Oliver Lance De Leon is a Market Surveillance Officer and has been very active in the industry of crypto-trading and market growth.
What were you doing before Web3?
I am currently a market surveillance officer. Prior to this role, I worked at Coinbase. I was an active swing and positional trader.
My trading experience and market knowledge now serve me well in ensuring that the crypto market is fair and compliant for everyone.
I used to work as a stock rep, mainly dealing with concerns regarding equities. I then got curious, self-studied trading, and discovered crypto from there.
How did you get into Web3?
I got into Web3 while exploring opportunities beyond equities. Then, I stumbled upon cryptocurrency and found it fascinating. Since then, I’ve been happily lost in the rabbit hole of Web3.
What was your first crypto or NFT project?
My first crypto adventure was with XRP and BTC. I was a total boss at arbitraging XRP and taking delta-neutral positions on perpetuals on Binance.
I felt like a genius for being one of the few doing that at the time. I mean, who wouldn’t feel like they’ve cracked the code to financial freedom when they’re making money by just pressing a few buttons.
Howerver, that didn’t last long and I incurred some losses. So, I stuck to swing trading and long-term positions. Haha, I’ve started to trade more since.
How would you explain what you do to someone outside of Web3?
In simple terms, my job is to ensure that the market and order books are free from manipulation and inorganic price movements.
This means that traders can trade with peace of mind, knowing that they won’t be intentionally liquidated by a sneaky institution.
I monitor the market for any signs of wash trading, layering, spoofing, or other types of market abuse.
Which creator or thought leader do you enjoy learning from?
Arthur Hayes of Bitmex and Matt Levine, these two are the G.O.A.Ts when you’re trying to learn macroeconomics and market fundamentals.
What is the biggest highlight of your career so far?
One of the biggest highlights of my career so far has been securing the market surveillance role.
I am honored to be the first and currently only Filipino to hold this position. It required a great deal of dedication, including extensive studying, obtaining certifications, and conducting research.
I am proud of the hard work I put in to reach this point, especially considering my background as a college undergraduate.
What tech or crypto trend are you watching this year?
One crypto trend that I am closely following this year is the SEC vs Ripple case. I am also keeping an eye on regulatory compliance trends in various countries and markets.
Basically any developments that have the potential to significantly impact the crypto market.
What advice would you give someone starting out in Web3?
If you’re just starting out in Web3, my advice would be to hit the books and get some certifications under your belt.
Sure, it might not be the most exciting thing in the world, but trust me, it pays off. And don’t be shy about reaching out to others in the field for advice.
I remember messaging people on LinkedIn and asking them about how they got into their roles. It’s a great way to get some insider tips on breaking into the industry.
If you could do a TEDtalk on any topic, what would it be?
Probably something about crypto markets, price movements, market structure, order books etc.
I’m not really a strong advocate of technical analysis hahaha.
I think I’d like to see more people utilize different metrics and methods outside TA or maybe something to complement TA with.
What is the one thing you would bring if you were stuck on a deserted Island?
STARLINK! I’m getting off the island, sir. hahahaha
POW stands for “Proof of Work.” It is a new feature article series in The Mega Maxi to highlight the savviest builders in the Web3 space.
