Previously, promotions were associated with the participation of people in business.
For example, whalers did not receive wages. They were entitled to a share of the prey (whale oil) sold. An experienced sailor or harpooner received a larger share of the booty than an inexperienced cabin boy.
Stocks are currently the subject of speculation. They are less and less associated with a specific business. Stocks are an abstraction. Hence, stocks and cryptocurrencies are inherently very similar. Cryptocurrencies are public stocks. More precisely, financial assets (not all financial assets are stocks).
Both stocks and cryptocurrencies can be profitable.
And everything is gambling! If you chase higher payouts your risk more, for lower payouts the risk is lower, but the profit is lower too! For me, everything is first gambling, and then you can make subgroups... two main are lucky and skill-based games! Trading is a skill-based game, like dices are a lucky-based game.. I hope you get the point!
Gambling is gambling, but not all gambling games have the same rules, odds, risk levels, min, and max bets! And every house (exchange, casino) can have its own rules about the specific game!
Any of these games can be very profitable or can lead you to a financial disaster. And for me when you have both of these two options open you are gambling!
But will someone make or lose money on any of these games depends on the player as well... his knowledge of the game, experience, bankroll, goals... so it's about the game and you! One of the reasons I like to play a lot, excitement from trying to win the game, or to get busted in trying!