Ep. 70: Leveraging Social Networks to Make Everyone a VC with Dan Finlay of MetaMask

What if every individual had the ability to invest in their community? Dan Finlay sees a future in which the blockchain allows us all to function as venture capitalists, investing in the people we trust in our social networks, using our social collateral to back the things we truly believe in. Dan is a software developer and product lead at MetaMask, a bridge to the distributed web. The platform allows users to run Ethereum dApps (without running a full Ethereum node) and provides a user interface to facilitate private key management. Dan and the MetaMask team are passionate about making new technologies accessible to everyone. Today, Dan sits down with us to explain how the CryptoKitties phenomenon fit his theory around the first viral crypto application. He speaks to his entry into the blockchain space as a natural extension of his interests in technology and governance. Dan describes the genesis of MetaMask and its aim to provide a gateway to P2P technology and provide the tools necessary to make usable apps. Listen in for Dan’s insight on social collateral and learn how social networks could be leveraged to make everyone a VC. Topics Covered Dan’s take on CrytoKitties Personal theory that first viral thing would be trivial New mechanics, too much on line in serious contexts Dan’s introduction to cryptocurrency Always into tech, politics (governance platforms) Shared passion with founder to make tech accessible The genesis of MetaMask Attempt to make app on Ethereum blockchain Set out to solve for identity, key management Provide gateway to peer-to-peer technology The long-term vision of MetaMask Individual holds own keys and decides where to store Stay ahead of what ecosystem needs, tools to make apps Dan’s strength as an improviser Building otamatone instrument Listen, react and collaborate Dan’s insight on the concept of social collateral Multiply spending power of social networks Monetize following by investing in beliefs Dan’s greatest accomplishments at MetaMask Surviving crypto-mania Building talented team Dan’s definition of success Expand opportunities for others Connect with Dan MetaMask https://metamask.io/ MetaMask on Twitter https://twitter.com/metamask_io MetaMask on GitHub https://github.com/MetaMask/metamask-extension Dan on Twitter https://twitter.com/danfinlay Dan on Medium https://medium.com/@danfinlay Resources CryptoKitties https://www.cryptokitties.co/ BitTorrent https://www.bittorrent.com/ Dark Tower Book Series https://www.stephenking.com/darktower/book/ Reddit Showerthoughts https://www.reddit.com/r/Showerthoughts/ Connect with Boost VC Boost VC Website https://www.boost.vc/ Boost VC on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boostvc/ Boost VC on Twitter https://twitter.com/BoostVC