"Can't Be Done"

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

Dan’s introduction to cryptocurrency

The genesis of MetaMask

The long-term vision of MetaMask

Dan’s strength as an improviser

Dan’s insight on the concept of social collateral

Dan’s greatest accomplishments at MetaMask

Dan’s definition of success

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