3. X marks the spot!
What sort of pirate would you be without a groaning chest full o' gold dubloons? Not a very good one. The best way to get rich in Sea of Thieves is to look out for Merchants. They can sell you a treasure map, which will send you and your crew off on an adventure. Find the treasure, then bring it back to civilisation and sell it to a Gold Hoarder. These guys can be found next to merchants, and will exchange any treasure chests you find for usable currency. You'll need to balance the risk against the reward, but making an early start on filling your coffers will give you an advantage. Just be sure not to sail beyond the edge of the world - your ship will take constant damage in this uncharted void, so be careful!