Haseeb Qureshi: The TAM of Crypto - [Making Markets, EP.18]

Haseeb Qureshi: The TAM of Crypto - [Making Markets, EP.18]

Author: Colossus | Investing & Business Podcasts February 23, 2024 Duration: 1:24:21

My guest this week is Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly Capital. From making millions through poker before the age of 21, to going viral for an article on negotiation, to being hired personally by Naval Ravikant to be a crypto VC, Haseeb’s life could be a Netflix movie. We dive into that backstory and all he’s learned about the relationship between work, money, and happiness. We also talk about the Bitcoin ETF, Dragonfly Capital, his biggest miss as a VC, and how he approaches investing today. Please enjoy this fascinating and wide-ranging conversation with Haseeb Qureshi.


For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).



Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:01:27) First question - Haseeb’s stance on the current developments in the crypto world

(00:04:26) Whether the established precedent for Bitcoin ETF negates the need for further court cases

(00:10:50) Advantages of trading ETFs over traditional assets and whether it could entice large institutions into cryptocurrency trading

(00:15:16) Haseeb’s background in poker and the Portuguese prodigy story

(00:24:10) Comparing fulfillment earning wealth between poker playing and trading in crypto

(00:28:10) Patterns of disillusionment in people who make significant wealth in crypto

(00:38:15) How Haseeb’s experience as a founder shaped his perspective on venture capital

(00:46:42) How Haseeb first got together with Naval Ravikant

(00:54:24) The initial vision for launching Dragonfly

(00:58:55) How common it is for founders to relocate to other countries for crypto-related ventures

(01:01:21) The size and scope of Dragonfly today and the acquisition of Metastable

(01:09:01) Navigating the challenge of not second-guessing decisions

(01:14:01) The challenges the industry has had with consumer adoption, particularly in cases like NBA Top Shot and Keone

(01:21:31) Where Haseeb thinks the crypto market is currently in the cycle

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Eric Golden hosts Making Markets, a podcast that digs into the often unseen mechanics and human behaviors driving how value is assigned and traded. Rather than just analyzing charts or headlines, conversations focus on the underlying architecture-the rules, relationships, and psychology-that defines how any marketplace functions. This approach means that one episode might dissect the familiar terrain of bonds or equities, while the next ventures into the specialized worlds of fine art, cryptocurrency, or even vineyard acquisitions. The common thread is a curiosity about the actual transactions and the people who facilitate them, providing a tangible sense of what occurs when assets change hands. By speaking with practitioners and experts each week, the show demystifies the complex systems that form the backbone of global commerce, offering listeners a clearer picture of economic forces at work. As part of the Colossus network of investing and business podcasts, Making Markets builds a comprehensive library of knowledge, turning abstract concepts into accessible narratives. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the real-world machinery operating behind the curtain of daily financial news.
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