Digital Currents

In this week's roundup, we are hours away from the Bitcoin having, and Mark and Xavier discuss whether “this time is different” relative to prior Bitcoin having events. They speak about the impact of reaching Bitcoin’s all-time high ahead of its halving cycle, inflation, global ETF approvals in the US and Hong Kong, geopolitical events and even Google search results all coinciding with one of the most anticipated halvings since Bitcoin’s inception. They also comment on the latest Microsoft AI generated videos and discuss the U.S. Commerce Department’s investment in Micron.

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In the latest version of Digital Currents, Mark, Xavier and Sachin take a closer look at how this weekend's bitcoin halving may affect the digital asset ecosystem. From the Miners to the Trad-Fi giants, HODLers and Traders, this halving has many wondering where the next four-year cycle will take us. Join the MCD team as they discuss topics such as how this event could influence other blockchains, the impact of the BTC ETFs, and the inscription layers budding on the bitcoin blockchain.

Remember to Stay Current

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com. 

Dive into Digital Currents’ ABCD roundup, covering the developments that are shaping the landscape of technology and innovation. In this episode we explore the strategic partnership between the US and Japan in AI research and Google's new Axion processor. Plus, our central themes of the episode are centered around Bitcoin's 2024 halving, the economic intricacies of lower miner rewards, supply-side changes, and shifts in market-dynamics.

This week’s chart is the March US Report of the Consumer Price Index, CPI.

Remember to Stay Current

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com  Top of Form

Digital Currents hosts, Mark and Xavier, connect with Dan Heyman, Chief Strategy Officer at Candy Digital and a veteran in the blockchain industry. Dan shares insights into his journey from co-founding PegaSys to his current roles at Candy Digital and Board Member of Enterprise Ethereum Alliance. With a rich background in developing enterprise-grade blockchain protocols and a deep understanding of Ethereum, Dan discusses the significance of NFTs, the transition to Ethereum 2.0, and the implications of recent Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) like proto-danksharding (EIP-4844) as part of the Dencun Upgrade. He also explores the potential of ETH scalability and addresses concerns regarding centralization risks. Listen to Dan’s vision for the future of blockchain technology.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

Join Mark and Xavier for this week’s ABCDs Roundup, as they delve into the latest news topics in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Chips and Data. Listen to the discussion of bitcoin and the potential impact of the halving, Microsoft and Adobe teaming up in AI, and BlackRock's collaboration with Securitize for real-world asset tokenization. Further, the “chip wars” continue as China moves to phase out foreign tech giants. Plus, do not miss the chart of the week: Is the U.S. IPO Market Coming Back to Life.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com.

In this episode, our hosts Mark and Xavier unravel the visionary journey of Aaron Bumgarner, a seasoned entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of Outsyde, a trailblazing venture integrating conservation with blockchain and digital assets. With a mission to redefine land preservation, Outsyde combines forest management and blockchain to seek to maximize environmental and financial value. Listen as Aaron discusses the pitfalls of traditional carbon credits and the need to leverage NFTs to protect vital ecosystems with valuable resources, while offering community engagement and investment opportunities. The episode concludes with Aaron tackling questions on ESG, fractionalization, and the intersection of conservation and blockchain.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

Welcome to ABCD News Roundup, your source for the latest in tech and innovation. Hosts Mark and Xavier cover a range of topics, starting with Bitcoin's resurgence and the chart of the week, The Surprising After-Hours Price action of BTC.

The hosts also examine the groundbreaking AI Act passed by European lawmakers, setting new standards for AI regulation. They continue the conversation about the sovereign nation chip battle, highlighting the UK's participation in the European Union's Chips Joint Undertaking where they contributed to a $1.4 billion semiconductor research pool.

Stay Current with us as we delve deeper into these topics and more on today's ABCD News Roundup

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com.

In this episode, Mark and Xavier discuss the latest news topics in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Chips and Big Data (ABCD). Listen as they explore the resurgence of Clippy, Microsoft's infamous animated paper clip assistant from the '90s, and Databricks opting for self-reporting. Additionally, the duo discusses the upcoming Dencun upgrade in the Ethereum ecosystem and Bitcoin approaching a new record high. Further, learn of the complexities of licensing AI chips tailored for China amid US-China trade restrictions. Last, they discuss the “chart of the week” rainbow chart, showing the historical effect of the halving cycles on BTC.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com.

In this episode, Mark and Xavier discuss the latest news topics in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Chips and Big Data (ABCD). Listen as they talk about Silicon Valley's AI and Robotics developments, Gemini’s good news, Bitcoin ETFs’ record assets, and India’s $15 billion investment in chips. They also respond to a question on how to take practical action on tech news and insights. And as a bonus feature, the “chart of the week” details  the rise of the Magnificent 7.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com.

In this new series Mark and Xavier discuss the latest news topics in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Chips and Big Data (ABCD). Listen as they discuss the latest AI developments, Coinbase and NVidia earnings, Blockchain ETF approval, Intel's chip investment and more.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

n this podcast, Morgan Creek Digital’s General Partners, Mark Yusko and Xavier Segura, connect with Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise Investments (Bitwise). The hosts discuss the fascinating diffusion of innovation and rate of adoption of blockchain technology, moving from early adopters to mass adoption. The conversation emphasizes the significance of Bitcoin and explores the parallels with gold's characteristics as a monetary asset.

Further, Hunter shares the story of Bitwise, a cryptocurrency index fund provider that manages over $1.6 billion in assets. He highlights the intricacies of the recently approved Bitcoin Spot ETF, shedding light on the challenges faced, the SEC's evolving stance, and the unprecedented launch of 11 similar ETFs in a single day.

Join us as we discuss the increasing integration of blockchain technology across diverse industries.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In this special episode, we share an audio copy of our “Why Big Data is Described as the New Oil” webinar presented by Morgan Creek Digital General Partners Xavier Segura and Sachin Jaitly. Data, much like oil, is a raw resource that must be extracted, refined, and utilized to reach its full potential. Similarly, artificial intelligence, analyses and insights are used in the refining process of structured and unstructured volumes of data. As oil drove the industrial revolution, we believe data drives the digital revolution.

Listen as they explore the dynamic world of data and analytics, emphasizing that the “next-gen internet (Web3) will seek to combine the power of Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Technology, and the associated Computing Infrastructure to unlock value from Big Data”. In addition, they discuss the challenges in managing big data, stressing data quality and compliance with privacy regulations.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

Embark on an illuminating year-end odyssey with "Digital Insights 2023," an episode unraveling the technological tapestry that defined the year. Explore the multifaceted dimensions of the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Join our hosts, Xavier Segura and Mark Yusko, as they reflect on the success of NVIDIA, unexpected journeys of tech stocks, and the profound impact of AI in 2023. From the ChatGPT phenomenon to Microsoft's ambitious endeavors, they seek to separate hype from reality and gain valuable insights from the intricate dance between technology and society. The hosts also dissect the accumulation patterns in the crypto market, discuss the correlation puzzle between crypto markets and the macro environment, and explore responses to banking failures and the unexpected shifts in international interest rates. Xavier and Mark further discuss potential recalibration opportunities in 2024, characterized by innovation seedlings and a shift towards execution in the tech industry.

Stay current, stay informed, and sail into the horizon of 2024 with insights and predictions from our hosts. Happy holidays from Digital Currents!

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In this podcast episode, Mark Yusko, Sachin Jaitly, and Xavier Segura explore the pivotal role of computing infrastructure, particularly chips, in today's digital age. They shed light on the dynamic intersection of computing power, software innovation, and the ever-evolving landscape of chip design and production, recognizing the evolution of semiconductors from the early days of single transistors to the current designs with billions of transistors. The hosts also discuss critical players in the global supply chain of semiconductors, like Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, and the United States, and their respective roles in the value chain. They further emphasize steps governments are taking to diversify the ecosystem through subsidies for new manufacturing facilities.

Moreover, learn why Morgan Creek Digital anticipates a surge in specialized and advanced chips to support emerging technologies like AI, Blockchain, and data analytics, recognizing this shift as a critical component in shaping the next iteration of the internet, often referred to as "web three". This episode provides valuable insights into semiconductors, addressing their fundamental role in driving technological advancements and the global economy.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In this podcast, Mark Yusko and Frank Tanner from Morgan Creek’s Venture team connect with Tim Draper, a prominent venture capitalist, who shares his career journey and insights. Draper delves into his early passion for entrepreneurship and the inception of his venture capital firm. Further, he discusses the venture capital landscape in the 1980s, his investment strategies, and successes investing in emerging technology, like his early investments in Parametric Technology (computer software) and web-based email service provider Hotmail. In addition, Draper shares his unique approaches to venture capital, emphasizing curiosity, risk-taking, and a "what if it works" mindset.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In this special episode, we share an audio copy of our “AI Fifty Year Overnight Success Story” webinar presented by Morgan Creek Digital (MCD) General Partners Xavier Segura and Mark Yusko. Join the two as they conduct a deep dive into AI’s history, current state in the market, use cases and answer the questions listeners may be too bashful to ask. While the AI buzz has only recently peaked in the mainstream, MCD demonstrates just how long the technology has been around and its various states of evolution. With sufficient allocation of capital, MCD believes that AI offers a unique opportunity to extract valuable insights, drive efficiencies, and has the potential to revolutionize many industries.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In this podcast episode, Hosts Xavier Segura and Mark Yusko interview Scott Stornetta, Chief Scientist at Yugen Partners and a Venture Partner at Morgan Creek Digital. Scott discusses his role in the development of blockchain technology, drawing from his experiences at PARC and Bell research labs and his expertise in cryptography. The episode encapsulates themes of privacies versus liberties, trust versus verification, and futuristic innovation versus timely product-market fit. Explore the challenges of commercializing innovations, the evolution of trust in technology through cryptography, and the impact on industries. Additionally, Scott reflects on his sources of inspiration, learning from failures, and his escape routine.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com 

This podcast highlights the rapid pace of change in the digital age and the potential for value creation despite a decline in overall tech investment. Tech investments are typically cyclical, and innovation potential can be heightened during periods of economic dislocation. Hosts Xavier Segura and Mark Yusko discuss Morgan Creek Digital’s journey including investment strategies and opportunities within a dynamic landscape. In honor of the fourth of July holiday, they devote some time to thinking big and share the "ABCDs of the Digital Age," which encompasses four pillars: AI, blockchain, computing infrastructure (chips), and big data. Morgan Creek Digital seeks investment prospects at the intersection of these pillars. Through their experience and insightful conversations, Xavier and Mark highlight how the combination and advancement of ABCD may change how our world functions. 

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com 

In this episode of Digital Currents, we have a special guest, Alon Webman, CEO and Co-founder of Chain Reaction, a Morgan Creek Digital portfolio company, as well as an expert in high-performance computing, cloud and data centers, and semiconductors. Alon shares his experiences as a founder of leading interconnected solutions for data centers and as a technical operator of future-forward computing infrastructure. We delve into the link between disruptive blockchain technology and high-performance computing infrastructure, as well as the exponential hardware required for the digital age. Alon also sheds light on the role of Nvidia and its GPUs in advancing AI and next-gen data science. We explore the history and benefits of ASICs for Bitcoin mining and touch upon Chain Reaction's efforts to develop a fully homomorphic encryption chip.

Listen and stay current!

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

Xavier Segura, General Partner of Morgan Creek Digital, connects with Mark Yusko, Managing Partner of Morgan Creek Digital. The pair discuss why Q1 of 2023 had been a volatile period for capital markets and asset prices, as the Federal Reserve’s 13-month rate hike cycle contributed to stresses in the banking system. Nevertheless, Segura and Yusko explore how private markets have remained resilient and disciplined, particularly investors in emerging technology and fintech sectors. In the midst of chaos, tech leaders and operators have continued to create opportunity by feverishly building more efficient and transparent global institutions and markets. 

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com 

Xavier Segura, General Partner of Morgan Creek Digital, connects with co-founder and CEO of Trugard Labs, Anoop Nannra. Nannra, a serial entrepreneur and “intrapreneur” of fortune 100 technology companies, has established himself as a domain expert in security, blockchain, IoT, and sovereign identity technology. He discusses how Trugard provides digital asset defense and threat intelligence to proactively identify illicit crypto activities through digital asset exchanges, marketplaces, and platforms. Learn how Anoop and his team plan to serve as the first line of defense against malicious attacks for the new age internet.     

 To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com 

The launch of Bitcoin NFTs on the Ordinal Protocol has reinvigorated the discussion around NFTs. General Partners of Morgan Creek Digital, Xavier Segura and Mark Yusko, discuss the OnChain Monkey NFT collection with digital creator and co-founder Danny Yang. Learn the origin story of MetaGood cofounded by Danny Yang and Amanda Terry. Hear how their purpose-driven mission benefits communities while also inscribing existing digital artifacts on Bitcoin rails. 

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

The CEO of Elementus, Max Galka, and General Partner of Morgan Creek Digital, Xavier Segura, discuss the usage of contemporary blockchain forensic technologies for institutional-grade data analytics and threat assessments. By detecting malicious and illegal activities, Max and his team seek to stop potential threats from rogue crypto actors. The pair also discuss how the industry can work to rebuild confidence, allay fears, and lead initiatives for responsible regulation of the quickly expanding blockchain ecosystem.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/.

To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In our final episode of the year, GP Xavier Segura recaps several of the major stories and trends in the crypto industry from the criminal charges on FTX founder Sam Bankman Fried, to the challenging developments at Binance. He also discusses the current state of DeFi & Eth 2.0, Brazil approving a bill regulating the use of Bitcoin as payment, and how Microsoft could impact Blockchain Gaming.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/.

To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

On this episode, we share a conversation between General Partner Xavier Segura and Krish Kumar originally recorded on the "Kickin' it with Krish" podcast. Listen to Xavier chat about his tech background, his thoughts on web 3 and as a bonus feature, his predictions on the college football playoffs, hint, Go Blue. We hope you enjoy.

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To speak to one of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

General Partner of Morgan Creek Digital, Xavier Segura, and CEO of Horizon Blockchain Games (“Horizon”), Peter Kieltyka, discuss Horizon’s position as a video game studio and blockchain infrastructure provider that is creating new gaming and economic infrastructure that belongs to players and developers. Xavier and Peter engaged in spirited discussions about the emergence and demise of play-to-earn inflationary blockchain games, the challenges and opportunities of Web 3.0 adoption, and the impact of Ethereum’s Proof-of-Stake (PoS) Merge on EVM-compatible chains.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://www.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/. To speak to a member of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In this episode Morgan Creek General Partners Xavier Segura and Mark Yusko recap the latest news on crypto exchange FTX, which as of Wednesday November 9th, appears to be on the brink of financial collapse according to reports from numerous news media outlets. They explain how one of the largest crypto exchanges finds itself negotiating a rescue package with crypto exchange leader Binance—a one-time friend turned rival. Join us in this quick conversation where Xavier and Mark discuss lessons learned for companies in the sector, the broader crypto markets, and what it may signal for the regulatory environment. 

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://wp.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/

To speak to one of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In this episode listen to Morgan Creek Digital’s Xavier Segura and Mark Yusko recount the summer of 2022’s biggest crypto news and what it means for the industry going forward. They also discuss potential pressing macro headwinds and tailwinds faced by blockchain startups with everything from the rising investor fear index, institutional adoption to gaming and the metaverse.

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To speak to one of our team or sign up for other content, please email mcdigital@morgancreekcap.com

In this episode, we talk with Kieren James-Lubin, the CEO of BlockApps, an enterprise blockchain platform whose aim is to bring people, businesses, and sectors together through global cooperation and trust. Before founding BlockApps, Kieren was a key contributor to the development of Ethereum prior to its launch, and applied this knowledge to the development of BlockApps’ first product, STRATO. Leveraging his extensive background in technology, Kieren is now responsible for maintaining and growing BlockApps’ business, which most recently raised USD 41 million in new capital. Listen to Kieren discuss the early history of BlockApps and how blockchains may be used to solve real-world business problems, as opposed to the misconception that blockchains are solutions looking for problems. 

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In this episode, we are joined by BlockFi founder and CEO Zac Price. BlockFi is a crypto platform that provides customers a variety of products from trading and lending to credit cards and is a Morgan Creek Digital portfolio company. Join us for this engaging conversation where we learn about how BlockFi got its start and how it continues to build its lead in the crypto industry today.  

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In this episode we speak with Yonathan Lapchik, CEO of Infinite World, a metaverse builder for enterprise companies and portfolio company. We explore how Yonathan got his start in the industry beginning as an engineer in Uruguay. Along the way he went on to lead product efforts at Deloitte’s blockchain lab and eventually transitioned to running his own companies in crypto. Importantly, we hear him define what the metaverse is and why it’s important beyond crypto. We also hear Jonathan shed light on exciting industry news, Infinite World announcing its plans for a SPAC merger.  Learn how he did it and more in this informative episode of how to build like an entrepreneur.

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In this episode we speak with Pascal Gauthier, CEO of Ledger. In addition to being a portfolio company, Ledger is the leading cold storage wallet company for cryptocurrencies which also features Ledger Live, an ecosystem for connected apps. Listen as Pascal shares his insights into what makes for meaningful work, how apprenticeship can produce better employees and his unique path towards becoming the CEO of one of the most important infrastructure companies in crypto. Above all, his life lessons are ones you will not want to miss.

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Mike Cagney, the founder and CEO of Figure, discusses how his company enjoys major cost and efficiency gains by using their public blockchain, called Provenance, and putting the “tech” back into “fintech” to build the future of financial infrastructure.

In this episode, we talk with Mike Cagney, the founder and CEO of Figure. Figure offers mortgages, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), personal loans, and other financial services to both individuals and businesses. What make’s Figure unique is that all of these products are originated, securitized, and serviced on Figure’s public Provenance blockchain, saving them time and money. Figure’s creation of these traditional financial products on-chain led them to create the USDF Consortium, whose member banks can mint deposit-backed, FDIC-insured stablecoins on Provenance to enable 24/7/365 dollar transfers between banks.

To learn more, visit us on the web at https://wp.morgancreekcap.com/morgan-creek-digital/

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In this episode we are joined by CIO’s Andrew Spellar and Katherine Molnar of the Fairfax County Retirement System. Andrew Speller is the CIO of the $5.5 billion County Employee Pension Fund and Katherine Molnar is the CIO of the $2.0 billion Police Fund.  

Fairfax is an anchor investor in Morgan Creek Digital Fund III. Join us for a unique inside view from one of the top performing US public pension funds as we learn how they got off zero and took the steps to invest in crypto and blockchain at the institutional level. Listen as they share their advice on how to talk to a Board of Directors about crypto.  

In this inaugural episode GP's Mark Yusko, Xavier Segura and Sachin Jaitly welcome listeners to an entertaining and informative podcast where they discuss their backgrounds prior to launching their latest Venture Capital Fund, the story of how Morgan Creek first met Xavier and Sachin, Xavier/Sachin's thoughts on Blockchain technology and Mark shares what's to come on the podcast from CEO interviews and thought leadership to News & Opinions.