Nibiru COO highlights grants as a magnet for TradFi talent in crypto

The
presence
of
crypto
among
institutional
investors
is
on
the
rise,
especially
after
the
approval
of
spot
Bitcoin
exchange-traded
funds
(ETFs)
in
the
US.
Companies
such
as
JPMorgan,
UBS,
and
Wells
Fargo
declared
Bitcoin
ETF
holdings
in
their
recent
13F
filings.

This
rise
in
institutional
interest
can
also
be
seen
in
the
professional
area.
Executives
with
backgrounds
in
traditional
finance
(TradFi)
are
rotating
to
crypto
as
the
market
matures.
Former
Credit
Suisse
and
JPMorgan
Jonathan
Chang,
is
one
of
these
executives,
now
in
the
role
of
COO
at
layer-1
blockchain
Nibiru.

He
shared
insights
with
Crypto
Briefing
on
valuable
TradFi
skills
that
can
be
used
in
crypto,
how
grants
are
a
powerful
tool
to
attract
more
of
the
traditional
market,
and
how
those
professionals
can
help
solve
crypto
issues.

Crypto
Briefing
–
What
was
your
biggest
challenge
when
pivoting
from
traditional
finance
to
crypto?
What
set
of
skills
learned
from
TradFi
were
most
valuable
when
joining
this
new
market?

Jonathan
Chang
–
Crypto
is
known
for
its
unique
complexities.
Traditional
Finance
(TradFi)
offers
a
more
relatable
framework
for
understanding
decentralized
finance
due
to
its
familiar
concepts.
However,
there
is
still
a
learning
curve,
particularly
with
the
specialized
terminology
used
in
crypto.

For
instance,
while
the
principles
of
lending,
including
borrowers,
underwriting,
credit
assessment,
and
lenders
are
well-established
in
TradFi,
the
application
of
these
concepts
in
crypto—built
on
smart
contract
platforms
and
enhanced
with
tokenomics—introduces
a
new
layer
of
complexity.

In
fintech,
the
ledger
is
fundamental
for
recording
bank
transactions.
This
concept
closely
parallels
the
blockchain
ledger
used
in
crypto,
which
also
records
transactions
but
does
so
in
a
decentralized
way.

I’ve
noticed
that
fintech
and
crypto
startups
often
share
similar
goals,
particularly
in
speeding
up
payments
and
financial
services.
The
main
difference
lies
in
the
technology
stacks
each
uses
to
achieve
these
goals.

Now
that
I’m
more
involved
in
crypto,
my
background
in
traditional
finance
is
proving
beneficial.
My
experience
in
equity
research
enhanced
my
analytical
and
writing
skills,
and
deepened
my
understanding
of
how
markets
moved.

In
investment
banking,
I
refined
my
abilities
in
structuring
transactions,
managing
teams,
and
general
soft
skills.
Venture
capital
and
growth
equity
offered
opportunities
to
meet
diverse
founders,
understand
market
mapping,
and
appreciate
business
differentiation.
These
skills
were
invaluable,
aiding
in
process
management,
quality
control,
and
leveraging
a
broad
network
in
new
environments.

Often,
creative
problem-solving
is
essential,
and
having
a
variety
of
experiences
from
high-pressure
situations
has
become
increasingly
valuable.
These
reference
points
from
my
past
work
are
helpful
tools
in
navigating
and
innovating
within
crypto.

Crypto
Briefing
–
Are
grants
a
valuable
way
to
attract
talent
to
crypto?
Do
you
think
of
grants
as
just
a
money
incentive,
or
do
you
think
of
a
proper
introduction
to
the
market
and
its
technologies?

Jonathan
Chang
–
Grants
play
a
crucial
role
in
drawing
talent
to
the
crypto
and
DeFi
sectors,
providing
much
more
than
just
financial
incentives.
In
a
time
when
funding
is
limited
and
developers
and
entrepreneurs
urgently
need
resources
to
bring
their
ideas
to
life,
grants
offer
vital
early
support.

Equally
important,
however,
is
the
comprehensive
ecosystem
support
that
a
well-designed
grant
program
provides.
This
includes
access
to
mentorship,
technical
resources,
and
a
network
of
like-minded
innovators,
fostering
an
environment
ripe
for
learning,
experimentation,
and
growth.

At
Nibiru,
our
grant
program
is
crafted
to
achieve
these
goals.
We
offer
financial
assistance
and
leverage
our
extensive
network
and
expertise
to
enhance
our
grantees’
success.
This
support
includes
connecting
them
with
VC
partners,
offering
mentorship
opportunities,
and
providing
access
to
our
advanced
developer
suite.
Our
objective
is
to
give
a
complete
introduction
to
the
market
and
the
tools
needed
to
succeed.

The
Nibiru
ecosystem
is
dedicated
to
empowering
developers,
helping
them
become
catalysts
for
positive
Web3
transformation.
Our
grants
initiative
not
only
supports
through
partnerships
and
mentorship
but
also
boosts
the
visibility
of
projects
within
our
ecosystem
with
targeted
marketing
support.

Our
grants
are
structured
with
Total
Value
Locked
(TVL)
milestones
in
mind,
aiming
to
find
partners
committed
to
long-term
growth
within
the
chain.
During
our
diligence
process,
the
chemistry
between
the
founder
and
our
team
is
a
key
factor
in
ensuring
aligned
goals
and
collaborative
potential.

Crypto
Briefing
–
Despite
being
better,
crypto
UX
is
still
a
threshold
to
capture
more
users
and
talent.
Do
you
believe
that
non-native
crypto
talent’s
point
of
view
is
an
important
piece
to
solve
this
problem?

Jonathan
Chang
–
Absolutely.
A
major
challenge
in
the
crypto
industry
today
is
the
complexity
of
the
user
experience.
Despite
significant
innovation,
many
blockchain
applications
remain
too
complex
for
the
average
user.

This
is
where
non-native
crypto
talent
becomes
crucial.
These
individuals
may
not
possess
deep
technical
knowledge
of
blockchain
but
offer
fresh
perspectives
and
a
strong
focus
on
user-centric
design.

They
are
key
to
bridging
the
gap
between
sophisticated
technology
and
the
seamless,
user-friendly
experiences
that
people
expect.
At
Nibiru,
we
see
this
in
action.
Our
team,
drawn
from
a
mix
of
backgrounds,
including
traditional
finance,
technology,
and
consumer
industries,
brings
diverse
viewpoints
that
are
critical
in
developing
relatable
products.

They
challenge
us
to
simplify
and
humanize
our
offerings,
urging
us
to
prioritize
the
user
journey
over
technical
details.
As
a
result,
they
help
us
create
not
just
functional
but
genuinely
enjoyable
experiences.
So,
to
directly
answer
your
question—yes,
I
firmly
believe
that
non-native
crypto
talent
is
essential
in
addressing
the
UX
challenges
in
crypto.