Most online certificate programs you can finish in a day, and they aren't hard. Just find the most prestigious name and pay them for the paper. It's a dumb hoop to jump through.
As you have non-traditional experience idk if employment services would help for exactly what you're describing. Honestly I've gotten a few finance jobs just from strategically socializing where the finance folks go. There's almost always a known bar that's the spot for financial industry. Don't get drunk yourself, do get them drunk 🤣
Make sure you have business cards that don't seem cheap. Make sure you're dressed and groomed to fit in with the other finance players. Do not look, act, or talk like you've ever been poor a day in your life. Get them to talk about themselves and WHAT A COINCIDENCE you are just like them. No matter what you or they are like 🤣
Create a mock investment strategy (you're consulting for a friend!) and force it into conversation. "It's just so frustrating because although my portfolio has a X amount of profit margin, he's still skeptical because I learned from experience instead of swallowing liberal university propaganda" Obviously cater this to the person you're talking to, but it is honestly a fantastic way to network.
For the time being, I would keep Bitcoin in your back pocket. Bitcoiners are a bit of a joke in the industry (I say as both a bitcoiner and a financial analyst). You're going to need to prove yourself in more boring work first. It'll be frustrating because it is a lot of kissing ass, but don't you want that sweet sweet cash money this is what we all had to do 🤣
