Cristal Challenge Champ: Our Own Mark Wilkes Scores a 102.79% Return

Four years later, the Cristal Challenge is no longer a small experiment. It’s a celebration of courage, curiosity, and connection, now with over 400 people now choosing five JSE-listed stocks and following their performance together.

What makes this challenge so powerful isn’t who finishes on top. It’s the reminder that investing doesn’t belong to the elite. That ordinary people, from couples picking stocks over coffee to seasoned investors trying something new, can all find their place in the market.

Gold shares and a first-place finish

One of the most compelling stories this year came from Mark Wilkes. As of 31 October, Mark held 1st place in the Cristal Challenge. Along with other top players Neville Curtayne and David Hedges.

And among those winning picks? Purple Group, home to EasyEquities — made the cut.

It’s a quiet kind of poetic justice: someone backing a business built on democratising investing… and placing as a top finalist because of it.

Why fun is a serious investing strategy

The magic of the Cristal Challenge is that it makes learning feel like play.

You’re not staring at spreadsheets. You’re watching real-world stories unfold through the shares you picked. You’re experimenting. Comparing. Reflecting. And yes, you’re probably a little competitive, too.

At EasyEquities, that’s exactly how we see it. Learning to invest doesn’t need to be cold or corporate. It can be curious, communal, even joyful. The stakes feel real, but the format feels safe.

There’s no right way to invest, just your way

This year’s leaderboard is full of lessons. Some people went for momentum. Others went mining. A few trusted tech. One winner chose Purple Group.

That’s the point: there’s no single formula. The best investment strategy is one that reflects your thinking, your goals, your gut.

And that’s what we’re all about. At EasyEquities, we give you the access, tools, and flexibility to make investing yours, not someone else’s version of it.

Leadership looks like this

Huge kudos to David Shapiro and the Sasfin Wealth team for turning a small idea into a platform for growth, learning, and shared wins.

From ten players in 2021 to 430 in 2025, the Cristal Challenge is a case study in what happens when you make the market more accessible, and more human.

It’s not just about who wins. It’s about who starts.

Thinking of giving it a go?

If you’ve ever wondered what investing feels like when it’s not hidden behind jargon or gatekeeping, the Cristal Challenge is proof: it can be fun, rewarding, and surprisingly personal.

Maybe next year, it’ll be your story we’re telling.

And whether you’re already an EasyEquities user or still finding your feet, there’s space for your strategy here.

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Any opinions, news, research, reports, analyses, prices, or other information contained within this research is provided by an external contributor as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice for the purposes of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002. First World Trader (Pty) Ltd t/a EasyEquities (“EasyEquities”) does not warrant the correctness, accuracy, timeliness, reliability or completeness of any information (i) contained within this research and (ii) received from third party data providers. You must rely solely upon your own judgment in all aspects of your investment and/or trading decisions and all investments and/or trades are made at your own risk. EasyEquities (including any of their employees) will not accept any liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage, including without limitation, any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on the market commentary. The content contained within is subject to change at any time without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.