The Psychology of Missing Disruptive Opportunities: Lessons from Carmelo Anthony's Regrets in Tech and Crypto

In 2025, NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony reflected on a career defined by precision and timing-on the court, at least. Off it, he admitted to squandering chances to invest in transformative assets like Google and cryptocurrencies, opportunities that could have reshaped his financial trajectory. "I wanted to invest in crypto years ago," Anthony told Fortune, "but others discouraged me from participating in the emerging trend" according to a 2025 report. His story is not unique. It mirrors a broader pattern in investor behavior: the tendency to hesitate, doubt, and ultimately miss disruptive opportunities due to psychological barriers.

The Carmelo Anthony Case: Regret as a Teacher

Anthony's regrets stem from two key decisions. First, he passed on early investments in tech stocks, including Google, which now represents one of the most lucrative long-term holdings in the market. Second, he hesitated to enter the crypto space despite initial interest, swayed by friends who dismissed it as a fad. These missed opportunities highlight a critical tension in investing: the conflict between instinct and external influence.

Anthony's experience aligns with behavioral finance research. A 2025 study on cryptocurrency investment attitudes found that "performance expectancy" and "perceived enjoyment" are strong predictors of investment intention, yet these are often overshadowed by fear of the unknown according to research. For Anthony, the fear of being "dissuaded by others" a form of social conformity bias-a form of social conformity bias-likely amplified his hesitation.

The Psychology of Hesitation: Why We Miss the Big Ones

Investor hesitation in disruptive assets is rarely rational. It is driven by a cocktail of cognitive biases and emotional responses. Consider the following:

1. Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) vs. Fear of Loss:
   FoMO drives investors to chase trends, but it also creates a paradox. Early-stage opportunities in crypto or tech often lack social validation, triggering a fear of loss instead. Anthony's friends, for instance, framed crypto as a risky gamble, shifting his mindset from curiosity to caution.

2. Overconfidence and Underconfidence:
   Overconfidence leads investors to ignore risks, while underconfidence paralyzes action. A 2024 study noted that personality traits like "openness" can moderate investment decisions: individuals high in openness are less likely to act on positive attitudes toward crypto, despite understanding its potential according to research. Anthony's openness to crypto was tempered by external doubt, a dynamic that derailed his decision.

1. Regulatory and Technological Uncertainty:
   Disruptive assets like crypto are often shrouded in regulatory ambiguity. Traditional investors, in particular, struggle with the technical complexity of blockchain, leading to inaction. Anthony, a high-profile athlete, likely faced similar challenges in navigating the nascent crypto landscape.

Broader Lessons: From Athletes to Institutions

Anthony's story is a microcosm of a macro trend. Consider the Equifax data breach of 2017, where leadership's lack of technological literacy led to a catastrophic failure in cybersecurity-a case study in how tech illiteracy amplifies risk according to a case study. Similarly, institutional investors have missed opportunities in AI and blockchain due to a "passive investment approach" exacerbated by robo-advisors, which automate decisions but also reduce engagement with volatile markets according to research.

The key takeaway? Disruptive opportunities demand a balance of courage and education. As behavioral finance research underscores, "attitude is the most significant determinant of investment behavior" according to a 2023 study. Anthony's regret-rooted in not trusting his instincts-serves as a cautionary tale for investors who prioritize consensus over conviction.

Conclusion: Trust the Gut, But Educate It

Carmelo Anthony's regrets are not just personal-they are a case study in the psychology of missed alpha. The barriers to early-stage investing are well-documented: fear, bias, and a lack of understanding. Yet the rewards for overcoming these barriers are immense. For investors, the lesson is clear: trust your instincts, but back them with research. As Anthony's story shows, the cost of hesitation can be measured in decades of lost growth.