Join us for an inspiring conversation with Wyatt Lonergan, a visionary investor at VanEck Ventures, as he shares his incredible journey of becoming a key player in Web3 and blockchain innovation. Wyatt’s story is one of curiosity, resilience, and a passion for building the future of finance. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a crypto enthusiast, or simply curious about Web3, this episode is packed with insights on stablecoins, DeFi, tokenized assets, and venture capital.What You'll Learn:💸 How Wyatt’s early travels to China shaped his entrepreneurial mindset 💸 The pivotal moment that sparked his fascination with blockchain and crypto 💸 Lessons learned from Circle Ventures and how they’re shaping VanEck Ventures💸 Why stablecoins are the "gateway drug" to crypto and their role in tokenized cash💸 VanEck’s investment thesis and what they look for in founders 💸 Exciting verticals like DePIN and AI in crypto, and why they’re undervalued 💸 Wyatt’s advice for first-time founders pitching to VCsThe future of tokenized assets and the convergence of equity and tokens💡 Why Watch?Wyatt’s journey is a testament to following curiosity and embracing adventure. From launching an e-commerce business in China to investing in groundbreaking Web3 projects like Legion and Czar, his story will inspire you to think big and stay resilient. If you’re curious about how blockchain is transforming finance or want to learn how to pitch to top VCs, this episode is for you!What’s your biggest takeaway from Wyatt’s journey? Are you excited about stablecoins, DePIN, or AI in crypto? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell 🔔 for more inspiring Web3 and venture capital content.************Follow Wyatt Lonergan :🔗 LinkedIn: / wyattlonergan 🔗 X: https://x.com/wyatt_lonergan************ ✉️ For any business inquiries, email me here: [email protected] ************ Listen to the full podcast here! 🎧 https://anchor.fm/constantinkogan ************Subscribe to my channel: 🔗 / @constantinkogan ************ Follow me on socials: 🌐 Website: https://ckogan.com📲 Telegram: https://t.me/constantinkogan 📸 Instagram: / constkogan 🐦 Twitter: / constantin-kogan 🎙️ Podcast: https://anchor.fm/constantinkogan ************Timestamps:0:00 - Intro 01:25 - Early Years01:54 - Kickstarting a Career in Tech and E-commerce02:24 - Building Brands and Learning Product Development02:53 - Discovering Crypto: Bitcoin’s Rise in China03:49 - The Ethereum ICO and Internet Capital Formation04:45 - Joining Seed Invest and Pioneering Regulations05:44 - Thrust into Crypto: Circle’s Acquisition06:41 - From Circle Ventures to VanEck Ventures08:08 - VanEck’s For-Profit Fund and Strategic Superpowers09:34 - Inside VanEck’s Entrepreneurial Culture11:29 - VanEck’s Early Bet on Bitcoin ETFs12:22 - Paving the Way for Crypto ETFs12:51 - VanEck’s Investment Thesis14:49 - The Future of Stablecoins16:42 - Stablecoins as Acquisition Tools18:09 - Why VanEck Backed This Capital Formation Platform21:29 - Stablecoins and Tokenized Cash24:16 - The Boom of Tokenized Assets and Payments27:07 - Czar: Uber for Stablecoins in the Global South30:19 - Stablecoins as a Tool for Value Preservation31:18 - Undervalued Verticals: DePin and AI in Crypto34:12 - Backing Compute Marketplaces and AI Talent36:37 - Crunch: A Marketplace for Decentralized Intelligence38:05 - VanEck’s Typical Investment Checks and Strategy40:30 - Top 3 Red Flags for Founders Pitching VCs43:21 - How Fast Can VanEck Move on a Deal?44:41 - The Ideal Way to Approach VanEck Ventures47:00 - Pitching Tips for First-Time Founders51:22 - Blitz Round58:31 - Final Thoughts