DiffuseTap Podcast: Recent Episodes
Diffuse
A weekly virtual events series for alternative investors who want to learn about cutting edge investment opportunities and network with fellow LPs, GPs, and individual allocators from across the globe.
Did tradfi “miss” the crypto boom on purpose or by accident?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Ken Arnold, Managing Director at Everglades Parkland Advisors, about what has kept traditional finance on the fence about crypto, what needs to change for wealth managers to get started, and what macro changes will make crypto investable.
Are digital artists becoming the lottery ticket of the investment world?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Michael Masucci, Director at EZTV Online Museum, about what has happened in the digital arts space in the last 70 years, whether NFTs are a distribution platform or an art form, and how investors can discover digital assets that could increase in value.
Can crypto unlock a new era of data control and… can consumers finally be fairly paid for their data?
last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Andrew Chen, Co-Founder of Graffle, about owning data versus using free data from the internet, how data provenance would change if all data was on-chain, and how regulators are addressing key risk factors in data management.
Can self-custody and sophisticated wallets shield your crypto from new hacker tricks?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Cody Brown, Founder of Security Research Group, about how crypto cyber security has changed in the last year, what the characteristics of hacks are today, and what investors can do to protect themselves.
Can we transition all treasuries and stocks onto the blockchain?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ryan McRobert and Ryan Mitteness of Fenwick & West about whether tokenized and on-chain stocks and treasuries are better, who wants to put treasuries on-chain in the first place, and what are the technical and regulatory hurdles to make it happen.
What is the secret sauce to a successful startup?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Jiho Kang, Partner at Antler, about how to tell whether a founder is bound to fail or to succeed, why some founders quit early and others persevere, and what lessons can be learned from failed founder partnerships.
What does it take to find the next unicorn?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Jennifer Byrne, General Partner at Grit Capital Partners, about how to spot hot technology trends early on and take advantage of them, what are the characteristics of a startup that could execute the next big thing, and how to manage risk when investing in brand new innovations.
Are hybrid products the key to unlocking broader institutional crypto adoption?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Cato Felan III, Co-Founder, CEO, and Managing Partner at La Hoja Capital Partners, about what hybrid digital asset and TradFi products are, what purpose they serve in the investment marketplace, and what the technical complexities of offering these products are.
Zero-fee money transfers: Future reality or just a fintech fantasy?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Todd Crosland and Fiona Naughton of CoinZoom how they are eliminating high money transfer fees, why the average person pays so much in fees today, and how CoinZoom is able to profit from a 0% money transmission fee business model.
Can our tax dollars accelerate innovation in sustainable food?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Ian Hedrick, Founder of City Farmers, why the agriculture department is investing $3B into the food sector, whether a non-profit structure is well suited for farming innovation investments, and discuss the ethicality of de-risking farming and sustainability investments with tax and philanthropy money.
Can we ever defy astronomical prices in space ventures?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Kate Lynch and Mike Scardera of NeoSpace about how space technology has evolved in the last decade, what impact Elon Musk and others have made on the space economy, and the main factors that contribute to the high cost of developing and launching space tech. Then they will dive into the future of affordability and space infrastructure.
How can traditional supply chains make the most of the blockchain revolution?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Todd Ziegler, Founder and CEO of TruckCoinSwap, about how Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) works, how transportation and supply chain are optimized on a blockchain infrastructure, and which exchanges use this model.
Can crowds crack the code of illness prediction?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Brigitte Piniewski, HealthTech Founder at BlockHealth, about how blockchain could be game-changing for the healthcare industry’s predictive capabilities, how AI can help make health data more actionable, and which groups are taking the lead in health data innovation.
After the 2022 crypto shakeup, how has the hunt for top talent changed?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Emily Landon and Trevor Talley of The Crypto Recruiters about the crypto talent market of the last 18 months, red flags to look out for as people from collapsing firms have flooded the market, and whether TradFi people are cut out of crypto leadership roles.
Did you know that Master Accounts are the Achilles’ heel of a fair US banking system?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Zev Shimko, Co-Founder at Custodia Bank, about why banks set up a master account with the Fed, why they are so important… why they’re not available to Fintechs, and how master account access has impacted the digital asset banking industry more than you’d think.
Is the future of Bitcoin mining a gold rush?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Todd Esse, Founder of HashWorks Digital Industries, about how a crypto mining fund operates through crypto winters, how it hedges against energy costs, and whether the rise of Bitcoin prices can revive flailing mining companies.
Are AI Chatbots just another tech bubble?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ryan Leusch, Founder of Unchain3d, about the different phases of the AI industry, how the technology could evolve this rapidly over the last year, and why ChatGPT just isn’t enough.
Will 2024 be the year when crypto products rule the industry growth story again?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Stevie Cline, Managing Director at Vol. 1 Ventures, about emerging crypto projects poised to disrupt the market, critical factors leading to the downfall of certain protocols, and the evolving role and performance of NFTs in the current financial year.
In the high risk crypto world, how do you insure high exposure companies like… FTX US?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Christian Davies, Global Head of Distribution and Innovation at Relm Insurance Ltd., about the standards insurance companies should set for crypto insurance, some creative crypto insurance products that are available now, and why Relm insured FTX US but not ftx.com.
What does it take to seize the next big wave in Asian investments?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Chok Ooi, Senior Partner atAgilityIO, about the pivotal changes that have unfolded in investing in Asia, the trailblazers who are seizing the region’s best opportunities, and why others might be missing out.
New coins are launched daily but… who really determines which asset is a security and which is not?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Pat Daugherty, Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, we explore the legal and regulatory dynamics of digital assets classification, the broader implications for the SEC’s role in the crypto space, and the potential impact of crypto-related cases currently under judicial scrutiny.
How is blockchain enhancing fan experiences beyond the world of crypto?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Manuela Seve, CEO and Co-Founder at Alphaa.io, about whether consumer good companies are still looking to adopt blockchain tech in 2024, how sports organizations are using tokenization to engage fans, and how companies like Alphaa.io are helping olympic teams nurture their fanbase.
Why hasn’t the revolutionary wave of on-chain assets swept the entire investment landscape yet?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Kumar Ujjwal and Nathan Paitchel of DwellFi about how the on-chain asset management space has evolved through the years, which real world assets are suitable for tokenization and which aren’t, and what are the barriers to entry for investing in on-chain real world assets.
What if the next big financial wave is hiding in the micro realm?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Bryce Paul, Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Tower 18 Capital, about what happened to micro coins in 2023, how they’re valued, and why now may be the time to add them to your portfolio.
Does blockchain technology hold the key to eradicating greenwashing in renewable energy investments?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Gabby Kusz and Chris Kohler of Innovo Markets Inc. about ensuring transparency in the pursuit of a greener future, the critical need for standardization in renewable energy investing, and how the culprits of greenwashing can be held accountable using blockchain.
Can growth companies in emerging markets like LatAm thrive without being on the bleeding edge?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ali Jamal, Founding Partner at First Check Ventures, about how Latin American startups can return an outsized ROI, how currency fluctuations and government stability affect the investment risks, and whether we are seeing a shift from the valley to the rest of the world.
Is the UAE poised to become the new global crypto powerhouse?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked GRIP (DIFC) CEO V. Gowribalan and Chairman of the Board Tony Pettipiece about how the UAE crypto economy is structured, important milestones in UAE’s crypto regulation, and why some consider the country a “gray” market for crypto.
Is the fate of crypto in Washington decided by politicians or by financial giants behind the scenes?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Christina Sciotto, Interim Executive Director at Global DCA, about who leads crypto regulation on the Hill, why crypto initiatives could be put on hold during the election year, and the biggest bill in progress in Washington today.
In the fast-evolving world of digital assets, who determines value: the brokers, the market, or the technology itself?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Fernando Martínez Fernandez, CEO at Nonco, about how the role of crypto broker has changed in the last year, what technical innovations have taken place, and regulatory hurdles that crypto brokers are facing today.
How do you define the value of a community, and who gets to extract it?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Maggie Love, Founder of SheFi, about the core foundational elements that make a thriving community, how to engage members to generate value for all stakeholders, and what differentiates a high value from a low value community.
Is the energy transition a once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity, or are we heading for an overhyped bubble?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Robert Ethier, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Impact Science Ventures, about what the energy transition movement is, which major players are dominating this market opportunity, who the underdogs are, and what mistakes investors are making when considering investing in the energy transition space.
Is state-level regulation the key to unlocking the full potential of crypto in the U.S., or a dangerous experiment that could spawn scams and risky bets?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Arry Yu, Executive Director at U.S. Blockchain Coalition, about how state legislation can drive crypto regulation forward in the US, what opportunities exist in defining crypto rules on a state level, and the risks that come with state-level regulation for local crypto businesses.
Artificial intelligence is driving innovation like never before. But what happens when AI meets crypto?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Xiaochen Zhang, CEO of FinTech4Good, about where AI and crypto intersect, which companies are leading the pack in this field, and what other sectors could benefit from this newfound synergy.
Can we truly build a brighter future by reshaping our cities, and if so, how?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Erick Brimen, Partner at NeWAY Capital, about the link between cities and wealth generation, why cities no longer serve the purpose they were meant to originally, and what creating a new city looks like.
Do investors misunderstand what makes a climate tech investment successful?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Michael Luciani, Managing Partner at Climate Capital, about where great climate tech deal flow comes from, why liquidity opportunities are few and far between, and how to work with other funders to pool investment capital for higher potential exits.
Are financial advisors ready to ride the crypto wave?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Sarah Morton, Chief Strategy Officer at MeetAmi Innovations Inc., about how advisors are recommending crypto to clients, how advisors are looking at the development of the crypto industry, and what needs to happen for advisors to confidently recommend crypto in the future.
How can fintechs market themselves more effectively to prospective customers?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Seth Gordon, VP of Private Capital Marketing at WealthBlock, about the difference between effective marketing for fintech and tradfi products, some promotional mistakes that fintechs make that puts them in legal hot water, and how to build an institution-grade brand and prospect funnel.
Can ETFs become your every-day cash wallet, while staying invested at all times?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Fred Phillips, CEO of Investor Cash Management, about how to use ETFs to pay for everyday items, how the liquidation infrastructure for this payment method works, and how Visa and other payment systems are implementing this new and innovative solution.
Is Blockchain a buzzword in the corporate world or does the tech get put to use?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Grant Cermak, CEO at Evergreen Systems, about how corporates are already implementing blockchain in their operations, what issues they are trying to solve with the technology, and which implementations are successes or failures.
What are the best ways to save on crypto taxes?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Austin Wilcox, Founder and CEO at AQ Capital and The Bitcoin Endowment, about how to get Bitcoin tax deductions, what makes endowments an attractive way to structure Bitcoin assets, and why some people pay 3x taxes on their Bitcoin.
Is the Lightning Network the future of energy trading?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Austin Mitchell, CEO of Synota, about how the Bitcoin Lightning Network is paving the way for a more efficient and accessible energy market, how much back-office inefficiencies add to the price of energy, and what would happen if the world settled energy instantly.
Is the U.S. losing its competitive edge in the crypto industry? If so, how can it regain its advantage?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Gerald Gallagher, COO and General Counsel at NATION, about what happened behind the scenes in Congress crypto regulation, the underlying motives driving these regulatory changes, and what happens to crypto should the U.S. decide to step away from it.
Does the internet actually exist? Does anyone own or control it?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked J. Scott Christianson, a faculty member at the University of Missouri, about how the world connects to the internet, who is not connected, the restricted access that billions experience, and why it matters for our future.
Structured crypto products may be a game-changer for risk-conscious investors. What hurdles might they face on the way to mass adoption?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Anestis ArampatzisandPatrick Baker, Co-Founders ofCentaur Markets, about how structured products in crypto were invented, who the main players are in offering structured crypto products, and how these financial instruments are regulated in the US compared to the rest of the world.
How can investors identify and capitalize on the value of an ecosystem?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ryan Terribilini, Executive VP of Algorand Ventures at Algorand Foundation, about what is ecosystem ROI, which investments thrive in an ecosystem and which ones fall flat, and how long it takes to see returns when your investment depends on a vibrant ecosystem.
What unique risks are associated with crypto loans, and how can they be mitigated to ensure a safe lending environment?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Aya Kantorovich and Alexandre Elkrief, Co-founders of Fractal, about why crypto lending is perceived as “unsafe”, what regulators have to say about lending, and how technology can help legitimize crypto lending for institutional investors.
Can startups still get D&O insurance even though startup valuations have cratered?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Dan Ross and Ben Davis of Superscript about when and why emerging tech D&O/E&O came about, what underwriters look for and avoid in potential clients, and how the startup cycle and insurance market cycle affect the availability of insurance.
If you could start your own country, would you do it?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Johnny Chang, Managing Director at RNS-ID, about the reasons why people might want to start a new country, what new countries have been recently created, and how to do it yourself.
In Q1 2023, private funding for crypto startups plunged 80% YOY. What happened?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ben Lakoff, General Partner atBankless Ventures, about why seed stage funding in crypto has significantly declined, who acquires crypto startups after their exit, and what needs to happen in the industry to turn the luck of crypto startups around.
In a crypto winter, what factors influence the outcomes and performance of a hedge fund?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ben Jacobs, Managing Partner at Scenius Capital, about the drivers behind the biggest winners and losers in the crypto hedge fund space, which managers were able to turn around the ship mid-collapse, and what lessons can be applied to the next bull run.
Is crypto mining still profitable in 2023?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Matt Williams, Head of Derivatives at Luxor, about how Bitcoin mining has evolved in recent years, what new business models have emerged to accommodate market volatility, and what it will take for bitcoin mining companies to survive in 2023.
Are all tokens actually crypto and if not… what’s the difference?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Maggie Sklar, Partner for Banking and Financial Services at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, about where the confusion between tokens and crypto comes from, what assets are tokenized aside from crypto, and which tokens are most commonly mistaken for crypto.
Monetizing intellectual property can be a complex process. But what if we could turn IP into NFTs?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Pamela Norton, Founder and CEO of TitleChain, to talk about how IP into NFTs can help monetize your IP, how the legal structure of an IP NFT works, and what the regulatory concerns of turning IP into NFTs are.
Staking is a pain in the butt. Which staking products make life easy and which increase risk?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Robert Ellison, a staking veteran, and Alison Mangiero, Executive Director atProof of Stake Alliance, about how staking business models work, who the main players are in staking, and some of the loopholes staking platforms take advantage of to scam users.
The sudden collapse of three major banks sent shockwaves across the U.S. financial industry. Could crypto be partly to blame?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Howard Krieger, CAO of Aegis Trust Company, and Scott Christianson, Director ofUniversity of Missouri Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, about what caused the banking collapse, how much crypto played a role in it, and the possibility of a widening gap between small and large banks.
How do different risk structures impact the stability, liquidity, and value of new stablecoins?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Davis Hart, CEO and Founder ofPublic Key Financial, about different stablecoin implementations and the risks associated with them, the purpose and mechanisms of non-USD stablecoins, and whether CBDCs will be taking over the stablecoin industry.
How do you spot a 10x return in crypto venture investing?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Peter Wokwicz, CEO ofPositron Capital Management, about what has changed in crypto company investing in the last 12 months, the best way to structure a deal (tokens or equity?), and how to match your crypto startup investment to your risk appetite.
NFT prices can be highly speculative and volatile. So how can you assess their true current or future value?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Layne Nadeau, Founder and CEO at NVAL, about how NFTs are priced, the biggest wild cards in NFT valuation, and how to spot potential investment opportunities in the NFT market.
Is shorting a great way to take advantage of a bear market or is it an evergreen investment opportunity to tap?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Andrew Woodruff, Chief Investment Officer at Black Lotus Capital, about the opportunities in shorting some crypto projects, how to easily spot coins that are destined for failure, and how to use short positions as hedges.
What is the quantum leap that trade finance can make if it’s on the blockchain?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Truckcoinswap’s CEO and Founder Todd Ziegler and Partner Jimmy Lenz about the current state of trade finance, how tokenization can be used to create a more efficient and transparent marketplace for companies in a Payment Receivable bind, and how investors can benefit from investing in these tokenized trade finance assets.
What are the biggest vulnerabilities that expose your crypto to attacks?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Alex Bujduveanu and Eric Freeman, Co-Founders of Magellan Security, about how to mitigate the threat of insider attacks in crypto projects, risks associated with port usage, and the importance of cloud security.
How did crypto become the currency of choice on the darknet? Get to know the not-so-legal side of digital assets.
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Keven Hendricks, Founder ofThe Ubivis Project, about how crypto is used on the dark web, what global sanctions are in place to prevent this activity, and how the U.S. is responding to this threat.
The longer the stake, the higher the yield… the higher the risk?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Jason Price, Head of Strategy and Sales at Restake, about how staking works, what the benefits and risks are, which assets deliver the highest returns, and whether you should DIY stake or not.
What happens to a self-custody wallet, in case of the HODLer’s passing?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Gregory Johnson, Co-Founder & CEO at Rubicon Crypto, about how crypto insurance and inheritance works, what inheritance tax on crypto looks like, and why storing your assets in a cold wallet forever might not be the best way to go.
Running a DAO can be an operational challenge… voting is only one of the painful parts.
Next on DiffuseTap, we askZeugh, Community Manager at Origami, about the most operationally intense processes in running a DAO today, how automation is driving the evolution of DAO infrastructure, and how he uses technology to drive token holders to vote.
As no-code development comes to blockchain, will this drive business adoption?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Mike Revy, CEO of Bulla Network, about the future of blockchain with no-code on-chain payments, what kinds of businesses use this infrastructure, and the kind of security required even though implementation might look easy.
To unlock the full potential of DeFi, why are DEXs so important?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked John Bugnacki, Deputy General Counsel and Director of Regulatory Policy of Tacen, about what the advantages of a DEX are over a centralized exchange, what we can expect from the development of DEXs after the FTX collapse, and what risks people should be aware of when dealing with a DEX.
Centralized lending is creating a new way for individuals and businesses to generate yield on idle assets. But where exactly does the yield come from?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Howard Krieger, CEO of Residual Token, and Interim President at Aegis Trust Company, about the economics of centralized lending, what type of customers centralized lending is intended for, and the hidden risks to many lending platforms today.
Were there telltale signs leading up to the collapse of FTX?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Raymond Khan, Founding Member and Head of Markets at USREM, and Manjusha Tipre, Co-Founder of Yaala Labs and ZeroBeta, about what makes exchanges so complex to manage and regulate, how FTX blowing up has affected the whole industry, and how we can expect exchanges to be regulated moving forward.
DeFi lost more money to scammers in 2022 than ever before.
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked David Croft, Partner at Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis, about what constitutes a crypto scam, the options and hurdles to recovering stolen assets, and how authorities such as the FBI are thinking about finding solutions for this problem.
What’s in store for NFT art and its creators in 2023?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Bryan Kayne, David Feinstein, and Thomas Wu of SuperRare Labs about common misconceptions around NFTs and the crypto art industry, why renowned artists are getting into the game, and whether we can expect another bull market in NFTs in 2023.
Putting digital assets on the balance sheet just got easier, thanks to the FASB. But when it comes to pricing amidst volatility, what exactly is “fair value”?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Brian Dixon, President of Off the Chain Capital* about what models are used to value digital assets, why Grayscale is suing the SEC over a Bitcoin ETF, and how Coinbase partnering with Google to enable crypto payments might help boost mass adoption.
Now that virtually any asset can be securitized but the legalese is not clear yet, what’s the best way to invest in freshly securitized assets… legally?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked François de Chezelles, CEO of Talium, about securitization, what assets can be securitized legally, and how U.S. rules around securitization fare in comparison to the rest of the world.
Crypto is proving to be one of the most unpredictable assets in the market. How does one create a future-proof, all-weather investing strategy?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Alan Dunne, CEO of Archive Capital, about how a multi-asset investment research firm strategizes their approach to a volatile market, what return stacking is, and how to prepare for the alternative asset space in 2023 based on the mad mess this year.
Whether crypto tokens are securities or not is a question yet to be resolved. So how can issuers avoid SEC quarrels? Enter security tokens.
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Len Bland, CEO at Nano Gas Environmental, and Dan Kelly, Founder of GSDFuel, about how token issuers can launch STOs that are truly SEC-compliant, why more issuers are exploring overseas markets, and what TradFi options are non-compliant and yet commonly traded today.
Will crypto be allowed to self-regulate?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Gabriella Kusz, CEO of Global DCA, about how a self-regulatory organization (SRO) works, what an SRO can bring to the table alongside regulation, and who will be the right team to take an SRO forward.
What do smart crypto folks do in a bear market? Build infrastructure.
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Joe Hoffend, Vice President of Product Development at Foundry, about the qualities of a solid crypto infrastructure, lessons from the worst infra crashes in the last year, and what kind of tech will be needed for emerging crypto products in the future.
Independent content producers are always looking for the most attractive revenue models. Is Web3 the answer?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Genevieve Thiers, CEO and Co-Founder of Entertainmint, Inc., about the major challenges of independent content producers, how royalties work in the age of Netflix, and how Web3 can help content producers connect with fans and build their businesses.
Alternative lending got hammered in the Celsius meltdown… What hidden opportunities are there still to explore?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Prairie Hill Holdings‘ Managing Director Matthew Sandretto and Co-Owner Alisa Kolodizner, about the different types of alternative lending, which structures give favorable terms to the lender and borrowers, and what investors should look into when evaluating a lending opportunity.
A single Bitcoin transaction consumes nearly two months’ worth of power consumed by the average household. Is green cryptocurrency a more sustainable alternative?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Jerod Moore, founder at Digital Spaceport, about the rise of the green blockchain ecosystem, how green cryptocurrencies work compared to traditional ones, and the risks and opportunities in companies developing this new technology.
It’s been a bumpy year for crypto… though which fund strategies still performed well and which will lead the pack in 2023?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask ConsenSys product executives Taylor Engstrom, Product Marketing Manager for Acquisition and Ecosystem, and Johann Bornman, Group Product Lead, about exotic DeFi fund strategies that demand close attention, and their implications in custody, execution, and more.
What risks do investors expose themselves to when they keep their crypto in centralized venues instead of custodying their own assets?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Max Sherwood, Growth Manager at Unstoppable Finance, to discuss whether or not retail investors need 100% custody of their own assets, what infrastructure exists to keep them from losing their keys, and at what point regulators have to step in to save investors from themselves.
How does product design affect the adoption and growth probability of a crypto project?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Bob Guzman, Web3 executive at Large, about how product design in crypto has evolved since Bitcoin’s fledgling days, how design principles differ between crypto and TradFi, and what form crypto products still catch on, event in the current bear market.
A “crack-me-not” password and your seed phrase in a safe won’t keep your crypto safe… what will?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Frances Zelazny, Co-Founder & CEO of Anonybit, about the risks our digital identities are exposed to, how solutions such as facial recognition are becoming part of Web3 security infrastructure, and what the crucial steps are for investors to secure their crypto assets.
Is the NFT hype crazy or are we crazy for not riding the hype to killer returns?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Dip Majumder, CEO of Alpha Trend, about what hype means to the world of DeFi and NFTs, how to spot early signs of hype waves in the markets, and what the common hype misconceptions are that limit investors’ upside.
Crypto’s oversight might move from the SEC to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and industry players are cautiously optimistic. But what is the CFTC’s actual stance on regulation?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Jeff Bandman, Principal at Bandman Advisors, formerly with the CFTC crypto taskforce, about how the department works, who’s part of it, where the power lies, and what the CFTC could do for the industry moving forward.
Time to optimize your DeFi tax accounting ahead of the year-end close!
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Mackenzie Patel, CPA and Senior Revenue Accountant at Figment, and Joe Dillon, Director of Customer and Partner Success at Bitwave, about the complexities of DeFi and NFT taxes, how the IRS deals with defaulting investors, and how you can be more tax efficient with your DeFi investing.
How can investors bet on the future of digital identity, from Zero Knowledge to Soulbound Tokens?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Scott Mandel, CEO of Complex Labs, about the technology behind protecting digital identities on the blockchain, emerging concepts like zero proof and soulbound tokens, and concerns about the commercialization of digital identity data.
We all feel our declining purchasing power, what is the broader impact of inflation on alternative asset classes? Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Igor Gonta* – Angel Investor Emerging Tech (crypto, blockchain, energy, AI) – about which assets are surprisingly appreciating in spite of inflation, whether crypto is an inflation hedge, and whether inflation is a natural part of any financial cycle.
*All views expressed are those of the speaker.
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Crypto traders are getting more exotic by the minute… why are DeFi derivatives the pinnacle of their trading excitement?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Cole Kennelly, Founder and CEO at Volmex Labs, about what DeFi derivatives are, why it took so long for them to enter the market, and some of the biggest opportunities we can see with DeFi derivatives.
Institutional interest in crypto is on the rise. How does the large allocator’s capital deployment process differ between crypto and traditional asset classes?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked James Lavish, Co-Founder of The Looking Glass, about how institutional investors are deploying their capital into crypto, what is keeping some institutions from buying into this asset class, and how institutions are designing their DD processes to assess the risks in the crypto market.
The future of crypto is retail. How can mainstream investors build a personal portfolio that takes into account both market volatility and personal risk parameters?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Ric Edelman, Founder of the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals, about the importance of intelligent portfolio construction especially in a crypto winter, the biggest personal finance lessons the last 9 months taught us, and how investors should position themselves for the next crypto spring.
When the SEC is still finding its feet in crypto… how does it impact innovation in the space?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Pat Daugherty, Partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, about the SEC’s crypto regulation frameworks, whether the current approach is professionalizing or hampering the crypto industry, and how innovative digital asset companies can build the SEC’s crypto approach into their business models to avoid painful surprises.
There is no shortage of new (and sometimes promising) coins in the market. Can you use data to pick a winning altcoin?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Salahuddin Khawaja, CEO of Hypermode, to discuss what date is available to investors betting on altcoins, what metrics can be used to separate the wheat from the chaff, and which coins have surprisingly skyrocketed or tanked right under everyone's noses.
How do you find the next hot alt coin that is poised to challenge Ethereum and Bitcoin with its innovative utility and revenue generating applications?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Robert Mowry, Venture Partner at Altcoin Accelerator, about early indicators of a successful new altcoin, what it takes to foster a sustainable alt coin ecosystem (#noTerrameltdowns), and how to spot “copy and paste” altcoins to avoid losing big.
They say AI is to trading what fire was to the cavemen. While that might be true for the stock market, is there enough data to make AI trading in crypto work?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Manu Choudhary and Chris Park, Founders of DeFinity, about how traders are using AI to win in crypto, how institutions vet an AI algorithm before using it in their trading strategies, and what technical challenges keep algorithmic crypto trading from mass adoption.
What if you could buy shares in collectibles – from vintage cars to baseball cards and mint condition comic books? That’s exactly what Rally was built for.
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Christopher Bruno, Founder and President of Rally, about how his company is giving retail investors a novel opportunity to invest in collectibles, which assets have become surprisingly valuable, and why collectibles should be part of a diversified portfolio.
DAOs are growing popular fast among crypto companies. What would scale this structure commercially?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Brendan Kissane, CEO and President of Drumin Management Advisors, and Jason Myers, CEO and Co-Founder at CXO Equity Partners, about how a DAO can be integrated into a commercial business model, how using a DAO structure can hamper or accelerate commercial growth, and what makes certain DAOs more valuable than others.
Retail and institutional investors alike flock to the widely accessible exchange-traded funds. Where do ETFs intersect with DeFi?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Dan Weiskopf and Michael Venuto of Toroso Investments how ETFs can take off in the DeFi space, what it would take for the SEC to approve a multi-coin ETF, and how ETFs might survive the volatility of decentralization.
Diversifying one’s portfolio used to be a complex exercise, but no longer. What modern, tech-enabled advancements have made this possible?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Wittney Rachlin, Chief Marketing Officer at Yieldstreet, about how technology has opened the doors to diversification at scale, how alt fund investors are diversifying today (especially in a turbulent market), and how much capital should really be allocated to various alternative assets.
Has crypto held up its promise of democratizing financial access to all humans regardless of their social or economic standing?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Elena Obukhova, Co-founder and CEO of FlashBack, about how crypto can change people’s lives by unlocking financial access, how DeFi solutions are helping unbanked and low income individuals grow wealth, and why the social and economical impact of crypto’s growing adoption in the financial sector is often overlooked.
Does a CBDC enable a digital-first economy or is it just another avenue for regulators to control our financial freedom?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Christian Kameir, Managing Partner at Sustany Capital, about the main purpose of CBDCs, what rolling out these currencies means overall for the financial industry and the economy at large, and what the risks and opportunities of this new financial capability are.
How do protocols make decisions? Who calls the shots? Can anyone sway them?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Park Feierbach, Protocol Onboarding Lead at Figment, about how users can influence protocols and nudge them in a specific direction, when and when not to touch a protocol based on their decision-making mechanisms, and what inter protocol politics really look like.
Crypto is considered one of today’s riskiest investments. But… is it actually as risky as the popular narrative tells you it is?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Greg Foss, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Validus Power Corp, about the correlation between Bitcoin and the S&P 500, whether Bitcoin can be a hedge against broader financial collapses, and how much Bitcoin an investor should own as part of a risk adjusted portfolio.
In this age of NFTs and digital asset classes, is there space for old-fashioned art in an investor’s portfolio?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Allen Sukholitsky, Chief Investment Officer at Masterworks, about how investing in art has changed over the years, what the returns look like in this vertical, and how traditional art pieces are surviving and thriving in the competition with NFTs.
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Michael Iseman, Director of Operations at AcreTrader, to discuss how virtual farm investing turns farming into an asset class, the positive social impact as a direct result of funding this sector, and why buying a slice of farms across the globe can become the new steady-yield investment strategy.
Centralized crypto exchanges vs DEXs – what is the dominant exchange of the future?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Douglas Colkitt, Founder of Crocodile Labs, to discuss what a DEX is and how it differs from regular centralized exchanges, which trading opportunities can be found on DEXs that aren’t possible with your average exchange, and which regulatory limitations of DEXs investors need to be aware of.
Is the hype real or is it the same bubble with a different flavor?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Keith Black, Managing Director of the Financial Data Professional Institute, about the similarities and differences between the dot com era and crypto today, why some people have called both a “bubble”, and what the future of our crypto ecosystem could look like if we take the dot com era as a reference.
What does a DAO look like under the hood?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Dane Lund, Core Contributor at Alliance DAO, to talk about the technical infrastructure that decentralized autonomous organizations are built on, which technical challenges can make or break a DAO, and how investors should due diligence their DAO bets from a tech perspective.
How has the rise of DeFi, NFTs, and other new asset classes impacted the institutional allocator’s portfolio?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we ask Aya Kantorovich, Head of Institutional Coverage at FalconX, about how their customer base has evolved to service the Tradfi crowd, how this audience’s needs is shaping technology innovation in DeFi, and what challenges and opportunities are still untouched at the intersection of DeFi and Tradfi.
Are DAOs the organization of the future?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited MonkeDAO‘s leadership Jeremy Lim and Nom about what a DAO is and is not, how they set up a legal structure to legitimize their DAO, and how investors can spot a DAO entity that has sound growth potential inspite of the field’s nacensy.
Can a CFO financially engineer a company’s success?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Joshua Markou, Chief Financial Officer at FTX US Derivatives, to discuss what knowledge a finance team holds that is key to commercial success, real life examples where financial engineering unlocked business opportunities, and how investors can learn how to spot untapped opportunities in a business’s spreadsheets.
Crypto comes with a laundry list of risks… how can you insure against certain aspects of risk to cap your downside?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Josh Faier, Head of Finance and Staking Operations at Figment, andMarouane Hajji, CEO of Unslashed, to discuss what crypto insurance can and cannot underwrite, how they assess the risk of a whole host of crypto events, and when it makes sense for investors to buy protection vs make a judgement call on the probability of a disaster themselves.
Millions of dollars are being poured into the metaverse, as more retail and institutional investors start to edge into the space. What is driving this development?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Andrew Steinwold, Managing Partner at Sfermion, about raising a $100M metaverse fund, where the metaverse’s biggest growth opportunities are, and why infrastructure, talent, and regulations can be a limiting factor.
Markets across the board are volatile as ever. What can we do to ride these choppy waves to capture opportunities while managing risks?
Next on DiffuseTap, we ask Cem Karsan, Founder and Sr. Managing Partner at Kai Volatility Advisors, about the market’s seemingly erratic performance, how his team built a trading strategy that turns whipsaw markets into predictable returns, and why he believes mastering volatility is key to trading success.
What if the barriers between crypto apps and chains were banished for good? Meet the biggest driver of crypto growth in 2022: Composability.
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Kyle Samani, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital, to discuss what composability is and what it means to crypto adoption, which project will become money magnets thanks to their innovative infrastructure, and how investor can place smart bets that ride on this wave of next-generation crypto apps.
Investors have embraced blockchain technologies, but government are still struggling to get comfortable with this new financial universe. What do crypto investors have to know about regulations to make smart decisions today?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Gabriella Kusz from the Global Digital Currency Association to discuss the major 2022 shift in crypto regulations, which regulatory changes affect the viability of specific investment strategies, and whether the U.S. risks becoming a digital backwater in global comparisons.
What happens when media meets the metaverse?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Susan Brazer, Founder and CEO of LionShare Media, how the evolution of the new infrastructure needed to distribute next-gen entertainment and advertising is enabling immersive media (aka the Metaverse) and where NFTs come in to drive new commercial models.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Can the same “village” strategy save the planet and care for its inhabitants?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Unreasonable‘s Milena Stojceska (Manager and Investor) and Evan Patronik (Senior Director, Global Venture Selection) to discuss how they built a “village” of impact investors, why their community style investment strategy produces outlier returns, and where this highly aligned network sources deals that can take advantage of its value add support system.
Why try to cherry pick a SPAC, when you can index the asset class?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked David Sherman, President at Cohanzick Management, to discuss recent successes and failures in the SPAC world and what he’s learned, why a SPAC ETF may be the better way to manage this vertical’s risks, and where the most lucrative SPAC opportunities are hiding today.
What if you could compare venture deals across the ecosystem with just a click of a button?
last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Chris Lustrino, Founder and CEO at KingsCrowd, to discuss how he built a comprehensive database of venture deals that becomes the best friend of VCs, what information is most indicative of a venture deal’s success, and which surprising venture trends he sees emerging thanks to his data set today.
DeFi turned crypto into a financial powerhouse, but where are these stellar returns coming from?
Last time on DiffuseTap, Figment‘s Matt Leisinger (Product Lead) and Alyson Russ (Business Development – Staking) discussed the risks and returns of DeFi projects, what it will take for large institutions to make a move in this space, and how investors can build a DeFi strategy that fits their investment objectives.
What if you could collect a profit share on a publicly-traded crypto index fund that doesn't have a massive discount/premium to book value?
Diffuse Digital 30 – our market cap weighted index fund tracking an index of the top 30 coins – is hopefully listing on the OTCQX.
In this 30 minute virtual session for alt fund GPs and LPs – Dave McClure, founder of Practical VC and founder at 500 Startups – grilled us on our portfolio allocation, returns, risk management, and fund structuring strategy to suss out whether the juice is worth the squeeze.
If you are curious how we’re looking to launch a redeemable crypto index fund with a profit share for investors in our $30M pre-IPO round, listen to the audio recording or download the event transcript for the DiffuseLaunch DD30 event here.
Crypto is no stranger to flash crashes, ravenous rallies in altcoins, blue chips like Bitcoin. What factors drive this volatility?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Dan Cawrey, Author of “Mastering Blockchain: Unlocking the Power of Cryptocurrencies, Smart Contracts, and Decentralized Applications” (O’Reilly Media, 2020), about what makes crypto so volatile, how crypto whales and regulators impact the market, and which common mistakes traders make when trying to surf these price movements.
Digital Asset investments are hailed as the biggest return opportunity of our generation. Though tax authorities from across the globe have not yet wrapped their head around how to account for the profits and losses generated by traders, institutions, and retail investors every single day.
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee J.D., Vice President of Global Head of Tax at Binance.US, to discuss the complexities of the US crypto tax landscape, how he build a dynamic tax information system for Coinbase and Binance from scratch, and what investors across the board should know about to profit from crypto without getting caught in a taxation mess.
The metaverse is eating the universe. How can investors profit from the surge of opportunities in this new reality?
Last time on DiffuseTap, Federico Natali – a prolific crypto investor who was first in the door with Kraken, Orbit Fab, Bitfinex, Farm Together, and BlockFi – discussed the success drivers of the NFT metaverse, what the highest potential investment opportunities of this vertical are, and what he looks for when generating deal flow and conducting due diligence on brand new teams profiting from the metaverse movement.
The leadership ranks in the tech and finance industry are known to be sparsely occupied by women. Crypto, at the intersection of finance and tech, is no different. Does that mean female leaders in crypto have an edge thanks to this ‘survival of the fittest’ self-selection process?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we spoke with two female leaders: Nisa Amoils, Managing Partner at A100x Ventures, and Kirsten Wegner, CEO of Modern Markets Initiative. We asked Nisa and Kirsten about the rise of women-founded crypto companies, how they broke into the space and are growing rapidly despite the obstacles, and where to find and support female leaders in digital assets that have an edge.
Given the difficulty in tracking crypto transactions and unclear tax regulations from the IRS, how can you make sure you’re paying the right dues?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Shehan Chandrasekera, Head of Tax Strategy at CoinTracker, how crypto investors can track transactions without dying from a spreadsheet overdose, how to efficiently consolidate P/L and capital gains across multiple platforms, and whether or not (and if yes.. how), the IRS is really keeping tabs on everyone’s crypto transactions.
El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin as a legal tender turned the nation into a capital gains tax-free haven and has spurred a flurry of crypto-powered startups to take over consumer and commercial payment channels. How can investors take advantage of this groundbreaking event?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Esteban De La Pena, Founding Partner and Chief Business Development Officer at IBEX Mercado, about the impact of El Salvador’s BTC adoption from a commercial and societal perspective, what the Bitcoin Lightning Network is and why you should care, and how capital allocators can profit from corporate interest in Bitcoin for commerce taking off.
How do you innovate new investment strategies in a market that moves at the speed of light?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Shiliang Tang, Chief Investment Officer at LedgerPrime, to discuss how his team allocates R&D resources across their portfolios, what quantitative and qualitative research looks like in an emerging asset class, and how LedgerPrime is managing its risk when launching new strategies.
In the alternative investment world, companies, GPs, and LPs unlock new levels of success when they work together as an ecosystem. What does it take to build an environment that helps its members exceed commercial benchmarks?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we talked to Jennifer Vancini, General and Founding Partner at Mighty Capital, about how her team built an ecosystem that helps each member of the community thrive, why funds are in a unique position to drive an ecosystem, and how companies, funds, and LPs who participate in a network can turn relationships into financial returns.
If the crypto market is driven by both fundamentals and hype, how do you build a sound strategy that capitalizes on its consistently?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Mitchell Moos and Anton Tarasov from Crypto Briefing, to discuss their crypto friendly fundamental analysis approach, which traditional finance strategies just don’t work in digital assets, and how to identify high potential alt coin projects that have the potential to outperform the market.
What if you could build a targeted deal flow funnel using social media?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Jarrid Tingle, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Harlem Capital, about his digital-first deal flow driving strategies, how to sharpen your targeting to access relevant opportunities, and which social media activities GPs and LPs cannot afford to give a miss.
Few fund structures allow GPs as much investment creativity as Multi Strategy funds. This is especially valuable in the time of crypto, where new high yield opportunities emerge daily. Which off-the-beaten-path investments are multi strat funds taking advantage of today?
Last time on Diffusetap we invited Enzo Villano, CEO and Chief Investment Officer at Alpha Sigma Capital, to our next DiffuseTap to discuss the tactical advantage that multi strategy funds have, which creative investment ideas he sees most potential in, and how he stays on top of a diverse set of opportunities without missing a beat.
Gone are the Gameboy days. Today the #1 NFT powered game Axie Infinity, is on track to make $2.7 billion in revenue in 2021. How can investors profit from this meteoric rise in crypto games?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we met Mike Vorhaus, CEO of Vorhaus Advisors, and Santiago Jaramillo, Chief Product Officer of GameOn, and talked about how NFTs power the biggest returns in Play-to-Earn multiplayer environments, what the drivers between this movement’s epic rise are, and where investors can deploy their capital to get a slice of this hyper-growth revenue-generating gaming space.
Platforms have upended entire industries, birthed new business models and now, are poised to streamline the fundraising process. Are these new channels all that they promise to be and how can fund managers connect with the right investors?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Michael Cavanaugh, Managing Partner at broker dealer Regiment Alpha, and Nelson Chu, Founder of fundraising platform Percent, about the pros, cons, and misconceptions of raising capital via a platform, how to leverage a platform’s data to match investors and allocators, and why even the best investor match requires manual legwork to turn a lead into a signed check.
What if you could compound the crypto market’s growth with potentially attractive yields from cutting-edge Decentralized Finance (“DeFi”) investment strategies?
Meet Diffuse Digital MaxFi – Our market long DeFi fund that invests in blue chip digital assets (BTC, ETH, Matic) in high-yield DeFi pools.
If you are curious to learn how DeFi yields work, why sound risk management is key, and how auto-compounding yields can supercharge returns, join us for our DiffuseLaunch MaxFi event – a 30 minute virtual session for GPs and LPs who would like to get their slice of the DeFi pie.
Moderated by Brian Walls, Partner at Bridge Alternatives, prolific digital asset investor, and institutional alternative investment advisor.
We’ve all heard news about digital artworks selling for millions of dollars as freshly minted NFTs. Aside from transaction arbitrage, how can investors profit from the growing NFT ecosystem that is proving to be here to stay?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Zach Bruch, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Recur, to discuss real-world use cases for NFTs, how the growth of this digital vertical depends on its underlying technical infrastructure, and what investors should know when they allocate capital to NFTs or NFT venture companies.
What is the most effective way for GPs to build a network of potential LPs and LPs to create an investor community to co-invest with?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Denny Chared, Founder of DC Finance, about the ins and outs of leveraging a ready investor network, how your network should evolve as your investments grow, and how to build long-term relationships with GPs and LPs that you collaborate with.
Crypto mining is the underpinning of our booming digital asset industry. With headlines around mining bans, regulations, and restrictions ablaze, how is this vertical still generating killer opportunities for crypto infrastructure investors to get in on the rising valuations in the space?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Charlie Faulkner, Chief Executive Officer at EdgeMode, to discuss why infrastructure innovation is key to profitable mining, what investors need to know before pursuing this vertical, and which emerging mining tech could be a massive capital allocation gem for investors looking at this space.
How does a fully non-profit climate tech VC generate exponential impact with its capital?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we invited Paul Seidler and Tony Zhu of Clean Energy Trust to discuss the most attractive investment opportunities in climate tech, the reason they chose to operate as a non-profit VC, and how the team select high potential deals with a tight thesis to stay true to their core investment competencies.
The private equity secondaries market amassed $71 billion in 2020, smack in the middle of a global crisis. Are secondaries the next wave in VC investments as everyone is chasing yields while needing to deploy larger checks?
Previously on DiffuseTap, we invited Brad Heppner, Founder, CEO, and Chairman at The Beneficient Company Group, and Dave McClure, Founder and Managing Partner at Practical Venture Capital, and discussed the drivers behind the secondaries market’s impressive growth, how to value these assets even without a recent transaction benchmark, and why LPs, GPs, and founders are flocking to unlock capital via this channel.
Index funds will become the gateway to cryptocurrency investing for retail and institutional investors alike. How do the products available today compare?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we talked with Max Sherwood, digital asset aficionado and business development lead at Finoa, about live crypto index funds across the globe, the difference between traditional index products and their digital asset counterparts, and how investors should DD index product to make sure they get the returns they are paying for?
NFTs have turned the art and music world upside down in potentially very lucrative ways, for investors, artists, and fans. Where can you place your bets to get a slice of the NFT pie?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we asked Josh James, Co-Founder of eco-conscious NFT platform OneOf, about the implications of NFTs in and out of the creative industries, potential technical and commercial issues NFTs are facing in its early stages, and the true revenue potential that NFTs will unlock beyond what we know today.
Investing in tech that’s disrupting legacy businesses can be a hot ticket to high returns … but what does it take to systematically and profitably deploy capital into this vertical?
Last time on Diffusetap we met with Rohit Gupta, Managing Director at Future Communities Capital, to discuss which legacy industries yield the best returns when disrupted, how to spot a company that can break the barriers of the adoption, and which red flags to look out for during due diligence.
How do obscure seed stage crypto companies turn into legitimate VC-backed companies that IPO – in a matter of mere years?
Last time on DiffuseTap we spoke with Henry Love, Managing Partner at Fundamental Labs (the largest crypto VCs in Asia) about how to spot crypto startup diamonds in the rough, what it takes to access late stage deals, and why how VCs can chaperones high potential crypto companies from 0 to IPO at an unexpected speed.
Hundreds of millions of VC funding are being funneled into regenerative medicine. The goal: To extend life to previously unattainable limits.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Mike Moradi, Managing Member at R3 Bio, talked to us about regenerative medicine and what it is, current trends and investment opportunities in this space in the aftermath of COVID, and how VCs should place their bets to avoid the potentially expensive pitfalls in the space.
Listen to the full audio now or download the event transcript here.
Decentralized finance is turning technology innovation into attractive revenue streams. Where can investors place their digital assets bets to generate the best ROI on their capital?
Last time on DiffuseTap, Richard Titus – founder of Andronik and a Fellow of the Creative Destruction Lab – talked to us about new exciting opportunities in the digital assets space such as lending, staking pools, and tokenizing physical assets; the potential of crypto to become the national currency for developing countries; and how recent legislation could weigh down on the innovation landscape in America.
Listen to the full audio now or download the event transcript here.
What if you could generate attractive yields from Decentralized Finance (“DeFi”) investments while seeking to limit exposure to the volatility of cryptocurrencies?
That’s why we created Diffuse Digital StableFi – A private fund that aims to invest stablecoins (pegged to fiat currency) in high-yield DeFi projects, seeking to churn out attractive returns for investors on a daily basis.
To share how DeFi yields work, why sound risk management is key, and how to auto-compound rewards to supercharge returns, we hosted a 30 minute virtual session for GPs and LPs who want a first hand look under the hood.
Moderated by Brian Walls, managing partner at Bridge Alternatives, prolific digital asset investor, and institutional alternative investment advisor.
Building a successful LP-GP relationship takes time and effort. But if GPs want 10x returns on every investment while LPs prefer to manage overall capital allocation, how do we get both parties to the table to work on a common goal?
Last time on DiffuseTap, John Stokes, Co-Founder and Partner at Real Ventures, talked about effectively building trust with LPs and GPs, the secret formula to a “magic” meeting, and the difference between creating value from a place of purpose, versus creating value solely for financial returns.
Digital Asset Allocation Strategies
IOTA Foundation on portfolio allocation strategies in the world of crypto
DiffuseTap Virtual Event Series – July 7th, 2021
Digital assets are one of the most exciting investment opportunities today. Done right, the new asset class can help investors design portfolios with higher risk-adjusted returns while enhancing their portfolio allocation strategy.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Dan Simerman, Head of Financial Relations at IOTA Foundation, talked to us about the promise of DeFi staking and lending and how NFTs are transforming the world of art and finance today. Discover the difference in portfolio allocation between digital and traditional assets, as well as the counterparty risks that come along with all of it.
Listen now or download last week's event transcript here.
Minority-led businesses are an untapped vertical that's neither served by the traditional VC networks, nor by revenue-based financing facilities. How can investors profit from the growth of these businesses, while taking a data-driven approach to their underwriting process?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we were joined by Founders First Capital Partners (F1stcp) Founder and CEO Kim Folsom and Director of Investments Bella Gangnes, and discussed how they used data to fuel these high potential businesses and why their approach is winning the fight against funding bias.
Listen now or download last week's event transcript here.
Alternative investments – in cryptocurrencies, blockchain-based technologies, and venture – have earned a spot in a well-diversified portfolio. Now that the LP appetite is whetted, how can GPs position their alt funds to attract capital?
Last time on DiffuseTap, we featured Michael Terpin, the Founder and CEO of premier advisory and PR firm Transform Group. Michael catapulted cryptocurrencies like Etherium and Tether to global fame – after working with top Internet brands like MotleyFool, Match.com, and AOL – to bring cutting-edge products to market.
Listen now or download last week's event transcript here.
When it comes to branding, less is more, as Dave McClure – founder and managing partner at Practical Venture Capital, founder of 500 Startups, and PayPal Mafioso – shared last time on DiffuseTap. Catch up on Dave’s fund branding crash course and find out how you can effectively share your own fund’s USP with the world. Click here to find out more.
The future of work is now, and the companies that are shaping this movement are some of the highest potential investment targets for GPs today.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Daniel Pianko, Managing Director at Achieve Partners, talked about the hype behind the Future of Work and how to spot a real opportunity in the noise, why education is key, and the roles that upskilling and edtech play in the restructuring of the global workforce.
Listen to the full audio or download last week’s event transcript here.
Assure Syndicates on first-time fund performance and fundraising
DiffuseTap Virtual Event Series – June 30, 2021
Many first-time GPs frequently outperform second-time fund managers. The better the batting average, the more likely allocators will invest in it - but for new funds, establishing that credibility without a track record is an uphill battle.
Recently on DiffuseTap, Landon Ainge, Managing Director at Assure Syndicates, talked about what it takes to spin up SPVs on a deal-by-deal basis, how to build an allocator-friendly track record without a fund, and how to effectively build a strong and transparent relationship with your future LPs.
Listen now or download last week's event transcript here.
Thanks to VC investments in cannabis technology and funds focused on cannabis-related securities, capital allocation opportunities are burgeoning. Meanwhile, regulations remain firmly in place, keeping this new asset class a high-risk and high-volatility investment option.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Benjamin Richardson of 7thirty, Helene Servillon of JourneyOne Ventures, and Jennifer Piro of The Cannabis Syndicate talked to us about the current landscape of the cannabis space and why it’s gaining crazy momentum, the challenges that loom large over the space, and practical advice for canna-curious investors looking to tap into the industry.
Listen now or download last week's event transcript [here].
Investing in digital assets has skyrocketed over the last year, creating limitless opportunities for both basic and complex yield-generating strategies, notwithstanding the regulatory uncertainty in the industry.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Matt Lisle, Director-Legal at Galaxy Digital, talked about tailoring your fund structure to your investor profile, optimizing for cross-border investment, and scaling select fund strategies with the right structure in place.
Listen now or download last week's event transcript here.
In our very first DiffuseLaunch session, we were joined by Brian Walls, Managing Partner at Bridge Alternatives, to talk about our exciting new fund: Diffuse Digital 30!
Diffuse Digital 30 is a market weighted, institutional grade index fund of the top 30 hottest tokens in the market. If you didn’t make it to last week’s launch, you can still listen now or download last week's event transcript here.
Griffin Phillips LLC on how fund structure impacts the ability of GPs to fundraise
DiffuseTap Virtual Event Series – June 9, 2021
Raising a fund is a complicated, time-consuming process for emerging managers. How do you plan your fund structure to expedite your go-to-market strategy?
Last time on DiffuseTap, John Phillips, Principal at Griffin Phillips LLC, shared how to tailor your fund structure to your investor profile, how to optimize for cross-border investment, and why certain fund strategies can scale exponentially with the right structure in place.
Listen now or download last week's event transcript [here]
What are the pros and cons of decentralized versus traditional exchanges, and how can automation help digital asset investors make profit generating decisions?
Last time on DiffuseTap, Jens Joergensen and Eric Long of ConsiliumB talked about how automated market makers work in a decentralized exchange, how to mitigate the inherent risks of trading and holding crypto, and when it’s time to explore alt coins considering only about 2% of wallets hold the entirety of Bitcoin.
Listen to the full audio now or download last week's event transcript here.
Film investing can be a lucrative but also risky undertaking. Mitigating such risk starts with market research, deep due diligence, and picking the right investment vehicle.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Brian Katz and Tom Zambeck of Umbrelic gave us an inside look at evaluating investment opportunities in the film and entertainment industry, how due diligence differs in this space vs other asset classes, and how independent investors can get their foot in the door investing in Hollywood without breaking the bank.
Download last week’s event transcript here
Its strong growth has elevated cryptocurrency from a novel technology into an asset class with long-term promise. How will this new economic force perform through the cyclical nature of markets? Which constituents will win and which will lose?
Last time on DiffuseTap, Angie Lau, Founder and CEO of Forkast, shared her experience reporting on breaking news in the crypto space, the promise of DeFi for emerging economies, and why there’s so much more to discover about this asset class from a geographical, regulatory, and investors’ point of view.
Listen to the full audio or download last week's event transcript here.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Venu Raghavan, VP of Strategy and Development at Wasson Enterprise, shed light on the SPAC boom, what accounts for the renewed popularity of blank check investment vehicles, and what the recent SEC clampdown means for aspiring SPAC sponsors.
Listen to the full audio or download last week's event transcript here.
From ‘farm to table’ to ‘lab to ladle’? Will feeding the world soon depend less on agriculture and more on food technology?
Last time on DiffuseTap, Dimitra Rizzi and Stephanie Lind of Elohi Strategic Advisors talked to us about the latest groundbreaking innovations in the food industry (spoiler alert it’s not just plant-based foods) and everything investors need to know before they start placing their bets in food tech.
Listen to the full audio or download last week's event transcript here.
If you want to make new friends from the Diffuse Fund Ecosystem, email contact@diffusefunds.com
For emerging managers looking to get to market and quickly build a reputation, and sans the admin burden of a full fund structure, SPVs are a viable option.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Remy Astie and Ulric Musset, Co-Founders of VAUBAN discussed the practical advantages that SPVs have over traditional funds (and vice versa), the coming wave of low-touch investment vehicles, and how fund managers will naturally transition from SPVs into full-fledged funds.
"Financial statements are basically a backward-looking view of what just happened, and the day that they’re released, they immediately become historical. Whereas ESG factors or considerations can give us a better understanding of the fuller picture of the environmental and social resources that a company is relying on, which are not currently materialized in the balance sheet or in the income statement." - Emily Chew, Morgan Stanley
Last time on DiffuseTap, Emily Chew, Global Head of Sustainability for Investment Management at Morgan Stanley, talked about what sustainable investment really means, how funds and companies will be affected by the imminent global enforcement of ESG, and why you might want to avoid hopping on the “sustainable fund manager” bandwagon.
Listen to the full audio or download last week’s event transcript here.
If you want to make new friends from the Diffuse Fund Ecosystem, email contact@diffuse.vc.
"You want to have a good base of supporters upon listing. If you’ve got a tight structure at the time of listing, the share price can be traded at a bit of a premium. That helps the business use its stock as currency to roll up assets at a premium, or raise money on the equity market at a premium." - Shafin Diamond Tejani, Victory Square Technologies. "We wouldn't qualify for the traditional SPAC requirements, and we weren't really looking for something even like that... And I still don't know the answer as to why startups don't understand that this is a path to access capital, to access growth and get liquidity, as opposed to the traditional VC route. It's not a sure path to guaranteed success, but it's a viable path." - Matt Bailey, GameOn
Last time on DiffuseTap, Shafin Diamond Tejani, CEO at Victory Square Technologies, and Matt Bailey, Founder and CEO at GameOn talked about about going public on a global scale – in baby steps – and why some startups might forgo the traditional partnership with a SPAC or VC and decide to take the IPO route, instead.
Listen to the full audio or download last week’s event transcript here.
If you want to make new friends from the Diffuse Fund Ecosystem, email contact@diffuse.vc.
Last time on DiffuseTap, Jimmy Chamberlin, CEO of Blue J Strategies, also most known as a founding member and drummer of The Smashing Pumpkins, talked about the potentially exponential gains in purchasing music catalogs in the digital age, crowdfunding platforms built on the foundation of strong artist fanbases, and where the music industry is headed in light of the new normal...
When it comes to branding, less is more, as Dave McClure – founder and managing partner at Practical Venture Capital, founder of 500 Startups, and PayPal Mafioso – shared last time on DiffuseTap.
Catch up on Dave’s fund branding crash course and find out how you can effectively share your own fund’s USP with the world. Click here to find out more.
What’s wrong with venture capital today? Last time on DiffuseTap, Oliver Libby, Managing Partner at H/L Ventures, talked about the broken venture capital system, the common myths surrounding venture studios, and why the power law does not apply anymore.
Click here to find out more.
In our session featuring Dennis Chookaszian, Corporate Director at CME Group, we talked about corporate governance, including how to avoid a co-partnership going sour, the problem with overly idealistic CEOs, and the importance of keeping your board in check.
Click here to read the transcript and find out which governance practices ensure emerging managers keep the door to institutional investors.
If you’re a new VC fund seeking investments for the first time, you are bound to make mistakes. While experience is a great teacher, there are a handful of common errors that are easily preventable with the right knowledge and resources.
In our last DiffuseTap session, we had the chance to talk with Investor Relations expert Luba Lesiva, former head of investor relations at Palantir Technologies currently raising funds for ex-Palantir employee lead startups on Angelist, about first-time funds, what they’re missing, and how they can avoid novice mistakes. She shared five great tips that no GP should miss.
Click here to find out more.
If you thought you had explored it all, from entertainment projects with guaranteed returns to revenue-based financing with a 3x return multiple, it’s time to meet the new kid on the block: Litigation Finance. While it may be a fresh alternative investment niche, it’s worth taking a look at its stunning return on capital potential and the light 3 year investment timeline.
In our last DiffuseTap session, we had the opportunity to dig into the details of this new asset class with two lawyers who are leading the charge in bringing legal claims in impact cases made by Public Sector Entities to the forefront of litigation finance: Michael P. Kelley, corporate partner at Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, and W. Grant Farrar, founder and managing director of Arran Capital.
Click here to find out more.