

#107 Anatoly Yakovenko: Crypto Isn’t for Everyone (And That’s a Good Thing)
90 snips Jul 11, 2025
Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, dives into the evolving world of cryptocurrency and technology. He discusses the 'punks, hoodies, suits' cycle and how crypto is a movement, not just a product. Anatoly shares predictions about stablecoins potentially reaching $1 trillion and explains the vision behind the Solana phone to challenge app store monopolies. He argues that the future of crypto lies in serving a niche of high-value users rather than mass adoption, offering insights into the shifting dynamics of digital finance and innovation.
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Solana's Founding Story
- Anatoly Yakovenko shared how he founded Solana after a late-night eureka moment in San Francisco.
- Within six months, he was pitching to investors for what became a major blockchain platform.
Crypto's Evolution Cycle
- Crypto follows the "punks, hoodies, suits" cycle of tech movements.
- Punks innovate, hoodies commercialize, and suits institutionalize the industry.
Stablecoins Disrupt Legacy Finance
- Stablecoins represent a clear product in crypto that works well due to programmability and backing by real assets like treasuries.
- They disrupt legacy fintech built on outdated systems and show strong promise for global adoption.