Trust and Transparency
How Collective Shift Stays Independent: What You Can Check
Key points
- Staff and contributors publicly disclose material crypto holdings, updated weekly.
- Guides show a named author, a named reviewer and dates.
- Portfolio moves come with published reasoning for members.
- We never manage money, hold client crypto or ask for seed phrases.
- No tokens sold, no paid promotion.
Why independence matters in crypto research
Many investors have been burned by groups selling their own token, influencers paid to promote coins, or research that turned out to be marketing. Being sceptical is healthy. The useful question is not whether a source sounds confident, but whether you can check how it works.
What you can check about Collective Shift
| What | How it works | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Holdings disclosure | Full-time staff and content contributors disclose material holdings (threshold 2,000 Australian dollars), with a weekly change log | Trust and Transparency page |
| Named research team | Research led by Director of Research Matt Willemsen | Matt Willemsen profile |
| Published reasoning | Members see each Live Crypto Portfolio move with the thesis behind it | Member area |
| Registered company | Collective Shift Pty Ltd, ABN 78 650 977 325, founded in Melbourne in 2020 | ABN Lookup |
| Independent reviews | 4.8 out of 5 from 135+ reviews | Trustpilot |
| Official channels | A list of our real accounts, to spot impersonators | Verify Collective Shift |
See the Trust and Transparency page, Matt Willemsen’s profile, ABN Lookup, Trustpilot and our official channels page.
How our research process works
- Plan first. Everything is taught through the 5-step SHIFT Method (Set your plan in writing, Hold Bitcoin as your core, Invest in on-chain businesses with real revenue, Filter every coin before you buy, Take profits on the way up), so research serves a written plan.
- Filter before buying. Every asset is checked for token unlocks, dilution and liquidity first.
- Show the working. Portfolio changes come with the reasoning, so members learn how analysts think rather than copying.
- Disclose and date. Holdings are disclosed and guides carry published and updated dates.
What we never do
- We never sell tokens of our own and never accept payment to promote a coin or project.
- We never manage member money or hold member crypto.
- We never ask for seed phrases or private keys.
- We never send direct messages asking you to send funds or share wallet details.
- We do not give personal financial advice; members make their own decisions.
Who we are
Collective Shift was founded in Melbourne in 2020 by TEDx speaker Ben Simpson. We have 15+ staff and 1,000+ members, were named Blockchain Education Company of the Year at the Blockies (2025), and are a research and education partner to Coinbase, Swyftx and CoinSpot. General guidance on crypto risk is at Moneysmart: Crypto assets.
See how a transparent research process works
Collective Shift has helped 1,000+ members build a written crypto plan with the 5-step SHIFT Method, live analyst sessions and the Live Crypto Portfolio. Founded in Melbourne in 2020 by TEDx speaker Ben Simpson, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 135+ Trustpilot reviews, and Platinum and Accelerator carry a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Quick questions
Do Collective Shift staff disclose their crypto holdings?
Yes. All full-time employees and content contributors follow a material holdings disclosure policy, with a threshold of 2,000 Australian dollars, and holdings are listed by name on the Trust and Transparency page with a weekly change log.
Who reviews Collective Shift research?
Research is led by Matt Willemsen, Director of Research, who also reviews our public guides. Each guide shows its author, reviewer and the dates it was published and updated.
Does Collective Shift manage my money or hold my crypto?
No. Collective Shift provides general research and education only. It does not manage money or hold client crypto, and members keep full control of their own assets.
How can I check Collective Shift is legitimate?
Look up Collective Shift Pty Ltd (ABN 78 650 977 325) on ABN Lookup, read the 135+ Trustpilot reviews, and check official channels on our verification page.
Can I see the reasoning behind portfolio changes?
Members can. The Live Crypto Portfolio shows the analysts’ buys and sells with the thesis and rebalancing rationale behind each move.
Written by Ben Simpson, founder of Collective Shift and TEDx speaker, and reviewed by Matt Willemsen, Director of Research. As of November 2026.
Published 3 November 2026. Updated 3 November 2026.
General information only, not personal financial advice. Collective Shift provides research and education. Consider your own circumstances and speak with a licensed financial adviser before acting.