When Shift Happens Podcast

Lily Liu, the President of the Solana Foundation, dives into the future of finance by positioning Bitcoin as digital gold and Solana as a vital infrastructure supporting the unbanked. She discusses the challenges posed by the growing national debt and the importance of innovative financial structures. Liu also reflects on the social constructs surrounding money and the significance of breaking away from traditional banking systems. Her insights into leadership within the crypto space highlight Solana's vision for an inclusive economic future.

Emin Gun Sirer, CEO and Co-founder of Ava Labs, shares insights from his journey as a computer science innovator. He discusses the evolution of internet currencies, highlighting Avalanche's unique approach to overcoming blockchain challenges. Sirer examines the shift from scams to scalable solutions in crypto, emphasizing the potential for transformative financial applications. He emphasizes the necessity of user-friendly technologies and explores how decentralized finance will reshape asset ownership in the next five years.

Jordi Alexander, founder of Selini Capital and seasoned crypto investor, shares his insights on wealth building in a changing economy. He emphasizes that traditional investing strategies are outdated and advocates for a shift towards cryptocurrencies. The conversation touches on balancing financial risk with proactive wealth-building, the importance of self-custody in crypto, and how personal growth is intertwined with investment strategies. Jordi also reveals the transformative impact of relocating to Singapore and how overcoming frustrations can lead to significant life changes.

Sergey Nazarov, the co-founder and CEO of Chainlink, discusses the pivotal role of traditional finance in driving cryptocurrency's mainstream adoption. He explains why institutions aren't crypto's adversaries but essential partners. The conversation covers the limitations of traditional banking versus the security and transparency blockchain offers, and how Chainlink’s infrastructure enhances smart contracts. Sergey also delves into the importance of self-custody and navigating the evolving landscape of decentralized finance amidst market volatility.

Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise Asset Management, shares why his "boring" crypto strategy beat 96% of fund managers with 12x returns over seven years. He dives into his 80/20 portfolio rule and predicts Bitcoin could hit $200K by 2025. The discussion emphasizes the rise of institutional investment and the need for clear, disciplined approaches to cryptocurrency. Matt also breaks down complex crypto concepts for easy understanding and advocates for a balanced investment strategy amidst market volatility.

In this conversation, Sam Blackshear, Co-founder and CTO of Mysten Labs, shares insights into the Sui Network and the innovative Move programming language he created. He reveals flaws in current blockchain architectures and discusses how Move enhances smart contract safety. Sam emphasizes the importance of curiosity and creative problem-solving in tech. He also addresses crypto security challenges like self-custody measures and how programming memory safety can prevent breaches. His journey from academia to significant projects provides an inspiring perspective on innovation in cryptocurrency.

Evgeny Gaevoy, Founder and CEO of Wintermute, is a powerhouse in the crypto world, known for driving token launches and ensuring market liquidity. In this engaging discussion, he tackles the absurdity of market manipulation claims, shares his journey from 1990s Russia to building a billion-dollar empire, and reveals his dream of colonizing Mars. Evgeny also unpacks the ethics of market making, the challenges of secure crypto storage, and the importance of long-term strategies, all while blending humor and insight into the complex landscape of cryptocurrency.

Diogo Mónica, co-founder of Anchorage Digital, discusses his journey in establishing America's first federally chartered crypto bank, managing over $60 billion in digital assets. He shares his experience of recovering a lost $1.5 million Bitcoin wallet, which inspired him to address the urgent need for institutional crypto custody. The conversation touches on the importance of self-custody in crypto investing, the influence of personal growth on entrepreneurship, and the balance between family life and professional commitments in the fast-paced crypto sector.

Luca Netz, the visionary founder of Pudgy Penguins, discusses the tumultuous journey of navigating the crypto landscape. He shares insights on surviving significant market crashes while building a thriving NFT ecosystem. The conversation highlights an upcoming Ethereum cultural shift favoring builders and the launch of a new meme coin aimed at enhancing community engagement. Luca emphasizes the anticipated resurgence of NFTs tied to stablecoin adoption, showcasing the evolving strategies within the crypto space.

Dan Tapiero, a 25-year Wall Street veteran and founder of 10TFund, shares insights from his extensive trading career. He dives into why Bitcoin could reach $1 million in the next decade, pushing for institutional crypto adoption. The discussion also covers the importance of self-custody in crypto, personal anecdotes on balancing health and work, and the emotional challenges of investing in volatile markets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Plus, he contrasts traditional art with the NFT landscape, offering a fresh perspective on both worlds.