Keywords

crypto, options trading, academia, finance, blockchain, innovation, research, startup, physicist, democratization

Summary

In this episode, Brad interviews Guillaume, a physicist turned crypto entrepreneur, who shares his journey from academia to the world of blockchain and finance. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the crypto space, the importance of research and scientific methods, and the potential for democratizing access to financial tools. Guillaume emphasizes the need for innovation in crypto, particularly in options trading, and reflects on the role of academics in shaping the future of this industry.

Takeaways

Guillaume transitioned from academia to crypto to stay close to research and innovation.

He believes that options trading can democratize access to financial tools.

The crypto space is still evolving, with many opportunities for innovation.

Guillaume emphasizes the importance of understanding the scientific method in research.

He sees a parallel between physics and finance in terms of problem-solving.

The future of finance will likely involve a blend of traditional and decentralized systems.

Guillaume's company, Panoptic, aims to create options protocols on the blockchain.

He encourages PhD students to explore diverse career paths beyond academia.

The crypto community is filled with academics who are serious about research.

Guillaume believes that the foundations of crypto technology are strong and promising.

Xin's podcast ⁠ which we refer to.

AI generated Notes

Summary:

In this conversation, Xin describes his experience with the education system in China. He grew up in Nanjing and attended a series of academically competitive schools. Xin's parents prioritized education, which led to frequent moves to be closer to good schools. Xin describes his kindergarten as strict, with teachers who would yell at students and even physically punish them. In elementary school, Xin focused on math and coding competitions, which prepared him for high school. In high school, Xin attended a prestigious school that had different paths for students to choose from, including STEM competitions, guaranteed entry to top universities, or studying abroad. Xin chose to study abroad in the US, which he felt aligned better with his personality and interests. Xin shares his experience of navigating the Chinese education system and applying to US universities. He discusses the challenges of choosing a path and the pressure to excel academically. Xin explains the unique system in China where students have to sign an agreement to not participate in the college entrance examination if they choose to study abroad. He also talks about the importance of TOEFL and SAT scores for Chinese students applying to US universities. Xin reflects on his own application process and the role of luck in getting accepted. He discusses the lack of exploration and agency in the Chinese education system and the difficulty of adjusting to a new culture and language in the US. Xin reflects on her experience as a Chinese student in the US and the challenges of fitting in. He emphasizes the importance of not holding oneself to external expectations and finding one's own definition of success. Xin shares his journey in the finance industry, starting with an investment banking internship in Hong Kong and his subsequent job in New York. He discusses the role of a quant trader and the skills required for the job. Xin also talks about the value of pursuing a master's degree and the opportunities it provided for self-reflection and exploration. In this final part of the conversation, Xin discusses his transition from AQR to Uniswap and his role as a researcher. He shares his experience at AQR, the differences between AQR and SIG, and the challenges he faced in his role. Xin also talks about his decision to switch to a full-time crypto job and his interest in the crypto industry. He explains his approach to decision-making and the importance of finding the right metrics to optimize in life. Xin mentions several books and podcasts that have influenced his thinking and helped him in his personal and professional development.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:46 New Chapter

06:32 The Education System in China

12:34 Moving for Good Schools

20:57 Elementary School Experience

27:43 Challenges and Pressures

36:07 Choosing to Study Abroad

41:23 Navigating the Chinese Education System and Applying to US Universities

51:14 The Role of Luck in the Application Process

55:18 The Lack of Exploration and Agency in the Chinese Education System

01:05:07 Challenges of Cultural Adjustment and Language Barriers

01:12:46 Navigating External Expectations and Defining Success

01:16:00 The Role of a Quant Trader in Finance

01:19:03 The Value of a Master's Degree

01:26:01 Opportunities for Personal Growth in the US Education System

01:49:24 The Challenges and Differences in Roles

01:56:38 Switching to a Full-Time Crypto Job

02:00:33 Optimizing Metrics in Life

02:07:01 Continuous Learning and Improvement

02:14:47 Influential Books and Podcasts

AI Generated Show Notes:

Summary

In the conversation, Arjun Mohammed discusses the challenges of competing against larger companies as a startup and the importance of creative thinking and differentiation. He highlights that skills like marketing and understanding the customer are often more important than technical expertise. Arjun also mentions the significance of knowing the customer's day-to-day and finding effective forms of communication. These small details, when combined, contribute to a successful product.

Keywords

startup, competition, resources, creative thinking, differentiation, marketing, understanding the customer, communication

Takeaways

Competing against larger companies as a startup requires creative thinking and differentiation.

Skills like marketing and understanding the customer are often more important than technical expertise.

Knowing the customer's day-to-day and finding effective forms of communication are crucial.

Small details and considerations can make a significant impact on the success of a product.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Arjun's Role at Microsoft

05:19 Software Engineering and Backend Development

08:54 The Importance of Soft Skills in Software Engineering

15:01 Perks and Potential for Coasting at Big Tech Companies

20:09 Exploring Startups and Creating Solutions

37:27 Learning from Mentors and Experiences in Internships and Startups

43:40 Learning How to Sell in the Tech Industry

45:14 The Flexibility of a Computer Science Degree

48:28 Studying Computer Engineering and Computer Science at Waterloo

54:00 The Influence of Degree Titles and the Importance of Experience

01:03:02 The Impact of AI Tools in Various Fields

01:07:37 New Chapter

01:07:54 The Role of LLMs in Job Execution and Efficiency

01:10:38 The Significance of Clean Code in Software Engineering