The DeFi Decoded Podcast DeFi Decoded - Rewriting the Rules of Wall Street with Carlos Domingo of Securitize
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Dec 23, 2024 
Carlos Domingo, Founder and CEO of Securitize, shares his fascinating transition from telecommunications to the Web3 and DeFi space. He dives into his experiences with SPiCE VC and discussions with financial giants like BlackRock. The conversation explores the evolving regulatory landscape, the legitimacy challenges of crypto asset management, and the innovative potential of real-world assets. Domingo also touches on the emerging differences between compliant and non-compliant DeFi projects, shedding light on the future of capital markets.
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SPiCE VC: A Seven-Year Liquid Experiment
- SPiCE VC raised roughly $15 million mostly from friends, family, and early crypto supporters in 2016–2017 and invested in early crypto startups.
- The fund traded on secondary markets and returned capital as positions liquidated over seven years.
Regulation Unlocks Institutional Interest
- Traditional asset managers ignored tokenization until firms like Securitize obtained licenses and regulatory approvals.
- Being regulated and having institutional backing (e.g., Morgan Stanley) unlocked conversations with major asset managers.
Stick To Regulated Paths
- Persist in legal, regulated builds even if competitors grow faster by operating in gray zones.
- Avoid unsustainable models: unlicensed businesses like BlockFi ultimately failed while regulated firms persisted.