Client Intelligence

Joseph "Joe" Gildersleeve
Completed Curriculum · Re-activation #1
Status
⚡ ✓ ⏸
Client Status
⚡ In Progress / Active Training
Currently working through curriculum with regular coaching calls.
✓ Completed Curriculum ← Current Status
Finished all core training modules. Operating independently.
⏸ Disengaged
No recent contact. Not actively participating in coaching.
Skill Level
3/5
Skill Level Guide
2. Intermediate
Understands core concepts and can execute with support, but lacks consistency, confidence, or synthesis.
Primary questions: "Is this correct?", "Does this look right?", "What should I focus on?"
3. Advanced ← Current Level
Independently researches, executes, and adjusts strategies while reasoning about tradeoffs and outcomes.
Primary questions: "Why choose this over that?", "Downside?", "How does risk profile change?"
4. Expert
Mastery + synthesis + independent judgment across multiple market conditions. Systems-level thinking.
Primary questions: "Is edge valid now?", "Stress-test assumption?", "What breaks this?"
Navigation
5/5
Navigation Comfort (1-5)
This strictly measures general computer literacy, not DeFi knowledge.
4. Strong
Reads entire pages. Identifies next steps independently. Comfortable opening new tabs, explorers, dashboards. Rarely needs navigation help.
5. Excellent ← Current Level
Fully self-directed. Efficient multitasker. Anticipates next steps from UI. Never blocked by navigation.
Learning Speed
3/5
Learning Speed (1-5)
Measures how quickly a client understands and applies new concepts.
2. Learns After Multiple Examples
Needs several examples and repetition to understand. Can apply with guidance and reinforcement.
3. Average Pace ← Current Level
Grasps concepts with standard explanation. Applies learning at a steady, consistent rate.
4. Fast Implementer
Quickly understands and applies new concepts. Minimal repetition needed. Implements between calls.

Core Profile

Financial Overview
Estimated Total $20,000+
Source Kraken exchange
Risk Tolerance Conservative to Moderate
Time Commitment Active
Deployment Strategy
Conservative, gradual scaling into proven positions. Started with test positions, scaled to meaningful capital. Focus on quality over quantity.
Technical Setup
Browser Wallets MetaMask, Phantom, NewFi
Hardware Wallet Trezor (with passphrase)
Primary Network Arbitrum One
Other Networks Solana, Ethereum, Polygon, Base
Security Approach
Excellent security practices. Passphrase protection enabled. Focuses on Arbitrum for simplicity despite multi-network capability.
Personal Context
Family Married with grandchildren
Location Michigan
Background Military - submarine force
Considerations Vision challenges, estate planning
Key Insight
Nuclear systems background drives high data integrity expectations and methodical approach. Concerned about spouse's ability to access crypto assets.

Active Positions Portfolio

Pair Network Size Range APR Est. Status & Notes
WBTC / WETH Arbitrum One $3,000 26.65 - 36.92 ~22% Rebalanced, in range. Initially went out due to ETH outperformance (May 2025)
WETH / USDC Arbitrum One $3,000 ~3057 - 4365 48%+ Active. Wide range to account for ETH volatility during bull market
ARB / USDC Arbitrum One $3,000+ 31.29 - 36.47 43% Active. Client added $2K more independently between sessions
WETH / LINK Arbitrum One $2,000 163 - 209 75%+ Recently opened (July 2025). 0.3% fee tier, high correlation (0.76), added for diversification

Technical Competency Analysis

Technical Strengths
  • Excellent at following security protocols (test transactions, address verification)
  • Successfully troubleshoots connectivity and technical issues independently
  • Strong understanding of support/resistance levels for range selection
  • Creates detailed spreadsheets to track research and positions
  • Comfortable with multiple wallets and cross-network transfers
  • Patient with technical difficulties and persistent
  • Good attention to detail (military background - submarine force)
  • Successfully performs token swaps and consolidation
  • Understands correlation, APR estimation, and rebalancing concepts
  • Able to work independently between sessions (added liquidity on own)
Technical Challenges
  • Persistent network timeout issues during position entry (especially 11am-12pm)
  • Starlink internet caused VPN interference with Trezor Suite
  • Chrome browser high CPU usage during DeFi operations
  • Trezor Suite not discovering Solana wallet in passphrase initially
  • Multiple retry attempts typically needed for transaction confirmations
  • MetaMask confirmation delays and timeouts frequent
  • Switched to mobile hotspot then T-Mobile 5G to resolve issues
  • Age-related vision challenges with small text on hardware wallet
Resolution Status
Most issues resolved through T-Mobile 5G upgrade. Challenges were environmental (connectivity) rather than capability-based.

Knowledge Assessment

Knowledge Strengths
  • Hardware wallet security and setup
  • Multi-wallet management
  • Cross-network token transfers
  • Position entry and rebalancing
  • Adding liquidity to existing positions
  • Token swapping and consolidation
  • Correlation and APR analysis
  • Price impact and slippage concepts
  • Gas fee management
  • Support/resistance technical analysis
  • Risk management (conservative positioning)
  • Pool research (volume/TVL ratios, fee tiers)
Knowledge Gaps & Next Steps
  • Alt season strategies and meme coin speculation
  • Advanced fee collection and compounding strategies
  • Bull vs bear market positioning tactics
  • More speculative DeFi plays
  • Identifying emerging tokens for 10X opportunities
  • Using research tools like bull market portfolio research site
Readiness Level
Ready to explore intermediate-to-advanced topics. Has mastered fundamentals and demonstrated independent operation capability.

Platform Proficiency

DeFi Platforms
Crystal/Krystal Advanced
Uniswap Intermediate
Radium Basic
Notes
Can navigate, enter positions, and add liquidity independently on Crystal. Uses Uniswap primarily through Crystal interface.
Wallets
MetaMask Advanced
Trezor Suite Intermediate
Phantom Basic
NewFi Basic
Exchanges
Kraken Intermediate
Notes
Comfortable with conversions and withdrawals. Made strategic decision to use Kraken over Coinbase to avoid $5K corporate fee.

Personality & Communication

Personality Traits
  • Patient and persistent with technical challenges
  • Conservative and risk-averse approach
  • Detail-oriented (military background)
  • Methodical researcher who uses spreadsheets
  • Values simplicity and proven strategies
  • Self-aware about knowledge limits
  • Good sense of humor during frustrating technical issues
  • Respectful of coach's time
  • Thoughtful about spouse's need to access funds if needed
Communication Preferences
Response Style Clear, patient technical explanations
Learning Style Visual learner, takes notes
Pace Methodical - prefers to understand first
Questions Thoughtful and clarifying
Feedback Style Direct but respectful, good humor

Goals & Motivations

Primary Goals

Wins & Achievements

Major Accomplishments

Recommended Next Steps

Action Items

Coach Relationship

Coaching Details
Primary Coach David
Coaching Style Fit Excellent - patient, technical, supportive
Communication Quality Clear and effective
Typical Session Length 60+ minutes
Coach Effectiveness High
Relationship Notes
Good rapport. Coach accommodates technical difficulties patiently. Provides strategic guidance and troubleshooting support. Sessions often run over due to technical issues.
Session History Summary
Total Sessions 8
Date Range April 2024 - July 2025
Session Frequency Weekly to bi-weekly, then monthly
Average Length 60-90 minutes
Primary Focus Position setup, technical troubleshooting
Notable Gaps
6-week gap between May 27 and July 14, 2025 (likely working independently)

Learning Progression Timeline

Session 1: April 24, 2024
Topics: Trezor hardware wallet setup with passphrase · Researching liquidity pools (volume/TVL ratios) · Understanding WBTC/WETH pairs · Crystal platform navigation · Network timeout troubleshooting
Wallet configured but unable to enter position due to timeouts. Network timeouts prevented position entry during call.
Session 2: April 23, 2025
Topics: Successfully entered first position ($2K WBTC/WETH) · Understanding out-of-range dynamics · ETH vs Bitcoin performance analysis · Rebalancing vs secondary position strategies · Researching WETH/USDC pools across networks · Entered WETH/USDC position (~$3K)
Two active positions established, understanding of range management. Position went out of range quickly, persistent timeout issues.
Session 3: May 5, 2025
Topics: NewFi wallet setup for Solana · Closing test positions across multiple wallets · Token consolidation strategies · Managing crypto dust · Cross-wallet transfers (MetaMask to Trezor)
Cleaned up ~$600 from test positions, organized wallet structure. Managing multiple small positions across networks was tedious.
Session 4: May 12, 2025
Topics: Final token consolidation · Swapping various tokens to USDC · Understanding wrapped tokens vs native tokens · Transfer confirmation and verification · Managing gas fees across networks
Fully consolidated to USDC for deployment flexibility. Small amounts not worth transferring (crypto dust economics).
Session 5: May 14, 2025
Topics: Trezor Solana wallet discovery issues · VPN/Starlink interference troubleshooting · Entering ARB/USDC position · Export public key process for Trezor · Network selection and connectivity optimization
ARB/USDC position entered, identified connectivity solution. Significant Trezor Suite technical issues with Solana discovery.
Session 6: May 22, 2025
Topics: Large capital transfer from Kraken ($4K+) · Rebalancing WBTC/WETH position · Adding liquidity to existing positions · Position sizing and scaling strategies · Network congestion and timing considerations
Successfully rebalanced and added significant capital to positions. Persistent timeout issues, long session due to technical delays.
Session 7: May 27, 2025
Topics: Phantom to Trezor Solana transfers · Kraken to Trezor Arbitrum transfers · Adding liquidity workflow · Position management best practices · Independent position management capabilities
Client demonstrated ability to add liquidity independently. Transaction confirmation delays but successfully completed.
Session 8: July 14, 2025
Topics: Deploying $10K new capital · WETH/LINK pool research and analysis · Correlation analysis (0.76 for WETH/LINK) · Network selection (Arbitrum vs Sonic) · Fee collection strategies for alt season · Bull/bear market positioning strategies
Opened WETH/LINK position ($2K), planned remaining $8K deployment, upgraded to T-Mobile 5G. Technical connectivity remained challenging but improved with T-Mobile.
Key Insights
  • Client has strong technical foundation but persistent connectivity challenges require patience
  • Conservative approach has served him well - all positions profitable with reasonable APRs
  • Military background contributes to disciplined, methodical approach to crypto investing
  • Successfully transitioned from multiple test positions to consolidated, meaningful positions
  • Able to work independently between sessions demonstrates growing confidence and competence
  • Network/connectivity issues are environmental (Starlink VPN) not user error - resolved with T-Mobile
  • Strong research skills and spreadsheet tracking indicate serious investor mindset
  • Focus on Arbitrum network for simplicity is smart given technical challenges
  • Ready to explore more advanced strategies (alt season, fee optimization) but proceeding cautiously
  • Excellent example of patient, persistent client who has mastered fundamentals despite obstacles
Overall Assessment
Summary
Joseph Gildersleeve is a strong, advanced client who has successfully navigated technical challenges to build a solid, conservative DeFi portfolio. Despite persistent connectivity issues, he has demonstrated patience, persistence, and growing independence. His military background contributes to his disciplined, detail-oriented approach. He has successfully deployed $20K+ across four positions on Arbitrum, all showing positive returns. His conservative risk tolerance and focus on proven strategies has served him well. He is ready to explore more advanced topics like alt season positioning and fee optimization strategies. His main limitation is environmental (connectivity issues, which he has resolved) rather than capability. He represents an ideal client who has mastered the fundamentals and is ready for intermediate-to-advanced strategies while maintaining appropriate risk management. His attention to estate planning and documentation for his spouse shows mature financial thinking.
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