From Humble Beginnings to Web3 Visionary
Meet Sam Lin, better known in the blockchain world as Lin Infinite—a self-made builder, early crypto miner, and passionate advocate for the next generation of Web3 innovators. His journey from a teenage warehouse worker in Shenzhen’s famed Huaqiangbei electronics market to a key contributor in multiple high-impact blockchain projects is not just inspiring—it's a masterclass in resilience, humility, and long-term vision.
At just 16, Sam began hauling mining rigs for local vendors, drenched in sweat after moving thousands of pounds of equipment daily. What started as survival soon turned into opportunity when he discovered the world of cryptocurrency mining. With no formal education and little capital, he and a relative pooled money from friends and family to buy secondhand ASIC miners. That decision marked the beginning of a five-year mining operation spanning 2015 to 2020—one that would eventually see him hold up to 10,000 Bitcoin at its peak.
But contrary to myth-making headlines, Sam emphasizes: “I wasn’t rich. Bitcoin was cheap back then. My lifestyle hasn’t changed—I still wear flip-flops and take the subway.”
The Real Story Behind His Crypto Entry
Sam’s entry into blockchain wasn’t driven by grand ambition but necessity and curiosity. Working in Huaqiangbei—a global hub for electronics and hardware innovation—he noticed recurring names on delivery slips: Antminer S1, R-Box, Avalon. These weren’t consumer gadgets; they were Bitcoin mining machines.
After conversations with factory clients who casually mentioned earning income through mining, Sam saw a path forward. Despite being a student with limited funds, he co-invested in used mining gear in 2015. The venture paid off—slowly. They broke even, reinvested profits, and kept operations running conservatively.
“We never joined the scams,” Sam recalls. “No selling faulty machines as new, no shorting miners for quick gains. We stayed honest, avoided greed, and focused on sustainability.” This principled approach helped them survive market crashes and regulatory crackdowns—unlike many peers who vanished overnight.
By 2020, increasing government restrictions led to the gradual shutdown of their mining business. While they exited without major losses, Sam reflects: “We didn’t get ultra-rich, but we made it through. And I’m still here, building.”
Building Tools That Power Web3 Innovation
Since stepping back from mining, Sam has transitioned into product development and community leadership. Over the past two years, he’s been a core contributor to several influential Web3 tools:
- Blockchain navigation platforms
- K-line analytics dashboards
- GameFi ecosystems
- RWA (Real World Assets) infrastructure
At its peak, one platform reached 80,000 daily active users, with over 200,000 monthly visitors and a top-three ranking on Google search results. As lead for external operations and growth strategy, Sam helped scale traffic and generate sustainable revenue.
Today, his team focuses on custom technical services for traders and Web3 projects—offering tailored data solutions beyond what platforms like Dune Analytics provide. From order book data procurement to high-performance node deployment, their work ensures precision in an environment where “a millimeter’s difference can mean miles of loss.”
“We’ve maintained stable primary data for over a year,” Sam says proudly. “And much of it remains free to use.”
Beyond infrastructure, he provides private trading support and asset management—though he humbly avoids labeling himself a “quant.” “I’m just good at handling trade logic,” he insists.
Mentorship, DAOs, and Empowering the Next Generation
Sam isn’t just building tools—he’s building people. As an advisor and ambassador for two emerging projects—one combining AI and Web3 with a Harvard-linked team, another tied to a domestic university—he shares expertise in marketing and tokenomics design.
More significantly, he co-founded LinkZDAO, a youth-driven incubator uniting Gen-Z entrepreneurs across Asia. Founded alongside peers like Jenny, Chris, Whale, Nova, Jeremy, and Sissi, LinkZDAO has become a launchpad for young innovators—some under 24 yet managing $200 million in liquidity.
“We’re not chasing money,” Sam explains. “It’s about seeing ideas grow.”
The DAO has earned official partner status at major industry events including Consensus, Hong Kong Web3 Week, Wuzhen Blockchain Conference, and Token2049.
Lessons from the Trenches: Risk, Resilience & Mindset
Sam’s journey hasn’t been smooth. Like many in crypto, he faced losses due to market volatility and emotional decisions. His strategy? Conservative risk management.
“I always cut losses early,” he says. “Better to lose 10% than everything.”
He once rode Bitcoin’s rise from mining-era lows to significant highs, cashing out portions strategically to reinvest in better equipment—a cycle resembling traditional business reinvestment.
But when China cracked down on mining, the dream cooled. “I didn’t go bankrupt,” Sam admits. “But I took serious hits.”
That experience reinforced his belief in patience, humility, and emotional discipline—values he now preaches widely.
“Success isn’t about IQ or luck alone. It’s about mindset: stay calm, act steady, correct fast.”
The Future: RWA and Beyond
Looking ahead, Sam sees immense potential in RWA (Real World Assets)—the fusion of traditional finance with blockchain technology.
“RWA lowers entry barriers,” he explains. “Imagine fractional ownership of real estate or funds via tokenization. It increases liquidity, creates arbitrage opportunities, and opens finance to more people.”
Though risks exist—regulatory uncertainty, valuation complexity—the upside excites him. “When assets flow freely, value circulates. That’s powerful.”
He also plans to expand offline ventures with partners from traditional industries. “Too much digital work disconnects us from reality,” he warns. “Balance matters—for health, for perspective.”
Final Words: Stay Grounded, Stay Curious
Sam’s philosophy boils down to three principles:
- No fear of hardship
- No fear of fatigue
- Think deeply
Despite early success and influence, he remains hands-on—writing科普 (popular science) articles, mentoring founders, attending meetups in flip-flops.
“I missed normal youth experiences,” he admits. “But I learned something deeper: anyone can build something meaningful—with patience, ethics, and relentless effort.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Lin Infinite accumulate 10,000 Bitcoin?
A: Through early mining operations between 2015 and 2020 using secondhand equipment. Most were sold during price surges to fund reinvestment or exited before major regulatory changes.
Q: Is Lin Infinite still involved in mining?
A: No. All mining operations were phased out by 2020 due to policy restrictions in China. He now focuses on product development and Web3 infrastructure.
Q: What is LinkZDAO?
A: A youth-led decentralized autonomous organization co-founded by Lin Infinite to support Gen-Z entrepreneurs in Web3 through funding access, mentorship, and technical collaboration.
Q: Why does he emphasize conservative trading?
A: Due to past losses from market volatility and emotional decisions. He advocates cutting losses early (e.g., 10%) rather than risking total capital.
Q: What are his views on RWA?
A: He believes RWA will revolutionize finance by tokenizing real-world assets like real estate or funds, increasing liquidity and accessibility while creating new investment cycles.
Q: Does he offer consulting or partnerships?
A: Yes—he collaborates with projects needing technical development, data architecture, or marketing strategy input, especially those aligned with Web3 innovation.