[Part 1/2] Published: January 18, 2026 I was brought into a Dubai-based crypto project to help with fundraising conversations for a real-world-asset token backed by physical commodities. On paper, it was solid. The assets were real and independently verified by a Swiss commodities verification firm. Documentation was clear and provided promptly. My not-small fee was paid upfront, which is usually a good indicator of seriousness. Nothing about it felt sloppy or rushed, which is where these projects usually unravel. But I also knew from experience that launching a structure like this takes far more than verified assets and clean paperwork, and that awareness stayed with me as the work progressed. What followed wasn’t dramatic in the way people expect. There were no blow-ups and no obvious villains... 👉🏼 Just a sequence of small decisions and micro-details that redirected what could have been a $50m+ launch, to dying a slow death. By the end this deal changed how I approached funding, negotiations, and who I do work with - forever. ---- To read the full edition go to the Newsletter Classroom! If you aren't already a subscriber, it's pay-what-you-want. Sign up here to get immediate access: https://jewelietgrace.com/newsletter

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