Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry Olaf Carlson-Wee – The Future of Crypto (EP.257, Crypto for Institutions 2 – EP.04)
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Jun 23, 2022 Olaf Carlson-Wee, the Founder and CEO of Polychain Capital, shares insights from his crypto journey as Coinbase's first hire. He discusses the transformative potential of cryptocurrency for institutional investment and the evolution of his strategies since launching his $5 billion firm. Olaf dives into decentralized platforms' impact on the creator economy, the future of NFTs, and the dynamics of stablecoins, while challenging common misconceptions about the crypto landscape. His vision underlines the significance of innovation in this rapidly changing ecosystem.
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Bitcoin Discovery
- Olaf Carlson-Wee discovered Bitcoin through a Gawker article about Silk Road in 2011.
- This sparked an obsession, leading him to write his college thesis on cryptocurrency.
Crypto's Appeal
- Cryptocurrency resonated with Olaf because it offered an alternative to state-issued money.
- This was especially appealing after the 2008 financial crisis, given his skepticism of large institutions.
Coinbase Journey
- Olaf invested his life savings in Bitcoin and sought a job in the field, despite the nascent industry.
- He cold-emailed Coinbase, becoming their 30th user and later employee, highlighting the importance of pursuing your interests.