Even though crypto returns have been incredibly high this past few years, the market is still small and the technology is still sort of a niche, I mean, almost no one is still using blobkchain in large scale, so the room for growth is incredibly huge!

About the level of independence, being level 1 and reaching level is just a matter of good work and good planning, now, reaching the third level, the rich level is much more difficult because you need to find extremely good opportunities that aren't common.

As you say, crypto can make any level 2 person reach level 3, a lot of level 2 people are millionaires because they bought bicoin early on.

I really hope crypto keeps evolving and growing, because it will not only help us all here in this community, but it will also be good for the entire world, riches apart...

Having said this, I think your decision of getting involved in crypto is wise. I don't if you dare to make a prediction about the price of steem in January the first 2019 haha?

I have seen some crazy predictions for the next few years, even reaching a price of 100$ per steem that would be absolutely crazy.

Check the answer I got from @andrarchy here comparing ETH with Steem and explaining why steem might be better .

Cheers mate!