How Solana’s Founder Sees Crypto Transforming Global Finance, AI Innovation, and American Opportunity | Anatoly Yakovenko Pt 2

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Jan 23, 2026

Anatoly Yakovenko, founder of Solana and a former systems engineer, shares intriguing insights about the intersection of crypto and AI. He discusses how crypto is revolutionizing finance by eliminating middlemen and expanding access, while AI is reshaping industries like healthcare and engineering. Reflecting on his immigrant journey, he emphasizes America's spirit of innovation and problem-solving. They also tackle the challenges of building trust in a digital age and predict a future where meme coins and decentralized markets coexist as key cultural elements.

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INSIGHT

Crypto Growth Is Resilient To U.S. Politics

Crypto adoption will continue growing regardless of U.S. political swings because much demand and usage originates outside the U.S.
Founders may relocate to friendlier jurisdictions, but product-level adoption remains resilient.

ADVICE

Hold Politicians To Measurable Outcomes

Call out politicians who propose solutions that don't produce measurable results like building houses or hospitals.
Push for accountability because electoral feedback motivates corrective action.

ANECDOTE

From $50 To Engineering Degree

Anatoly arrived in the U.S. with only $50 per person after Soviet exit visas were denied for years.
His parents found jobs immediately, paid taxes proudly, and prioritized schools that unlocked his engineering education.

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Welcome to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu! In this episode, Tom Bilyeu sits down for part two of his fascinating conversation with Anatoly Yakovenko, the creator of Solana. Together, they dive deep into the future of finance, the interplay between politics and technology, and how crypto and AI are shaping our world.

Anatoly Yakovenko shares his unique perspective as an immigrant from the former USSR, reflecting on the distinctly American spirit of innovation, self-reliance, and problem-solving. He offers insights into how feedback loops in democracy, technological advancements, and economic incentives drive both progress and setbacks in the United States.

The duo explores the challenges of building trust in an increasingly digital world—from cryptographic signatures to the limits of human perception—and discuss how AI is rapidly transforming everything from software engineering to healthcare. Anatoly Yakovenko reveals how crypto is cutting out middlemen, democratizing financial access, and why meme coins and speculative culture are here to stay.

Get ready for an episode packed with optimism, critical thinking, and a clear-eyed assessment of the innovations and hurdles ahead in tech, governance, and society. Whether you’re a crypto enthusiast or just curious about the forces reshaping our world, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.

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FOLLOW ANATOLY YAKOVENKO

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/aeyakovenko
Solana Foundation: https://solana.org/

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