Dillinger’s Big Bet: How a PBA Vet’s All-In Crypto Gamble Paid Off

Photo source: PBA Images

At 40 years old, Jared Dillinger is more than just a player for Barangay Ginebra; he’s a guiding figure, a “kuya” to his younger teammates, much like Udonis Haslem’s role in the NBA just before his retirement. With nine PBA championships and a storied career spanning over a decade, Dillinger’s basketball accolades are well-documented. Yet, during the pandemic, he ventured into a new arena, taking a high-stakes gamble that would redefine his financial future: cryptocurrency.

Like many athletes, Dillinger found himself with an unexpected surplus of time during the COVID-19 lockdowns. “The pandemic happened, everything stopped, so I had time,” he shared. “I had a finance background, and that led me to think I could crush it in the crypto space.” Armed with education in international business and finance from his college days at Hawaii, Dillinger dived headfirst into the volatile world of crypto investments.

And when he says “headfirst,” he means it. Dillinger went all in, pouring a figure up to eight figures – nearly his entire life savings – into Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. “Every month, I was just putting my salary in there. It was like my holding account,” he recounted. At a time when converting crypto back into pesos was cumbersome and risky, Dillinger was undeterred.

But like many newcomers to the space, he faced harsh lessons. “My first crypto bull run was crazy. Super crazy ups, super crazy downs. I didn’t know how to regulate my emotions,” he admitted. Dillinger oversaturated his investments, dabbling in 30 different coins and later shifting to NFTs as the market evolved. Inevitably, he experienced significant losses. “I lost a lot. And when I pretty much lost everything, I had to figure out how to make that money back.”

The Turning Point

What separates Dillinger’s story from many others is his resilience. Instead of retreating, he immersed himself deeper, working within the crypto industry to rebuild his finances. Over time, he refined his strategy, focusing less on quick trades and more on long-term investments. “If I was a young player, yes, I would be putting a portion of my salary – maybe 10 to 30 percent – into Bitcoin. Set it and forget it,” he advised.

The bet eventually paid off, tripling his initial investment, and turning eight figures into nine. “It would’ve been way more, but I lost a lot early on,” he admitted candidly. The experience gave Dillinger not just financial gains but also a wealth of knowledge he now shares with others.

Lessons for the Next Generation

Dillinger’s journey is one he hopes other athletes can learn from. “I try to get the young guys on Ginebra to invest, but they don’t want to do it unless something crazy happens,” he said. “When you’re young, you think you have time. That’s the biggest thing.”

He encourages athletes to take a measured approach, aligning investments with their financial capacity. “Don’t compare yourself. Comparing is the thief of joy,” he emphasized. “If you’re making ₱200,000 a month, maybe put ₱30,000 into Bitcoin. Let it ride. It’s not a race.”

Dillinger sees parallels between his crypto journey and his basketball career. Both require patience, resilience, and the willingness to learn from mistakes. “In basketball, you don’t become a champion overnight. The same goes for investing,” he said.

Beyond Basketball

As Dillinger’s playing career winds down, his foray into cryptocurrency has opened doors to other opportunities, from content creation to esports and business development in the digital economy. His story serves as a blueprint for athletes seeking financial security beyond their playing days.

“Crypto changed my life exponentially,” Dillinger said. “The good and the bad of it. But in Southeast Asia, working or investing in crypto can earn you tenfold more than the standard salary. It’s crazy, but it’s real.”

For Jared Dillinger, taking the risk was worth it. Now, he’s hoping to inspire the next generation of athletes to take smart, calculated risks of their own—and to see beyond the hardwood to the limitless possibilities ahead.