TL;DR: Earning in USDT is stable, but leaving it idle limits growth. After relying solely on Aave USDT staking for safety, I used a social audit platform to evaluate other Web3 projects more objectively. This article explains the criteria, data, and tools I used to diversify while staying risk-aware.
I have been freelancing for nearly two years and earning in USDT. Lower living costs in LATAM helped me build steady liquidity, but they also created a dilemma: how to grow surplus capital without exposing myself to unnecessary risk.
For almost a year, I kept all monthly savings, around $2,000, in Aave USDT staking. It was stable, but growth was limited. Over time, I realized that staying fully parked in “safe” yield meant missing higher quality opportunities.
While researching crypto scams on X (formerly Twitter), I came across OGAudit through a post focused on identifying red flags and improving transparency in Web3 rather than promoting a specific token. After observing the platform, I decided to use its tools to evaluate alternatives more objectively instead of relying solely on risk avoidance. The claim was solid: “No baseless claims, Fake enthusiasm, Exaggeration, No BS but organic expert user reviews” Cool!
In this article, I explain the criteria and tools I used, the assets I selected, and why OGAudit is now one of my most-visited Chrome bookmarks.
The Decision Tool: OGAudit, Here is why?
When I first landed on the OGAudit Crypto Research Hub, It felt like discovering the ‘Trustpilot of crypto’. At first glance, it resembles a traditional tracker like CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap, but it distinguishes itself by offering reviews and trust scores submitted by individual crypto social auditors. It has that sleek, dark-mode aesthetic, minimalistic UI packed with charts—providing all key coin and exchange data without the overwhelming complexity.
Plus, their Creative Crypto Blog is packed with articles explaining both basic and advanced concepts in a friendly way. I liked the recent one that talks about Top 7 Blockchain Privacy Solutions, although they do not publish articles everyday, once they do it’s worth reading.
Alt Text: OGAudit landing page trending crypto projects and top trusted coins]
Instead of pushing you to buy, OGAudit felt like an educational hub designed for careful decision-making. Alongside raw market data, project introductions, and links you also get access to:
- Expert User Insights: Reviews and scores from real crypto veterans.
- Clear Categorization & Filters: Quickly find specific Web3 solutions.
- Project Metrics: Detailed indicators to verify project health.
A Note for Beginners: While I’m already set with my own exchange, if you are new and looking for a reliable Crypto Exchange (CEX), I highly recommend checking the OGAudit Exchanges section for trust scores and verified reviews.
I didn’t trust blindly, because that would be against my nature, so I was planning to use the platform as a pre-selection filter.
Learning the Basics: My Due Diligence Framework
Let me walk you through the four core indicators I reviewed before moving a single USDT. I will briefly explain what each one represents, which should help you save time, as understanding these fundamental elements will make it easier to navigate OGAudit and identify potential opportunities and stay away from scam crypto projects.
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The 360° Health Check: OG Score & Radar Chart
I view these two indicators as a single, powerful system. The OG Score acts as my initial filter, while the Radar Chart helps me verify why a project got that score.
First: The Trust Thermometer (OG Score) Think of this as a “credit score” for crypto projects (0–100). It aggregates huge amounts of data into one number. It is my quickest filter: if I see a score below 40, I don’t even bother reading the project’s name; I just close the tab. For a conservative freelancer like me, a high OG Score (usually above 60) signals safety and established fundamentals. It tells me the project isn’t going to disappear overnight.
Second: The Personality Test (Radar Chart) Once a project passes the score filter, I look at the Radar Chart to see what’s driving that number. This visual hexagon breaks the score down into six key pillars: Security, Innovation, Team, Roadmap, Tokenomics, and Community.
This is invaluable because I can instantly see the project’s “personality”:
- Is it Hype? (High Community score, but low Innovation)
- Unique and Solid Tech? (High Security and Code Quality/Audits)
- Is it Sustainable? (High Team and Roadmap scores signals longevity)
If you ask me, I always look for a high “Security” spike on this chart before investing.
Alt Text: OGAudit evaluation metrics for Uniswap showing scores]
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Gem Score: The “Upside” Meter
This metric measures potential growth versus current hype. A high Gem Score suggests the project is undervalued or “hidden” relative to its fundamentals—meaning it has significant room to run. Conversely, a lower score does not always mean a project is bad; it often indicates it is already a “Blue Chip” or mature asset.
Note: A high Gem Score signals both opportunity and risk. If a promising project were risk-free, price discovery would already be complete, leaving little room for exponential gains.
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Verified Expert User Reviews: Real Human Feedback
This is the feature that actually sold me on the platform. Unlike Twitter, where bots, Influencers spam “To the Moon,” here you get reviews from Crypto OGs who have verified their wallet addresses with years of historical on-chain interaction with various blockchain platforms and different Web3 protocols. For example, one user dared to speak the unspoken regarding the Tron Network:
“with only 27 authorized validator nodes ( Super Representatives ) Tron is still a centralized network. and any negative news about Justin Sun or one of his inititatives could dramatically affect TRX value.
I still think it’s extremely overvalued and a useless chain which emerged because Ethereum was just not usable. since ethereum mostly figured out how to fight high gas fees now a Tx costs less than 10 cents. why would anyone use tron and pay per 1-2 usd worth of $trx over a CENTRALIZED network? both Tron network and $TRX is cooked”
alt tag: Tron Network user review from OGAudit
Meanwhile, another user @Critic left this positive take on Monero:
“Only dogs hate freedom. I stand for free speech and privacy.
at this point I dont think $XMR is a gem with high potential but I will continue to support and use Monero (XMR) as long as I can. Privacy is a human right, not a luxury and we are realizing this more every day.
As for hackers and bad actors hiding behind privacy, governments should take appropriate actions, but banning Monero is not the solution. There has always been money laundering and illegal activities through fiat cash as well.”
alt: monero coin user review at OGAudit)
Seeing such in depth and unbiased insights further increases my trust in OGAudit and the Crypto OG community.
While browsing, I also noticed a section that gave me extra peace of mind: the DEAD category.
I realized that Crypto OGs don’t just warn users about active projects with red flags; they also maintain a graveyard of failed ones. By keeping the gravestones visible, OGAudit ensures you don’t accidentally buy into a dead project thinking you’ve found a hidden gem. Because some of these coins are still being traded on some Major DEX and CEX as well!
New Portfolio Selection: RENDER
My filter strategy was simple: I needed a solid OG Score for safety, and most importantly, authentic reviews supporting my decision. RENDER checked every box. With the deployment of Compute Subnets on the horizon, the network is evolving from a tool for 3D artists (cloud graphics rendering) into a critical utility for AI training.
alt: OGAudit advanced crypto filters by category, og score and market cap
Why I chose the RENDER Cloud, Token: $RENDER
I want to make it clear: I wasn’t looking for a lottery ticket. That’s why this time I didn’t go for high-risk (high Gem Score) coins. I believe Render is the absolute backbone of the AI and Metaverse revolution. I am truly confident that in 2026 and beyond the world will need more computing power to process graphics and train Artificial Intelligence.
- The OG Score 70.76/100: This is a solid score and the validation I needed. It tells me the project’s fundamentals are established and secure even when the token´s price is falling.
- The Radar Chart: The hexagon showed impressive spikes in Security (74.07) and Innovation (72.78). It visually confirmed that this isn’t a “marketing coin”; it’s a heavy-tech protocol solving a real-world shortage of GPU power.
- The reviews: I read through the 6 verified reviews and found a clear consensus, but one specific comment gave me the confidence to place my bet: “… Audited by OpenZeppelin” That was the green flag I was looking for (ps. I double checked the audit report and confirmed it on openzepellin.com). Knowing that the security infrastructure had been vetted by top-tier auditors made me feel safe moving my funds.
- Solid Tokenomics: Scarcity and Reduced Sell Pressure: $RENDER has already passed its high-inflation phase, with approximately 518M of its 533M total supply currently in circulation. This significantly reduces ongoing vesting-related sell pressure. With the token trading around $1.43 compared to previous highs near $13 and a market cap of roughly $741M, the risk-to-reward profile appears favorable for long-term accumulation.
So as the data and Crypto OG community insights suggest I went for $RENDER token.
And Now What? My Next Moves
I see recent crypto market wide pullbacks as opportunities to accumulate gradually rather than signals of uncertainty. Where I once would have panicked, I now remain disciplined and focused on long term value rather than short term price action. I am investing in technologies I believe will matter beyond 2026, not chasing speculative narratives.
For this reason, I am not allocating capital to meme driven assets such as $LIBRA or $MELANIA, which score very low under OGAudit’s OG Score framework and do not meet my risk adjusted criteria.
My portfolio remains anchored in Aave USDT staking, complemented by my position in $RENDER. Another project on my watchlist is Cosmos Hub ($ATOM), which holds a strong 72.12 OG Score. Combining this with its low Gem Score (18.33) confirms it is a blue-chip asset and well established infrastructure rather than a speculative play. Despite the semi-bear market Cosmos Ecosystem still holds over $2 Billion TVL around yet I remain cautious due to inflation dynamics and slower market repricing.
For now, ATOM stays on my watchlist as I monitor conviction and timing. In parallel, I am also evaluating higher risk, higher growth alternatives such as $SEDA (A decentralized oracle programming network), which currently shows a significantly higher Gem Score 38.3.
This deliberate, score and expert insights driven approach has helped me stay selective, reduce emotional decisions, and focus on tools that prioritize transparency over promotion.
Alt Text: Cosmos Hub $ATOM project overview on OGAudit
A Heads Up: Room for Improvement
I love the research platform, but I have to say that they need to work on mobile loading speeds and historical charts as well.
My advice is to use OGAudit as your primary safety filter, but always verify market data independently and review the track record of the OG profiles that influence your decisions. Not all OGs are equal, and over time you will learn whose analysis aligns with your strategy. Also the number of verified experts is just 14, but that number is rising, I believe they can iron out this challenge over time.
While the platform saves significant research time, it is still evolving. Mobile loading speeds and historical chart depth need improvements, and I expect these friction points to be addressed as the platform grows.
If you are a veteran user with an established EVM wallet and years of on-chain history, the ecosystem benefits from your participation. Contributing as an independent Crypto OG Social Auditor helps improve transparency while building your own reputation within Web3.
Alt Text: reliable sources in crypto defillama ogaudit investopedia
Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor. The opinions expressed in this article are based on my personal experience and independent research as a retail investor. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile and involves significant risk. Always conduct your own due diligence (DYOR) or consult a certified professional before making any investment decisions. I may still hold or may have already sold positions in the assets mentioned at the time of reading!
