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The Fintech Blueprint

The Fintech Blueprint

By: Lex Sokolin
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Finance is being pulled apart by the forces of frontier technology. From AI, to blockchain and DeFi, mixed reality, chatbots, neobanks, and roboadvisors — the industry will never be the same. Here is the blueprint for navigating the shift.2021 The FinTech Blueprint Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Building DeFi's $25B Liquidity Engine, with Curve Founder Michael Egorov

    Building DeFi's $25B Liquidity Engine, with Curve Founder Michael Egorov
    Jan 5 2026
    In this episode, Lex speaks with Michael Egorov - Founder of Curve Finance and YieldBasis. Kicking things off about his journey from experimental physicist to founder of Curve Finance and YieldBasis, highlighting how theoretical physics concepts influenced his creation of financial invariants in DeFi protocols.Curve pioneered fully automated concentrated liquidity for stablecoins and introduced veTokenomics, a governance model rewarding long-term commitment with voting power and protocol fees. Egorov defends veTokenomics against criticisms of unlock-driven volatility, citing that most CRV locks average over 3 years and behave like permanent commitments. YieldBasis expands Curve’s approach by offering impermanent gain strategies to counter impermanent loss in volatile markets like Bitcoin, aiming to scale toward a $50B market ceiling.The discussion closes with reflections on DeFi token market structure challenges and Egorov’s call for protocols to connect token value to real economic flows by activating fee-sharing mechanisms.NOTABLE DISCUSSION POINTS:veTokenomics Drives Long-Term Alignment and Token Sink EfficiencyMichael Egorov introduced veTokenomics in Curve to address short-termism in token governance by requiring users to lock CRV tokens for up to 4 years to gain voting power and protocol rewards. This mechanism has proven effective in practice, with the average CRV lock time exceeding 3 years, effectively removing tokens from circulation. Egorov notes that veTokenomics removed 3x more tokens from supply than buybacks would have, highlighting its material impact on protocol stability and investor alignment.YieldBasis Aims to Neutralize Impermanent Loss via Engineered Impermanent GainYieldBasis builds on Curve’s AMM infrastructure by combining two layers: a Curve pool experiencing impermanent loss, and a complementary structure engineered to capture “impermanent gain”. This dual-layer approach statistically delivers net profit in volatile assets like Bitcoin, assuming mean-reverting price movements. Egorov estimates the market ceiling for this strategy at $50 billion, positioning YieldBasis as a scalable solution for volatility-based yield generation.DeFi’s Market Structure Issues Stem from Uncertain Token-Economics LinkagesEgorov critiques much of DeFi for failing to connect protocol economics to token value. While Curve distributes fees directly to CRV lockers, most protocols (like Uniswap) have not activated fee-sharing mechanisms (”fee switches”), creating valuation uncertainty. Egorov argues that unless projects “turn the switch on” and reduce economic ambiguity, token pricing will remain volatile and fragile, hindering broader adoption and investment confidence.TOPICSCurve Finance, YieldBasis, Uniswap, MakerDAO, Convex, StakeDAO, Threshold Network, NuCypher, AladdinDAO, Athena, Yearn, DeFi, veTokenomics, AMM, Stablecoin, Tokenomics, Governance, CRV Token, Ethereum, ETH, Bitcoin, BTC ABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS1’17: From Laser Cooling to Stablecoin Swaps: Michael Egorov on Physics-Inspired DeFi and Writing the “Laws” of Money9’12: On-Chain Macro Labs: Designing Economies at Speed14’58: Lockups vs. Liquidity Wrappers: When “Commitment” Becomes a Market for Illiquidity18’57: Delegate Democracy on Chain: Vote Aggregators, Campaign Politics, and Why Ve-Style Governance Drives Higher Participation23’52: Beyond TVL: Why Stablecoin AMMs “Need Less,” and How Yield Basis Targets Bitcoin’s Volatility to Neutralize Impermanent Loss31’00: Who Earns the Volatility Yield: Wrapped Bitcoin Deposits, Market-Maker Liquidity, and the Long Runway Before Strategy Saturation36’58: The Altcoin Valuation Trap: Why Buybacks Barely Move Prices—and Locking Can Shrink Supply40’32: Fixing Token Market Structure: Connecting Cashflows, Killing Uncertainty, and Why “Turning the Fee Switch On” Matters47’23: The channels used to connect with Michael & learn more about Curve and YieldBasis Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
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    49 mins
  • Building a Top 5 Global Crypto Exchange with 120M Users, with Bitget CEO Gracy Chen

    Building a Top 5 Global Crypto Exchange with 120M Users, with Bitget CEO Gracy Chen
    Dec 29 2025
    In this episode, Lex speaks with Gracy Chen - Bitget’s CEO, who transitioned from a fintech entrepreneur to leading one of the top five global crypto exchanges. Bitget processes $10–20 billion in daily trading volume and serves 120 million users across centralized and decentralized platforms. Its geographic base is mostly in Asia, but it’s expanding into Europe through regulatory compliance and new products like tokenized US stocks, which have already surpassed $20 billion in trading volume.Bitget differentiates through security features, including a $600 million protection fund, and user acquisition via both brand campaigns (e.g. Messi sponsorship) and local affiliate (KOL) marketing. Looking ahead, Bitget aims to move beyond crypto-native assets toward mass adoption, focusing on product-market fit and offering tokenized real-world assets and enterprise services.NOTABLE DISCUSSION POINTS:Bitget Is Transitioning Toward Regulatory Compliance and Tokenized AssetsBitget, historically an offshore crypto exchange, is shifting to a compliance-first strategy in key markets like Europe (e.g., under MiCA). It’s also diversifying its product offering beyond altcoins, including tokenized US stocks and forex, which have already generated $20B in trading volume. This reflects a broader industry trend where crypto platforms aim to integrate with traditional finance and support real-world assets (RWAs).Bitget’s User Acquisition Combines Web2 Financial Discipline with Web3 Community TacticsBitget uses a hybrid marketing approach: brand partnerships like the Leo Messi campaign and grassroots affiliate marketing via KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) who earn volume-based rebates. Additionally, local teams are given budget control and tailor acquisition strategies per market. This decentralized yet data-informed model mimics Web2 CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) analysis while leveraging crypto-native community dynamics.Exchanges Are Struggling with Unsustainable Token Launch ModelsGracy Chen criticizes the crypto industry’s overreliance on speculative “narrative-driven” token launches, noting that even well-funded tokens often fail without real product-market fit. Bitget is responding by requiring more tangible utility and sustainability from listed projects and aims to balance value across users, exchanges, and project teams through mechanisms like airdrop campaigns and launch pools with <1% token supply allocated.TOPICSBitget, Bitget Wallet, Bitkeep, Coinbase, Binance, FTX, MetaMask, MicroStrategy, BlackRock, crypto, crypto exchange, token, altcoins, digital assets, tokenized assets, tokenizationABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS1’03: A $300 Revelation: The Unlikely Path to Running a Global Crypto Exchange4’00: From Offshore to Onshore: Scaling a Global Exchange for 120 Million Users10’09: Chasing Real Value: How Product Market Fit Outlasts Hype15’39: Market Structure in Flux: How Speculators Gave Way to Institutions19’14: Inside the Exchange: How Marketing and Trust Drive User Growth26’20: Balancing the Books: Navigating User Acquisition in Web3 vs Web230’38: Speculation and Signal: How Culture and KOLs Drive Crypto Adoption in Asia34’11: Fixing the Feedback Loop: Rethinking Token Launches and Expanding Beyond Altcoins40’42: Beyond the Hype: Building Sustainable Demand for Tokenized Assets Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
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    44 mins
  • From $12.5M ICO to $100B+ in On-Chain Infrastructure, with Gnosis Co-Founder Friederike Ernst

    From $12.5M ICO to $100B+ in On-Chain Infrastructure, with Gnosis Co-Founder Friederike Ernst
    Dec 1 2025
    In this episode, Lex speaks Friederike Ernst, co-founder of Gnosis. Together, they explore the evolution of Gnosis from an Ethereum-based prediction market project into a major infrastructure provider powering over $100 billion in DAO treasuries and $10–15 billion in monthly DEX trading via CowSwap. Tracing the company’s journey from a 2017 ICO raising $12.5 million in ETH (now worth ~$450 million) to spinning out critical tools like Safe, CowSwap, and Zodiac, all originally built for internal use.Despite their success, Gnosis recognizes that the crypto-native user base is limited and has now pivoted to building user-centric, mainstream products like the upcoming Gnosis App targeting Gen Z with real-world financial utility. The company emphasizes its founding mission of democratizing financial ownership and warns against complacency as incumbents like Stripe and Robinhood enter the space. Lastly, Gnosis sees a near-term opportunity in AI-agent driven commerce, especially through reverse advertising models that could unlock trillion-dollar markets.NOTABLE DISCUSSION POINTS:The $12.5M ICO That Became a $450M Treasury: Gnosis raised $12.5 million in ETH during their 2017 ICO when ETH was trading at $40. Through conservative treasury management and holding their ETH position, that initial raise has sustained the company for nearly a decade and grown to approximately $450 million today. Friederike attributes this to “conservative treasury management and sheer luck” — a remarkable case study in long-term crypto treasury stewardship.Polymarket Runs on Gnosis Infrastructure: Despite Polymarket’s $10B+ valuation and mainstream recognition, it still uses Gnosis’s conditional token framework that was written years ago. Friederike acknowledges being “a little salty” that infrastructure they built powers such a significant share of the on-chain prediction market economy without Gnosis directly benefiting financially. It’s a stark illustration of the “first up the mountain” dynamic where pioneers clear the path but don’t always capture the value.The 19th Century German Banking Parallel: Friederike draws a compelling historical analogy: impoverished German farmers in the 1800s faced predatory moneylenders charging 25-40% interest. They responded by forming collective community banks, lending to each other at 4-6%. Within decades, tens of thousands existed, and one-third of Germans remain members today. She positions crypto’s ownership model as the modern equivalent — a cooperative financial revolution for a generation economically disenfranchised by incumbent systems.TOPICSGnosis, Gnosis Safe, CowSwap, Zodiac, CPK, Polymarket, Kalshi, ConsenSys, Ethereum, ETH, AI, AI Agents, ICO, Onchain, Governance, Crypto Treasury, Web3, Blockchain, Finance, Banking, Payments, Custody, WalletsABOUT THE FINTECH BLUEPRINT🔥Subscribe to the Fintech Blueprint newsletter to stay at the forefront of Fintech and DeFi: https://bit.ly/3hyhlC2🤝 Partner with Fintech Blueprint through sponsorships: https://bit.ly/3UZllsV👉 Twitter: https://twitter.com/LexSokolin TIMESTAMPS1’25: From Prediction Markets to On-Chain Governance: The Gnosis Journey with Friederike Ernst6’09: Early ICO Bets and Lasting Impact: How Treasury Design and Tooling Shaped On-Chain Governance14’10: Owning the Problem: Turning Internal Crypto Tools into Customer-Facing Products18’08: Beyond Crypto Natives: Building User-Friendly Blockchain Finance for the Next Billion24’34: Beyond the Noise: Staying True to Web3’s Ownership Revolution28’48: Culture as the Catalyst: Building User-Owned Financial Systems for a Disenfranchised Generation32’59: Reinventing Everyday Banking: A Self-Custodial Money App for the Postbank Era36’48: AI Agents With Wallets: Gnosis Chain as the Payment Rail for Autonomous Finance39’49: Reverse Advertising: How AI Agents Will Turn Your Attention Into a Trillion-Dollar Market Disclaimer here — this newsletter does not provide investment advice and represents solely the views and opinions of FINTECH BLUEPRINT LTD.Contributors: Lex, Laurence, Matt, Farhad, Mike, DaniellaWant to discuss? Stop by our Discord and reach out here with questions.
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    43 mins
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