It's true that the crypto space is still a very much open avenue to making money and becoming financially independent. But in these current days, it's easier to succeed in the crypto space when you have a decent amount to start with, or should I say, when you already have some capital. In as much as acquiring knowledge, and studying, and doing other stuffs are very important, the most basic essential to starting crypto and hitting a massive height is by having a good amount to start with. In other sense, it's just like using money to make money.
Buying/hodling and trading are practically two ways of hitting a massive financial height in the crypto space, but we all know that those who purchase with greater amount or trade with greater amount makes a greater profit. The days when one can rely on airdrops are gradually fading due to the high numbers of shitty projects that we have these days.
So, whether it be buying/holding or trading, I feel the most important thing is having a decent amount to start with, and also enough to keep going. But as I said, knowledge(and maybe experience), is also a crucial part of it.