Shan Han: Crypto Lessons, Boom Bust Belief and Funding Students the Web3 Way – E648

Shan Han: Crypto Lessons, Boom Bust Belief and Funding Students the Web3 Way – E648

Author: Jeremy Au December 1, 2025 Duration: 33:13

Portfolio Manager at Animoca Brands and former Chief Investment Officer at Node Capital, Shan Han joins Jeremy Au to trace his path from Hong Kong trading to fintech and Web3, discuss how early crypto grew from ideology, and explain why tokenizing assets like student loans can unlock education across Southeast Asia. They explore how customer urgency validates real problems, how global liquidity reshapes emerging markets, and how regulation and permissioned systems will define the future of crypto. Shan also reflects on leaving hedge funds to build companies that solve urgent needs.

06:00 First startup taught real founder lessons: Shan overbuilt the product and underinvested in speaking to customers, which he now sees as his biggest early mistake.

09:00 ICO wave created opportunity and chaos: Node Capital traded markets and backed early tokens as crypto cycles repeated with massive upside and sharp crashes.

10:00 SME lending proved a painkiller need: Borrowers called him for loans before a product even existed, showing that real demand always leads.

14:00 Tokenized student loans expand access: Global liquidity meets local underwriting so students in the Philippines and Indonesia receive financing they previously could not access.

14:55 Benefits emerge for investors, lenders, and borrowers: On-chain capital finds high-quality yield, local lenders scale faster, and students get more affordable financing.

17:15 Blockchain reshapes student loan markets: Unified liquidity, alternative credit models, and on-chain verification make lending systems more efficient and more inclusive.

22:00 Every major asset will become tokenized: Stablecoins lead the way, followed by T Bills and real-world assets as liquidity and tradability improve.

29:00 Courage means leaving comfort for impact: Shan left a hedge fund he loved to build companies because solving real problems mattered more than staying safe.

Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/shan-han-tokenize-real-life

Get transcripts, startup resources & community discussions at www.bravesea.com


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#Web3 #DeFi #Tokenization #StudentLoans #EmergingMarkets #CryptoEducation #FintechInnovation #DigitalAssets #FutureOfFinance #BRAVEpodcast




There’s a unique energy building across Southeast Asia, a sense of possibility that’s palpable from Singapore’s skyscrapers to the bustling streets of Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech captures that momentum by going beyond the headlines and funding announcements. Host Jeremy Au, a venture capitalist and serial founder with a background from Harvard and Berkeley, steers these conversations with a distinct perspective-one that balances the hard metrics of growth with the very human elements of leadership and personal development. Each episode feels like a candid, in-depth dialogue, whether he’s speaking with a first-time founder navigating early traction or a seasoned investor mapping regional trends. You’ll hear genuine stories about building companies, the tough lessons learned from failures, and the often-overlooked journey of staying grounded while scaling rapidly. This isn’t about presenting a polished facade of success; it’s about the real work of creating something meaningful. With over eighty thousand regular listeners, this podcast has become a key resource for anyone invested in the region’s tech ecosystem. Jeremy brings his own experiences as a sci-fi enthusiast and a father into the mix, often exploring how broader perspectives on the future and empathy shape better leaders. Tune in for practical insights on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and management, all framed within the vibrant and complex tapestry of Southeast Asia. New conversations arrive every Monday, offering a thoughtful pause to reflect on how we build what’s next.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech: Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand & Malaysia Startups, Founders & Venture Capital VC (English)
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