How I Went from a Toxic Job to Building a Free App That Empowers Traders
For nearly seven years, I worked a job that started with promise but turned into one of the most draining experiences of my life. I joined a local government contractor in New York City in 2014 as a developer and UX designer, building tools that helped fellow New Yorkers. On paper, it sounded fulfilling (and in many ways, it was). The clients loved my work, I enjoyed collaborating with them, and I got along well with my coworkers. I felt genuinely grateful to be building tools that made a real difference in people's daily lives. I was even recognized as a top performer on record. But behind the scenes, I was dealing with a boss who made my life a living hell.
Despite the praise and positive feedback, I was constantly bullied. It felt like no matter what I did, I was walking on eggshells. Eventually, I realized my boss was setting me up to be fired under the guise of "Covid-related layoffs." It was a low point in my life, but it was also the push I needed to take control of my future.
The Turning Point
I had always been interested in trading and had spent years studying charts and testing strategies. It wasn't easy (I lost money at first, like most people do when they're learning). But after about four years of trial and error, I started to see consistent success. So, when I sensed that my job was on the line, I used my savings strategically, keeping most as an emergency fund while dedicating a small portion to longer-timeframe trading. Instead of getting caught up in the stressful world of day trading, I focused on analyzing weekly and monthly charts, looking for high-probability setups that would play out over weeks or months. This meant placing only a few well-researched trades per week, which was not only less stressful but also helped me avoid the noise and volatility of shorter timeframes.
When the layoff finally happened in October 2020, I was ready. I had already been making progress with my trades, thanks to tools like TabTrader. The severance and unemployment benefits helped, but it was my trading income that kept me afloat for over a year after those ran out. It was empowering to know that I could support myself without relying on a toxic job.
The Birth of CryptoGain
But as much as I appreciated the tools that helped me succeed, I started to notice their limitations. TabTrader, for example, kept adding restrictions to their free version, and the premium costs were a barrier for many people. I realized that these tools weren't designed for everyone (especially beginners or those who just wanted to dip their toes into trading with a small investment).
That's when I decided to build my own app. On January 3, 2021, I started working on CryptoGain. I wanted to create something that was not only powerful and flexible but also accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget. I wanted to give people the tools I had used to succeed, without the high costs or restrictive paywalls.
There were also deeper personal reasons driving this decision. With the advancement of AI and weak labor laws, I realized there's little real security in traditional employment anymore. Companies are increasingly likely to replace employees with AI to cut costs, regardless of performance or loyalty. I figured building something for myself that could generate income now and in the future, while helping others, offered better long-term security than finding another employer. Plus, it meant never again having to deal with a toxic boss who could bully me daily, crushing my spirit and turning me into someone I wasn't – someone who dreaded waking up each morning.
My inspiration for this path came partly from my stepdad, who I consider my real Dad. He's been in my life since I was seven or eight, and while I never called him Dad out loud, he's been more of a father to me than my biological father ever was. Blood doesn't make someone a dad. It's the effort, hard work, and time spent raising and respecting your kids that earns that title.
He showed me what true entrepreneurship looks like. While keeping one job for benefits, he ran his own auto collision center as a one-man operation. His business became his primary focus and provided the security our family needed. He built his success through incredible hard work, so much that it eventually took a physical toll, leaving him disabled with a bad back and crumbling spinal discs. But what truly inspired me was how he built his reputation in the community. He was always fair with people, maintained perfectionist standards with his craft, and treated everyone with respect. The security and good name he built through his business became my blueprint for CryptoGain: creating something of value that could support me while helping others, all while maintaining high standards and treating users with respect.
The Journey to Launch
Building CryptoGain wasn't easy. As a solo developer, I handled everything from UX design and development to testing, branding, and marketing. The biggest challenge was creating an efficient charting system. After extensive testing and reverse engineering various libraries, I made a tough decision late in development to rebuild the charting system with a newer library that offered better performance and maintainability. This foundation has allowed me to continuously optimize and expand the app's capabilities. After 3.5 years of development, I released the Android version on July 24, 2024. Currently, I'm working on the iOS version while adding new Android features like drawing tools and order books, always focusing on maintaining peak performance.
But every challenge has been worth it. CryptoGain is more than just an app to me; it's a way to help others avoid the struggles I faced. It's a way to give people the tools they need to take control of their financial future, without the fear of being exploited or overcharged.
What Makes CryptoGain Different
CryptoGain is designed to be accessible, privacy-focused, and empowering. Here's what sets it apart:
No Paywalls: All technical indicators are included, and users can add as many as they want without restrictions.
Privacy First: Unlike other platforms, CryptoGain doesn't track your watchlists, trades, or portfolios. Your data is yours and yours alone. You never have to worry about your trading data being collected, analyzed, or traded against.
Affordable Premium: The premium subscription simply removes a single banner ad and increases limits on watchlists, portfolios, and price alerts.
ETH Wallet Tracking: You can securely track your Ethereum and ETH-based token holdings by simply entering a wallet address or scanning its QR code (no account required). This is completely read-only - you're never importing or connecting your actual wallet. Plus, you can manually track any other coins from our list of over 1,200 supported cryptocurrencies.
Multilingual Support: The app supports 19 languages, including RTL languages, making it accessible to a global audience.
Why This Matters to Me
I built CryptoGain because I know what it's like to feel powerless (whether it's in a toxic job or in a market that feels stacked against you). I wanted to create something that gives people a sense of control and empowerment. Trading can be intimidating, especially for beginners, but it doesn't have to be. With the right tools, anyone can learn, grow, and succeed.
Join Me on This Journey
If you're tired of overpriced charting tools and want a better way to trade, I invite you to try CryptoGain. It's free, it's powerful, and it's designed with you in mind. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced trader, I hope CryptoGain can be the tool that helps you take the next step in your trading journey.
Download CryptoGain (Play Store) for free today and see the difference for yourself. And please don't hesitate to reach out with suggestions for new indicators or features. I'm always open to adding popular indicators that aren't yet included. Let's make trading accessible for everyone.
