Editor’s Note
The foundation of the Shiba Inu ecosystem isn’t just built on code; it’s forged from the purpose, passion, and personal journeys of its community members. For this 82nd edition of The Shib, as we explore the theme “Building the Bedrock,” it is essential to hear from those who are actively laying the stones for our future.
We are proud to feature this personal account from “Skyhighcrypto,” a member of the Shib Army since the early days of just 10,000 holders. His story charts a powerful evolution: from an early investor swept up in the electric energy of a new movement to a dedicated contributor who found his calling not just in holding, but in building. Through his foundational work with Welly, the world’s first SHIB-branded business, and his active support for K9 Finance, a key utility on Shibarium, Skyhighcrypto’s journey is a living example of the transition from hype to tangible creation.
While the experiences and views expressed are entirely Skyhighcrypto’s own, his narrative provides a vital, ground-level perspective on what “Building the Bedrock” truly means. It’s a testament to how individual conviction can translate into collective progress, reminding us that the most enduring parts of this ecosystem are built with human spirit and unwavering commitment. We hope his journey from the sidelines to the front lines resonates and inspires.
The digital world of Web3 pulses with constant change, but sometimes, the most profound stories unfold in the quiet dedication of a single individual. This is a story of enduring belief, of navigating the exhilarating chaos, and ultimately, of transforming from an early adopter into a cornerstone. For one long-standing member of the Shib Army, their personal Shib breakthrough wasn’t a sudden spike on a chart, but a four-year journey of active contribution, reshaping their own path and helping lay the groundwork for an entire ecosystem.
Back in February 2021, the world looked a lot different. Crypto was booming, everyone was talking about “meme coins,” and the world was still trying to make sense of itself. That’s when I found my calling not in Bitcoin or Ethereum, but in something that felt more like a movement than an investment, Shiba Inu. That’s when I officially joined the Shib Army when it only had 10,000 holders.
I didn’t know then how deeply this would shape the next four years of my life.
In those early days, the energy was electric. Shiba Inu wasn’t just another coin; it was a community, a rebellion, a vision of what decentralized finance could look like when it’s powered by the people. We were underestimated, laughed at, called a joke, but we knew something others didn’t. We were building something bigger than ourselves.
I watched Shiba Inu grow not just in price charts, but in heart. The launch of ShibaSwap, the ecosystem expansion, with holding Shib, Leash, and Bone and then the launch of the metaverse land plots. There was a lot of hype buzzing around Shib, and I stood tall with my fellow holders.
The next phase in my Shib Journey was minting a Welly NFT available for early mint to Leash holders and Shiboshi holders in June of 2022. I was able to mint my First Welly NFT, but for me it wasn’t enough to just hold. I wanted to contribute. That’s where things took a real turn in my journey.
Welly wasn’t just a food brand. It was the world’s first fully SHIB-branded fast-food business, and I was honored to become part of their Social Outreach Team and helped with X spaces and making graphics to promote the project. Suddenly, I wasn’t just watching history happen. I was part of making it.
Through Welly, I connected with some of the most dedicated, creative, and driven people I’ve ever met. We weren’t just promoting a brand; we were representing a movement. We helped spread SHIB’s values of community, innovation, and decentralization to new audiences in ways nobody had imagined.
Being part of Welly showed me that crypto isn’t just about numbers and charts, it’s about people. About purpose. These people weren’t just teammates, they became friends, some of the closest I’ve made in this space. In a world that often feels disconnected, the Welly team made me feel grounded.
But my journey didn’t stop there.
Another chapter unfolded when I discovered K9 Finance, a liquid staking derivative platform built on Shibarium. I immediately resonated with its vision of bringing real DeFi utility to the SHIB ecosystem. The more I learned, the more involved I became.
Now, I’m an active supporter of K9 Finance, an official Shib project, not just cheering from the sidelines, but helping share its potential with the broader community. K9 brings a layer of innovation that I believe is essential to SHIB’s long-term future — offering staking options, greater liquidity, and ways to empower holders like never before.
Between my work with Welly and my involvement with K9, I’ve come to understand something deeper. This is bigger than crypto. It’s about legacy. It’s about reshaping how people interact with technology, finance, and one another. It’s about proving that community-first models work, and that those who dare to believe in them can help lead the way.
Of course, there have been tough times. The market doesn’t always reward faith immediately. There were moments when the noise got loud, when doubt crept in. But I never left. I never folded. I stayed because I believed in what we were building. I stayed because I saw the future through the fog.
And now, four years later, standing here in 2025, I feel the energy bubbling again. We’re on the edge of something massive. Shibarium is gaining traction. Real-world adoption is growing. Shib is laying the foundation for the next phase of our story.
People sometimes ask me, “Isn’t four years a long time to stick with a project?”
I smile. Because they don’t get it.
This isn’t the end of the journey.
This isn’t even the middle.
This is just the beginning.
Everything Shib has built, the community, the tools, the infrastructure, it’s all been prepared for the next wave of adoption, and the Shib Army is ready.
As for me — Skyhighcrypto — I’ll be right there with the Shib Army and with the community I love. Supporting, building, educating, connecting.
Because this isn’t just a token. This is a way of life.
This is Shib.
It has only just begun.
To the Shib Army, to the friends I’ve made, and to the future we’re still shaping — thank you. Let’s keep reaching sky high.
