Micky Malka described Ribbit Capital as a bunch of rebels because they challenge the status quo in financial services, focusing on innovation and customer benefit rather than following traditional paths. They use Star Wars analogies to emphasize their mission and mindset.
Ribbit Capital decided to avoid labels and titles because Micky Malka grew up in a culture without such rigid categorizations, and he believes that labels can box people in. The focus is on finding amazing people, not on predefined roles, allowing for more flexibility and teamwork.
Micky Malka declared fintech dead in 2023 to signal the need for reinvention and a shift in focus. He believes that to continue playing an infinite game and staying ahead, they needed to change the rules and look for new opportunities rather than staying complacent.
Ribbit Capital invested in stablecoins early on because they saw them as a modern equivalent of American Express travel checks, providing a way to store and move value with zero fees and instant access, especially for people outside the U.S. with unstable currencies.
Micky Malka believes that combining AI and crypto is crucial because AI generates vast amounts of content and tokens that need to be regulated and tokenized, and crypto technology is best suited for this task. This intersection enables the creation of advanced use cases like smart contracts for automated services.
Ribbit Capital partnered with Walmart to build a digital-first financial services company because they saw an opportunity to leverage Walmart's trusted brand and customer base to offer innovative, digital financial products. This approach allowed them to serve millions of customers from inception, reducing the cost and complexity of customer acquisition.
Micky Malka emphasizes the importance of brand because he believes that great brands underpromise and overdeliver, building trust and loyalty. He learned that spending time on marketing and storytelling is essential for building a strong brand, which is critical for long-term success.
Micky Malka is interested in digital art and NFTs because he sees artists as early indicators of broader cultural and technological shifts. He believes that the dynamic and interactive nature of digital art reflects the future of various industries and the interconnectedness of knowledge, wealth, and power.
Micky Malka finds travel and meeting people around the world energizing because it reminds him that the world is much bigger than Silicon Valley and that most people are good and trying to build something. Interacting with diverse individuals and hearing their stories provides a fresh perspective and new energy.
My guest today is Micky Malka). Micky is the founder of Ribbit Capital, a global venture capital firm that focuses exclusively on financial technology investments. He is a renowned investor for his adaptability and visionary approach and a believer in killing the thing that got you to where you are in pursuit of what’s next. We discuss his perspective on fintech’s evolution and why his firm boldly declares that “fintech is dead.” We dive into his theory of the "grid," which examines how knowledge, wealth, and power are being transformed by technological changes, particularly through the rise of AI, cryptocurrency, and network states. And we also explore Micky’s deep interest in digital art and NFTs, which he sees as early indicators of broader cultural and technological shifts. You’ll soon hear how he is truly taking a generative approach on all fronts. Please enjoy this in-depth conversation with Micky Malka.
My guests today For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.)
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Show Notes:
(00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best
(00:06:37) The Rebel Spirit of Ribbit
(00:07:36) Ribbit's Unique Structure and Philosophy
(00:08:07) The First Fund and Institutional Partners
(00:09:03) Founding Principles and No Labels Approach
(00:13:44) Early Investments and the Crypto Angle
(00:16:42) The FinTech Evolution and Market Dynamics
(00:22:30) Navigating Challenges: The Robinhood Story
(00:28:57) The Global Digital Grid Concept
(00:36:09) The Future of Digital Identity and Tokenization
(00:41:00) The Role of Stablecoins in the Modern Economy
(00:50:16) The Challenge of Adaptability
(00:53:05) The Role of Heart in Business
(00:55:19) The Walmart Partnership Story
(01:00:07) Lessons from NuBank
(01:02:49) Building a Strong Team
(01:09:28) The Importance of Brand
(01:11:52) Art and Its Future
(01:17:20) The Impact of Better Money
(01:19:27) Reflections and Future Plans
(01:28:03) Handling Crises and Embracing Movement
(01:31:40) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Done For Micky