Almost got burned last year. Back then, I chased a new L2 incentive, and mining/claiming/selling was pretty smooth. Then, toward the end of the year, I reviewed my records and found that my on-chain addresses had been mixed together—gas fees for which transaction completely didn’t line up with which…

I filled out the tax authority’s forms until midnight, cursing myself as I did it: every time it was only a few hundred u, and I used to think it would be too much trouble to keep things properly archived. Now, when I look back, I’ve ended up scrolling through Etherscan until I can’t see straight. Later, I learned my lesson. Every time I switch addresses, I add a note first; even for small amounts, I take a screenshot and toss it into cloud storage. For now, that’s just how I do it.

To put it plainly, what’s enjoyable about “mine/claim/sell” is the process. It’s only when it comes time to file taxes that you realize you’re like someone who set off without packing any luggage. Now when I see a new L1 airdrop, my first reaction isn’t to rush in—I stop and think: Is this address clean? Are the records easy to find?

I’ve kind of developed PTSD from it, but honestly, I deserved it.