Crypto In America Are We In A Crypto Winter? Mo Shaikh on VC Leaving, Deglobalization, and Market Downturn
Feb 18, 2026
Mo Shaikh, co-founder and GP at Maximum Frequency Ventures who helped build Aptos and worked on Facebook/Libra, shares sharp on-the-ground views from Hong Kong. He discusses why quality founders still signal amid the downturn. He explores deglobalization’s impact on investing. He weighs whether VC is pulling back and if a longer crypto winter is coming.
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Signal Exists Amid Bear Market Conferences
- Despite a bear market vibe, Mo Shaikh found strong signal and hungry founders at Hong Kong Consensus.
- He noted surprisingly few Western venture funds on the ground, creating an opportunity for boots-on-the-ground investors.
Seeing The Ground Changes Perspective
- Mo was surprised by on-the-ground vibrancy after visiting Shanghai and Beijing for the first time.
- He emphasized that direct exposure gives a clearer temperature of fast-moving ecosystems than distant observation.
Put Boots On The Ground
- Build true bridges by putting people on the ground in target regions rather than staying remote.
- Mo's fund places partners in Asia and the U.S. to create cultural resonance and operational coverage.