David Mondore spent over ten years managing food operations in New York City before entering crypto markets in 2020. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down restaurants across the city, he left behind a leadership role in a multi-location food group and began trading full-time. What began as a practical pivot evolved into a long-term career in digital asset markets.
Mondore’s background in hospitality began right out of high school. He moved to New York intending to attend culinary school but instead started working immediately. He joined a growing fast-casual chain, initially handling prep and store operations. Over the next decade, he advanced to corporate chef and eventually director of food and beverage, overseeing recipe development, supply chains, and production across all store locations.
By the time the company expanded to over a dozen outlets, Mondore was managing centralized kitchen operations and coordinating logistics for multiple units. The business model—fast-paced, scalable, and quality-focused—demanded discipline, process thinking, and adaptability. When the pandemic hit, the company contracted rapidly. Like many in the industry, Mondore was forced to act quickly.
He explored online income streams and soon transitioned into digital assets. His entry point was NFT trading communities, where he engaged with blockchain-based collectibles and began learning decentralized market behavior. Early exposure to platforms like NBA Top Shot helped him recognize patterns in demand, scarcity, and exit timing.
As the market evolved, Mondore moved beyond NFTs into Ethereum-based tokens and, later, meme coins—seeking out assets with greater liquidity and faster execution. NFTs often required a waiting period to sell; meme coins, in contrast, could be traded instantly. This speed aligned better with his short-term approach.
“Meme coins move fast. You don’t wait for a buyer. You either make the trade or you miss it,” he said.
To operate in this space, Mondore relies on blockchain analytics tools to monitor token launches, assess contract safety, and track liquidity activity. He avoids tokens with suspicious structures, unusual wallet behavior, or opaque ownership. His trades are based on real-time data, not sentiment.
While many traders chase hype or follow influencers, Mondore takes a self-directed approach. His process is structured around technical signals, risk thresholds, and capital preservation. Each position is evaluated in advance—if it doesn’t meet the criteria, he moves on.
He also prioritizes custody and security. Mondore uses hardware wallets to manage his assets and avoids centralized exchanges. He considers self-custody essential to any serious trading practice. “Exchanges are convenient until they’re not,” he said. “If you’re serious about crypto, you need to own your storage.”
Discipline drives his trading system. He defines entry and exit points before executing, limits position sizes, and does not chase losses. Losses are closed without hesitation; wins are locked in with clear targets. “You don’t need to win every trade,” he said. “You need to manage exposure and protect your edge.”
He continues to trade full-time and does not promote coins, sell courses, or operate paid groups. His focus remains on refining his execution, scanning for opportunities, and adjusting to market conditions.
For Mondore, consistent performance comes from preparation. He believes success in crypto has less to do with luck and more to do with understanding how smart contracts work, where liquidity flows, and how to act before the crowd.
“Most of the risk comes from not knowing what you’re looking at,” he said.
Today, Mondore trades daily across decentralized platforms, maintaining a private footprint and emphasizing speed, accuracy, and autonomy. In a market driven by speculation, his focus remains constant: eliminate noise, protect capital, and execute with clarity.
