Changing the World through Crypto & Safe-Keeping the World of Finance | Michael Gronager, CEO, Chainalysis

From discussing the meaning of life, to the cruciality of atomic habits, to genuinely aiming to change the world, this week’s guest, Michael Gronager - CEO of crypto behemoth Chainalysis - shares fascinating insights.

With a valuation of upwards of $8 Billion, following their latest funding round in May this year, Chainalysis is providing critical financial data to enable governments, banks and blockchain companies to understand how people are using cryptocurrency.

Drawing comparisons to Google - by indexing the blockchain industry, Bloomberg - through their creation of financial data, and Reuters through their leading content arm, Chainalysis is at the forefront of blockchain companies, already a market leader, with the potential to scale to astronomic levels.

Michael dives into his journey, from growing up in Denmark and developing a close early interest in computers, to his academic research, to an epiphanic moment stuck in a typhoon in South-East Asia and all the way to founding Chainalysis. His mentality, fascination with Wabi Sabi and seeking beauty in everything, as well as creating achievable routine habits provide amazing insight into the minds of a true modern tech leader.

[ 0:00 - 4:29] Chainalysis & how every company could become a crypto company

[ 4:29 - 10:51 ] Timeframe on crypto adoption

[ 10:51 - 16:01 ] Chainalysis user cases

[ 16:01 - 18:32 ] Bridging law enforcement and the unregulated world of crypto

[ 18:32 - 21:39 ] Size and scale of Chainalysis

[ 21:39 - 25:19] Raising money in a bear market

[ 25:19 - 27:43] Taking inspiration from Google and Reuters

[ 27:43 - 32:17 ] Remaining calm and maintaining perspective 

[ 32:17 - 37:32 ] 2 miles runs every morning and home-made cortados 

[ 37:32 - 40:23 ] Finding beauty in everything

[ 40:23 - 43:01 ] Michael’s Mana

[ 43:01 - 46:17 ] An early fascination with computers and building things

[ 46:17 - 52:07 ] Wanting to change the world

[ 52:07 - 54:43 ] Finding the meaning of life at Bangkok airport 

[ 54:43 - 56:01 ] Who is Satoshi?

[ 56:01 - 1:00:04 ] The Chainalysis Founding Story

[ 1:00:04 - 1:05:47 ] Turning Chainalysis from an idea into an empire

[ 1:04:41 - 1:07:58] Principles around culture

[ 1:07:58 - 1:13:03 ] Winning talent, mentality as king and furthering careers

[ 1:13:03 - 1:18:09 ] The Hollywood scenario for Chainalysis

[ 1:18:09 - 1:23:13 ] Considering Space & Michael’s approach to problem-solving

[ 1:23:13 - 1:26:04 ] Advice for a bear market