The Boost VC Podcast

Ep. 70: Leveraging Social Networks to Make Everyone a VC with Dan Finlay of MetaMask

Episode Summary

Today, Dan sits down with us to explain how the CryptoKitties phenomenon fit his theory around the first viral crypto application. He speaks to his entry into the blockchain space as a natural extension of his interests in technology and governance. Dan describes the genesis of MetaMask and its aim to provide a gateway to P2P technology and provide the tools necessary to make usable apps. Listen in for Dan’s insight on social collateral and learn how social networks could be leveraged to make everyone a VC.

Episode Notes

What if every individual had the ability to invest in their community? Dan Finlay sees a future in which the blockchain allows us all to function as venture capitalists, investing in the people we trust in our social networks, using our social collateral to back the things we truly believe in.

Dan is a software developer and product lead at MetaMask, a bridge to the distributed web. The platform allows users to run Ethereum dApps (without running a full Ethereum node) and provides a user interface to facilitate private key management. Dan and the MetaMask team are passionate about making new technologies accessible to everyone.

Today, Dan sits down with us to explain how the CryptoKitties phenomenon fit his theory around the first viral crypto application. He speaks to his entry into the blockchain space as a natural extension of his interests in technology and governance. Dan describes the genesis of MetaMask and its aim to provide a gateway to P2P technology and provide the tools necessary to make usable apps. Listen in for Dan’s insight on social collateral and learn how social networks could be leveraged to make everyone a VC.

Topics Covered

Dan’s take on CrytoKitties

• Personal theory that first viral thing would be trivial
• New mechanics, too much on line in serious contexts

Dan’s introduction to cryptocurrency

• Always into tech, politics (governance platforms)
• Shared passion with founder to make tech accessible

The genesis of MetaMask

• Attempt to make app on Ethereum blockchain
• Set out to solve for identity, key management
• Provide gateway to peer-to-peer technology

The long-term vision of MetaMask

• Individual holds own keys and decides where to store
• Stay ahead of what ecosystem needs, tools to make apps

Dan’s strength as an improviser

• Building otamatone instrument
• Listen, react and collaborate

Dan’s insight on the concept of social collateral

• Multiply spending power of social networks
• Monetize following by investing in beliefs

Dan’s greatest accomplishments at MetaMask

• Surviving crypto-mania
• Building talented team

Dan’s definition of success

• Expand opportunities for others

Connect with Dan

MetaMask https://metamask.io/
MetaMask on Twitter https://twitter.com/metamask_io
MetaMask on GitHub https://github.com/MetaMask/metamask-extension
Dan on Twitter https://twitter.com/danfinlay
Dan on Medium https://medium.com/@danfinlay

Resources

CryptoKitties https://www.cryptokitties.co/
BitTorrent https://www.bittorrent.com/
Dark Tower Book Series https://www.stephenking.com/darktower/book/
Reddit Showerthoughts https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/

Connect with Boost VC

Boost VC Website https://www.boost.vc/
Boost VC on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boostvc/
Boost VC on Twitter https://twitter.com/BoostVC