Insilico Terminal Podcast Episode 10 - Scott Phillips

In this episode, Scott shares his journey from a TradFi background to finding success in crypto’s early DeFi days. He breaks down momentum effects, on-chain inefficiencies, and how simple systems often outperform over-optimized ones. The discussion covers mid-frequency quant trading, partnering with market makers, and the psychology of trend following. Scott also opens up about burnout, mental health, and his personal story of redemption - ending with reflections on the future of systematic trading, vault design, and finding peace beyond success.

00:00 Intro, Scott’s background in TradFi, pivot to crypto in 2019, and early DeFi summer success 

07:08 Momentum effects in crypto, on-chain inefficiencies, and finding edge in smaller venues 

20:18 Building systems, market-making hybrids, and why simple signals outperform optimization 

26:00 Mid-frequency quant trading, execution costs, and partnering with market makers 

35:00 Trend following as a career - psychology, losing streaks and Hyperliquid strategy 

43:00 Burnout, mental health, taking breaks, and reflections on trading longevity 

48:05 Life story - crime, jail, rebuilding through trading, lessons on risk and humility 

52:29 Future of crypto and systematic trading, decaying edges, and institutional arrival 58:08 Vault design, momentum modeling, and cross-asset trend logic 

01:12:00 Closing thoughts on money, wisdom with age, and the balance between success and peace