When Crypto Becomes a Religion: 3 ‘Cults’ Fuel 2025’s Market Narrative

In 2025, crypto investment behavior has increasingly reflected a shift toward belief systems that resemble religious conviction. Rather than relying on fundamentals or risk assessment, some investors are guided by ideals rooted in faith, ideology, or visions of transformative change.

This development, visible in movements ranging from Bitcoin (BTC) maximalism to Pi Network’s (PI) GCV believers convinced of six-figure valuations, highlights how financial decisions are being shaped by collective narratives and symbolic meaning.

The Cult-Like Belief Systems Driving 2025’s Crypto Cycle

Shilling has always been a part of crypto culture, with influencers, traders, and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) pushing coins through social media posts. But what we are seeing in 2025 takes it a step further. 

This is no longer just about hyping a token for short-term gains — it has transformed into something closer to religious conviction. 

1. The Case of YoungHoon Kim

A notable case is YoungHoon Kim, a South Korean entrepreneur with a world-record IQ of 276, verified by organizations including the Official World Record and World Memory Championships. 

Kim, founder of the United Sigma Intelligence Association, has converted his entire wealth into Bitcoin, calling it the ‘ultimate hope for the future economy.’

“Future Economy: According to my theoretical analysis, within the next 10 years, Bitcoin will increase at least 100 times and be universally adopted as the ultimate reserve asset,” he predicted.

Kim’s rhetoric intertwines cryptocurrency with divine purpose. He declared himself the ‘second Satoshi Nakamoto’ and vows to establish global churches in Jesus Christ’s name while supporting the ‘Make America Great Again’ agenda. 

“As the world’s highest IQ record holder and Grand Master of Memory, today I decide to found the 2nd Bitcoin as the 2nd Satoshi Nakamoto,” Kim wrote in another post.

Critics, including skeptics, question his IQ claims and motives, but Kim’s influence persists among followers drawn to his messianic narrative. 

2. Murad Mahmudov and SPX

Similarly, crypto trader Murad Mahmudov exemplifies this faith-driven persistence. Despite an 82% portfolio drawdown earlier in 2025, Mahmudov has held firm, with over 95% of his assets in SPX6900 (SPX), a meme coin. 

He predicts SPX could hit $1,000. This, in turn, would propel him into the world’s top 100 richest individuals, valuing his nearly 30 million tokens at $30 billion. Mahmudov frames SPX as blending Bitcoin’s HODL ethos with countercultural elements from XRP. 

The more Money they print, the less investors will care about cashflows, and the more they will care about the quasi-religious, Community, Belief-driven aspects of various Assets.I have chosen to believe in the SPX6900 Movement, which will be the defining movement of our era.

— Murad 💹🧲 (@MustStopMurad) September 28, 2025

His continuous promotion has driven huge gains for SPX, though detractors warn of unsustainable hype. 

3. Pi Network’s GCV Movement

The Pi Network’s Pioneers under the Global Consensus Value (GCV) movement further illustrate this phenomenon. Despite Pi Coin’s price struggles, adherents push for a $314,159 valuation per coin, symbolically tied to the mathematical constant pi, implying a market cap exceeding global GDP by orders of magnitude. 

“The destination is now clearly in sight. There is no more doubt – GCV (1 Pi = 314,159 USD) is the path to the future that truly honors all the years we have mined and safeguarded Pi,” a GCV developer stated.

Led by figures like Doris Yin, the movement views Pi as a life mission for financial empowerment, organizing conferences, and urging real-world transactions at this price. 

🚨 Core team signals are clear #PiNetwork will align with GCV value. They’ll never officially say “GCV is coming” because Pi is decentralized & beyond SEC’s act. But smart pioneers must catch these signals & stay ready for the future ❤️✨ #Pi pic.twitter.com/sIsiNcZckN

— Shah rah π (@shrh56108161) October 2, 2025

However, many argue that these unrealistic beliefs stop people from supporting PI’s real economy, and instead, they weaken the project while the price keeps falling.