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When Shift Happens Podcast

E115: Phantom CEO: How This Crypto Wallet hit 15M+ Users and a $3B Valuation in just 3 years

Apr 4, 2025
Brandon Millman, co-founder and CEO of Phantom, shares his journey in creating one of crypto's leading wallets with over 15 million users. He discusses how focusing on user experience set Phantom apart from tech-heavy wallets. Insights from his time at Twitter reveal the struggles of traditional finance apps against innovative crypto solutions. Brandon delves into the naming and branding of Phantom, the wallet's strategic growth amid market shifts, and its potential to redefine consumer finance in a digital age.
01:46:28

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Phantom's success with over 15 million users is rooted in its emphasis on user experience over purely technical features.
  • The choice of Solana as Phantom's platform was driven by its strong support for stablecoin liquidity and centralized exchanges.

Deep dives

Shift to User-Centric Development

The Ethereum ecosystem has struggled to transition from a developer-centric mindset to a user-focused approach. This shift is critical for broader adoption of blockchain technology, as user experience directly influences engagement and usage. Companies that fail to prioritize usability risk falling behind competitors like Fantom, which has positioned itself as a leader by emphasizing user needs. This transition requires a fundamental change in how blockchain projects are developed and marketed, moving away from purely technical features to address real user challenges.

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