Cobie is a prominent figure in the crypto space known for his market analysis, commentary, and role as a podcast host at UpOnly. His real name is Jordan Fish, and he has gained a significant following for his candid insights and deep understanding of the digital asset market. ^{[5] [6]}

Early Life & Career

Jordan Fish, known publicly as Cobie, was born and raised in the United Kingdom. He developed an early interest in technology, gaming, and online communities. He pursued higher education at the University of Bristol, where he studied Computer Science, gaining technical knowledge relevant to blockchain networks and cryptographic security ^[1].

Following his university studies, Fish worked in the tech industry, focusing on product management and growth roles at various startups. His work involved scaling online platforms, digital payments, and user engagement strategies, providing him with experience in building and managing digital products. This background in technology and digital systems laid the groundwork for his later involvement in the cryptocurrency ecosystem ^[1].

Entry into Crypto

Cobie's initial engagement with crypto began with Bitcoin in the early 2010s. Recognizing its potential, he became increasingly involved in the space, exploring altcoin trading, DeFi projects, and decentralized applications. He viewed altcoins as high-beta assets that could potentially help accumulate more Bitcoin and later Ethereum ^[1].

His ability to articulate complex financial concepts and his direct communication style helped him gain visibility within the growing online crypto community. By the mid-2010s, he had transitioned fully into the crypto industry, making early investments and building a reputation for his market analysis and commentary ^[1].

Activities and Influence

Cobie is recognized as a significant figure in the crypto community, acting as an investor, analyst, and commentator. He has cultivated a substantial following through his market insights and commentary on industry developments. His expertise spans blockchain technology, decentralized finance (DeFi), and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) ^[1].

He is known for his understanding of crypto market cycles and has a reputation for identifying trends and critiquing questionable practices within the industry. His commentary is often characterized by a blend of technical understanding, humor, and a focus on transparency ^[1].

Notable Milestones

Maxcoin Creation

One of Cobie's early ventures in the crypto space was his involvement with Maxcoin, a Bitcoin fork launched in 2014 in collaboration with Max Keiser. The project aimed to offer improvements over Bitcoin, utilizing the Keccak hashing algorithm. Despite initial interest, Maxcoin faced challenges with adoption and price stability, eventually becoming less prominent. This experience provided Cobie with insights into the dynamics of launching and marketing a cryptocurrency and the influence of hype in the market ^[1].

Contribution to Lido

Cobie was an early supporter and advocate for Lido Finance, a liquid staking platform. He publicly supported Lido's potential, particularly in the context of Ethereum's transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS). His endorsements and investments contributed to Lido's early growth and its establishment as a major DeFi protocol by Total Value Locked (TVL) ^[1].

UpOnly Podcast

Cobie co-founded the UpOnly podcast with Brian Krogsgard (Ledger). Launched in 2020, the podcast became a notable platform for discussions within the crypto industry, featuring interviews with prominent figures such as Vitalik Buterin, Su Zhu, and Sam Bankman-Fried. The show was known for its in-depth conversations covering market trends, regulatory matters, and industry perspectives. The podcast's production was paused following the FTX collapse ^[1].

Role in Uncovering Insider Trading at Coinbase

In 2022, Cobie played a role in identifying potential insider trading activity related to token listings on the Coinbase exchange. By analyzing blockchain data, he highlighted suspicious transactions occurring just before public announcements of new listings. His findings contributed to an internal investigation at Coinbase and subsequent legal action by the U.S. Department of Justice, which led to charges and a conviction against a former Coinbase product manager for wire fraud and insider trading ^{[1] [2]}.

Impact of the FTX Collapse

The collapse of the FTX exchange in November 2022 had a notable impact on Cobie. Having previously interviewed Sam Bankman-Fried on UpOnly, Cobie was critical of the exchange's management and the events that transpired. He publicly stated that he had funds on FTX at the time of its collapse, resulting in losses. The event also led to a hiatus for the UpOnly podcast ^[1].

Views on Bitcoin and Altcoins

Cobie considers Bitcoin to be the foundational asset of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, viewing it primarily as a store of value or "digital gold." He values its decentralized nature and limited supply as characteristics that differentiate it from traditional financial assets ^[1].

Regarding altcoins, Cobie acknowledges that they present both opportunities and risks. He has used altcoins as a strategy to potentially increase his holdings in Bitcoin and Ethereum, viewing them as higher-beta investments. However, he has also expressed caution regarding many altcoin projects, noting that some may lack substantial use cases and can be driven primarily by speculation rather than fundamental value. He advises investors to conduct thorough research and be wary of projects promising unrealistic returns ^[1].

Cobie has shared his perspective on navigating the crypto market, emphasizing the importance of experience gained through market cycles.

He stated:

"I got lucky very early; I bought at really good times, and very early on, I made some good altcoin trades that set me in a profitable position. I thought probably I am really good at this thing called crypto trading. But anyone who thinks they are just good when they just started is wrong. If you manage to join in a bull market and manage to successfully trade altcoins, that doesn’t mean you are good at it." ^[5]