How to think faster and talk smarter, with Matt Abrahams
Matt Abrahams knows what it takes to win over a crowd, close a deal, or inspire a team. The renowned communication expert and Stanford business school lecturer shares his science-backed strategies for overcoming public speaking anxiety and more.
Check out Matt’s podcast and book: https://www.fastersmarter.io/
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Building trust in crypto with Jonathan Levin of Chainalysis
Late last week, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission chair Gary Gensler said that he was “proud to serve” the agency, which some are taking as a hint at an upcoming resignation. Gensler has faced heavy criticism for his crackdown on crypto, including a recent lawsuit from 18 states, and is likely to be replaced under President-Elect Donald Trump who has vowed to oust Gensler. On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is meeting with Brian Armstrong, the CEO of crypto exchange Coinbase, to discuss potential personnel appointments.
Today on Equity, we're bringing you an interview between Rebecca Bellan and co-founder and CSO of blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, Jonathan Levin. The pair caught up at our Strictly VC event in New York shortly before the Gary Gensler news dropped to discuss:
The imminent change for crypto in the wake of the US election
Trends in crypto crime
Chainalysis’s choice to run its operations in the US
How to build trust in crypto
Equity is TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday.
Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast.
Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.
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The paths to power: How to grow your influence and advance your career | Jeffrey Pfeffer (author of 7 Rules of Power, professor at Stanford GSB)
Jeffrey Pfeffer teaches the single most popular (and somewhat controversial) class at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business: The Paths to Power. He’s also the author of 16 books, including 7 Rules of Power: Surprising—But True—Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career. He has taught at Harvard, the London Business School, and IESE and has written for publications like Fortune and the Washington Post. Recognized by the Academy of Management and listed in the Thinkers50 Hall of Fame, Jeffrey also serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards, bringing his expertise to global audiences through seminars and executive education. In our conversation, we discuss:
• Jeffrey’s seven rules of power
• How individuals can acquire and use power in business
• Networking, and how to do it effectively
• How to build a non-cringe personal brand
• How to increase your influence to amplify your impact
• Examples and stories of people building power
• Tradeoffs and challenges that come with power
—
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Find the transcript at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/the-paths-to-power-jeffrey-pfeffer
—
Where to find Jeffrey Pfeffer:
• X: https://x.com/JeffreyPfeffer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-pfeffer-57a01b6/
• Website: https://jeffreypfeffer.com/
• Podcast: https://jeffreypfeffer.com/pfeffer-on-power/
—
Where to find Lenny:
• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com
• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/
—
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Jeffrey’s background
(02:54) Understanding discomfort with power
(04:56) Power skills for underrepresented groups
(07:51) The popularity and challenges of Jeffrey’s class at Stanford
(12:21) The seven rules of power
(13:03) Success stories from his course
(15:43) Building a personal brand
(21:11) Getting out of your own way
(26:04) Breaking the rules to gain power
(30:34) Networking relentlessly
(40:10) Why Jeffrey says to “pursue weak ties”
(42:00) Using your power to build more power
(44:34) The importance of appearance and body language
(47:15) Mastering the art of presentation
(55:12) Examples of homework assignments that Jeffrey gives students
(59:11) People will forget how you acquired power
(01:03:58) More good people need to have power
(01:10:49) The price of power and autonomy
(01:17:13) A homework assignment for you
—
Referenced:
• Gerald Ferris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerald-r-ferris-5816b1b5/
• Political Skill at Work: https://tarjomefa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/4173-engilish.pdf
• Laura Esserman, MD: https://cancer.ucsf.edu/people/esserman.laura
• Taylor Swift’s website: https://www.taylorswift.com/
• Matthew 7: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207&version=NIV
• Mother Teresa quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/2887-if-you-judge-people-you-have-no-time-to-love
• Paths to Power course description: https://jeffreypfeffer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Pfeffer-OB377-Course-Outline-2018.pdf
• 7 Rules of Power: https://jeffreypfeffer.com/books/7-rules-of-power/
• The Knowing-Doing Gap: https://jeffreypfeffer.com/books/the-knowing-doing-gap/
• Derek Kan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekkan/
• Mitt Romney on X: https://x.com/mittromney
• Elaine Chao’s website: https://www.elainechao.com/
• Tony Hsieh: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Hsieh
• Zappos: https://www.zappos.com/
• How I Did It: Zappos’s CEO on Going to Extremes for Customers: https://hbr.org/2010/07/how-i-did-it-zapposs-ceo-on-going-to-extremes-for-customers
• McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/
• Bain & Company: https://www.bain.com/
• BCG: https://www.bcg.com/
• Keith Ferrazzi’s website: https://www.keithferrazzi.com/
• Deloitte: https://www2.deloitte.com/
• Tristan Walker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanwalker/
• Foursquare: https://foursquare.com/
• Laura Chau on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-chau/
• Canaan Partners: https://www.canaan.com/
• Andreessen Horowitz: https://a16z.com/
• Sequoia Capital: https://www.sequoiacap.com/
• Greylock: https://greylock.com/
• The Women Who Venture (WoVen) Podcast: https://www.canaan.com/woven/podcasts
• Imposter syndrome: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/imposter-syndrome
• Gary Loveman and Harrah’s Entertainment: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/case-studies/gary-loveman-harrahs-entertainment
• “If you need help, just ask”: Underestimating compliance with direct requests for help: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/publications/if-you-need-help-just-ask-underestimating-compliance-direct-requests
• Life story of Kathleen Frances Fowler: https://www.forevermissed.com/kathleenfowler/lifestory
• Jason Calacanis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis/
• Jason Calacanis: A Case Study in Creating Resources: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/case-studies/jason-calacanis-case-study-creating-resources
• You’re Invited: The Art and Science of Connection, Trust, and Belonging: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Invited-Science-Cultivating-Influence/dp/0063030977
• View from the Top: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/experience/learning/guest-speakers/view-top
• Omid Kordestani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omid-kordestani-46515151/
• Netscape: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netscape
• Esther Wojcicki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherwojcicki/
• Leanne Williams: https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/leanne-williams
• Precision Psychiatry: Using Neuroscience Insights to Inform Personally Tailored, Measurement-Based Care: https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Psychiatry-Neuroscience-Personally-Measurement-Based/dp/1615371583
• Mark Granovetter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-granovetter-8161704/
• The Strength of Weak Ties: https://snap.stanford.edu/class/cs224w-readings/granovetter73weakties.pdf
• Getting a Job: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Job-Study-Contacts-Careers/dp/0226305813
• Acting with Power: https://www.amazon.com/Acting-Power-More-Powerful-Believe/dp/110190397X
• Articles by Herminia Ibarra: https://herminiaibarra.com/articles/
• Kingdom of the Planet of the Ape: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11389872/
• Jim Collins’s website: https://www.jimcollins.com/
• Dana Carney on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danarosecarney/
• Baba Shiv: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/baba-shiv
• Tony Hayward: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Hayward
• Lloyd Blankfein: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lloyd_Blankfein
• Regis McKenna: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regis_McKenna
• Jack Valenti: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Valenti
• Salman Rushdie quote: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/434175220328596286/
• How to build deeper, more robust relationships | Carole Robin (Stanford GSB professor, “Touchy Feely”): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/build-robust-relationships-carole-robin
• Carole Robin’s 15% rule: https://pen-name.notion.site/Carole-Robin-on-Lenny-s-Podcast-dc7159208e4242428f4b11ebc92285eb
• Karlie Kloss on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karliekloss
• Lindsey Graham’s website: https://www.lindseygraham.com/
• Was Microsoft’s Empire Built on Stolen Code? We May Never Know: https://www.wired.com/2012/08/ms-dos-examined-for-thef/
• Who’s who of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful friends, associates and possible co-conspirators: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/12/us/jeffrey-epstein-associates-possible-accomplices/index.html
• Why Did Martha Stewart Go to Prison? A Look Back at Her 2004 Fraud Case: https://people.com/martha-stewart-fraud-case-prison-sentence-look-back-8550277
• Dianne Feinstein: https://www.congress.gov/member/dianne-feinstein/F000062
• Richard Blum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_C._Blum
• Athena Care Network: https://www.athenacarenetwork.org
• James G. March: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_G._March
• Satya Nadella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satyanadella/
• Trump Organization fined $1.6 million for tax fraud: https://apnews.com/article/politics-legal-proceedings-new-york-city-donald-trump-manhattan-e2f1d01525dafb64be8738c8b4f32085
• Rudy Giuliani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Giuliani
• Harvard president resigns amid claims of plagiarism and antisemitism backlash: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/jan/02/harvard-president-claudine-gay-resigns
• Stanford president resigns after fallout from falsified data in his research: https://www.npr.org/2023/07/19/1188828810/stanford-university-president-resigns
• Rudy Crew: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Crew
—
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—
Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe
Future of Work: AI
In the third and final part of our Future of work series, Kara and Scott chat with Susan Athey, who teaches The Economics of Technology at Stanford Graduate School of Business. They take a deep dive into AI, discussing how it will impact work as we know it, and whether all the doom and gloom is justified.
Follow Susan at @Susan_Athey.
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Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.
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How to speak more confidently and persuasively | Matt Abrahams (professor, podcast host, author, speaker)
Matt Abrahams is a renowned communication expert, with decades of teaching, coaching, and consulting experience. At Stanford University, he teaches a business school class on strategic communication. Beyond academia, he’s a sought-after keynote speaker and consultant, guiding presenters from IPO road shows to prestigious platforms like TED, the World Economic Forum, and the United Nations. His acclaimed podcast, Think Fast, Talk Smart, garners millions of listeners, and his book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter, equips speakers with practical skills for impromptu success. With a previous bestseller, Speaking Up Without Freaking Out, Matt has empowered countless individuals to speak confidently and authentically. In our conversation, we discuss:
• The concept of “daring to be dull”
• The power of visualization to desensitize oneself to speaking situations
• Managing negative self-talk
• The WHAT structure for delivering toasts (why we are here, how you are connected, anecdote, thanks)
• The ADD structure for Q&As (answer, detailed example, describe relevance)
• Breathing techniques to reduce anxiety, such as the double exhale
• Concrete speaking structures like What? So What? Now What? and the Four I’s (information, impact, invitation, implications)
• Much more
—
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Find the transcript and references at: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-speak-more-confidently-and
—
Where to find Matt Abrahams:
• X: https://twitter.com/tftsthepod
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maabrahams/
• Website: https://mattabrahams.com/
• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ll0MwobDt1JW9gYaOONEo
—
Where to find Lenny:
• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com
• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/
—
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Matt’s background
(04:50) Techniques for managing anxiety in public speaking
(10:57) Dare to be dull
(13:40) Reframing anxiety as excitement
(16:08) Using mantras to boost confidence
(18:45) Managing negative self-talk
(20:03) Normalizing speaking anxiety
(23:12) Using conversation as a communication technique
(24:52) Using the double-exhale breathing technique
(28:29) Getting present-oriented
(29:46) Using tongue twisters
(33:34) Broad advice for speaking on the spot
(38:35) The PREP structure
(38:59) The What? So What? Now What? structure
(42:10) Toastmasters and improv
(45:31) Getting better at small talk
(51:05) The importance of sharing back
(52:33) Giving feedback
(56:31) Improving toasts and tributes
(01:02:57) Mastering Q&A sessions
(01:07:25) Apologizing effectively
(01:09:29) Closing thoughts
—
Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.
—
Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com/subscribe
Anat Admati on How to Never Bail Out Banks Again
We're coming up to the one-year anniversary of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, which sparked a fresh conversation about the role of banks in the wider economy. Last year's banking drama culminated in the Federal Reserve unveiling a new liquidity facility for lenders and the US government made bank customers whole even beyond the $250,000 limit on guaranteed deposit insurance. So what did we learn from the March banking crisis? And what could we be doing differently now? In this episode, we speak with Anat Admati, professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business, about why bank bailouts (in all their different varieties) persist and what can be done about it. Anat became a major advocate of banking reform following the 2008 financial crisis, and has continued to lobby regulators and government officials for fundamental change. She discusses why banks are structurally disincentivized to behave like other types of companies, the impact of new capital requirements including the Basel Endgame proposal, and competition with other types of lenders including private credit.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Darrell Duffie On How to Fix the World’s Most Important Market
In the global financial system, US Treasuries play a special role. They’re basically as close to cash as a financial asset can get and their yields act as the "risk-free" rate against which all other assets are measured. In other words, the US Treasury market is supposed to be the safest and most liquid in the world. But Treasuries have also been at the center of some pretty big financial events in recent years, including the March 2020 sell-off and the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank this year. The Federal Reserve has had to step in to support the market, and now there’s concern over who will buy all these bonds as the US Treasury ramps up its borrowing. So why does the world’s most important market keep experiencing these issues? And what can be done to improve the way Treasuries are bought and sold? In this episode, we speak with Stanford University finance professor Darrell Duffie, who just presented a paper about this very issue to central bankers at the annual Jackson Hole symposium. We talk to him about why the Treasury market keeps experiencing problems, what can be done to fix it, and why the issue is gaining more urgency.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
#118 Dean of Stanford GSB, Jonathan Levin: Innovation Engines
Jon Levin has been teaching at Stanford for more than 20 years, and has been the dean of the famous Graduate School of Business since 2016. Although teaching at Stanford puts him in contact with some of the most promising future entrepreneurs in tech, he says he hasn’t yet been tempted to leave academia for a startup because “I actually love being part of an institution that’s gonna be around for hundreds of years.” As public trust in institutions has eroded in recent years, Jon and his colleagues have had to make changes. For example: Proactively challenging GSB students to think about “What does it mean to be a leader of an organization in today’s world?”
In this episode, Jon and Joubin discuss honorific names, applying research in the real world, matching med school students, the “endless frontier,” the globalization of innovation, the entrepreneurial “itch,” the erosion of trust in institutions, US-China relations, students from Ukraine and Russia, what the GSB admissions staff looks for, self-awareness, the “Touchy Feely” class, and the serendipity of in-person classes.
In this episode, we cover:
The John Bates Clark Medal, and researching economic topics like auction design (01:56)
Nobel Prize winners at the Stanford GSB and the uniqueness of the US university system (10:15)
Teaching entrepreneurial students and the value of institutions (16:30)
Being affirmative vs. reactive and how Jon measures success (23:07)
International MBA students and the importance of geographic diversity (27:27)
Growing up in an academic family and how Jon’s theory of teaching (34:47)
The qualities that “great” GSB alumni have in common, and the gradual changes to business school cohorts (39:12)
The qualities of “great” faculty and what was lost when classes moved to Zoom during COVID (47:06)
Links:
Connect with JonLinkedIn
Connect with JoubinTwitter
LinkedIn
Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com
Learn more about Kleiner Perkins
This episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm
The Art and Science of Moderating Discussions
Whether it’s moderating a live panel discussion, managing your (virtual) All Hands meeting, or even guiding a cross-functional team to a decision in an important meeting, mastering the art of helping a group communicate is a critical skill for many of us.
In this episode from November 2020, expert communications and presentations coach Matt Abrahams, who is also a lecturer at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, sits down with Sonal Choksi to share frameworks, strategies and many concrete tips for how anyone can become a better moderator and facilitator. They cover everything from how to approach prep work (like, can you be too prepared?) and how to handle disruptions on the fly to the subtle differences between in-person and virtual events, the ways our own ticks can manifest before an audience, and more.
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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The Blueprint E1: Branding yourself, + Jeffrey Pfeffer on the 7 Rules of Power | E1507
Today we kick off our new series, "The Blueprint." Jason gives practical advice on how to brand yourself (1:33). Then, Jason sits down with Stanford professor and author Jeffrey Pfeffer to talk about his new book, "7 Rules of Power: Surprising--but True--Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career" (14:36).
(0:00) Jason tees up today’s show!
(1:33) The Blueprint E1: branding yourself
(13:39) Visa. Learn more about Visa’s online Small Business Hub at Visa.com/smallbusinesshub.
(14:36) Jeffrey Pfeffer speaks about his book “7 rules of Power”
(28:26) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at https://linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(29:56) Break the rules: Why are people so uncomfortable breaking the rules?
(37:41) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(38:58) Show up in a powerful fashion: body language
(41:45) Building a brand
(50:12) Use your power
(53:53) Trump using his power
(56:46) Once you have power, what you did will be forgiven forgotten or both
(1:01:42) Q&A: how do introverts exert power?
(1:02:46) Best networking tips
Systems Leadership for Disruptors and Incumbents
There's been a false dichotomy in technology and management lore over the past decade, between "brain" and "brawn", digital and physical, independence and interdependence, software culture versus industrial culture… or so observes Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer, former big-company executive, and startup founder Robert Siegel in his new book, The Brains and Brawn Company: How leading organizations blend the best of digital and physical.
Whether you're an early startup or a Fortune 500 company, we live in an increasingly complex world -- which means embracing digitization is not enough. But logistics, supply chains, and infrastructure are messy, ugly, and hard. So today's leaders have to think completely differently, in terms of ecosystems; and they're often in the position of having to influence but not have control. So when and how do they assert power in an ecosystem? When do they try to shape it? When do they sit back? What to do if their channel partner suddenly changes? When do you want to stay frenemies and when do you wanna be enemies? These are just some of the hard questions companies today have to wrestle with... All boiling down to when and where to partner, when to go it alone?
So in this hallway-style discussion among Siegel and fellow Stanford b-school lecturers Jeffrey Immelt (former CEO of GE) and a16z general partner Jeff Jordan -- in conversation with host Sonal Chokshi -- the group wrestles with these questions, spinning through several different company examples such as Instacart and Stripe to Apple and Android/Google to Disney, Peloton, and others. But we talk too much about the outliers; we need to also talk more about the tools, and mindsets, that leaders of all kinds -- not just the once-in-a-generation leaders! -- can use. After all, argues Siegel, "Incumbents are not doomed and disruptors are not ordained."
The views expressed here are those of the AH Capital Management, L.L.C. (“a16z”) personnel quoted and are not the views of a16z or its affiliates. Certain information contained in here has been obtained from third-party sources, including from portfolio companies of funds managed by a16z. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, a16z has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation. In addition, this content may include third-party advertisements; a16z has not reviewed such advertisements and does not endorse any advertising content contained therein.
This content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. References to any securities or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only, and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investors or prospective investors, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by a16z. (An offering to invest in an a16z fund will be made only by the private placement memorandum, subscription agreement, and other relevant documentation of any such fund and should be read in their entirety.) Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by a16z, and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. A list of investments made by funds managed by Andreessen Horowitz (excluding investments for which the issuer has not provided permission for a16z to disclose publicly as well as unannounced investments in publicly traded digital assets) is available at https://a16z.com/investments/.
Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see https://a16z.com/disclosures for additional important information.
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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How to Moderate Talks, Panels, Meetings, More (Virtual and Beyond!)
How to moderate good, productive discussions and navigate tricky conversations is top of mind -- whether doing a panel, conducting a live event, presenting a talk (or hosting a podcast), managing (and even just participating in!) a meeting. Especially in a world where remote and virtual work is increasingly become the norm for many knowledge workers, one in which we're increasingly communicating through little "Hollywood Squares, Brady Bunch"-like boxes.
So how to translate physical and nonverbal presence in such virtual environments, or voice-only modes? How to manage unruly discussions? Do parasocial vs. social interactions change things? And beyond these broader contexts, how do the things inside us -- whether agendas, tics, anxiety -- manifest outwardly, and can we better control them?
In this episode of the a16z Podcast, Matt Abrahams -- lecturer at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (where he also has a podcast, "Think Fast Talk Smart"); principal and co-founder of Bold Echo (a company that helps people with presentation and communication skills); and author of Speaking Up Without Freaking Out -- shares frameworks and best practices, in conversation with Sonal Chokshi. The discussion offers many concrete tips for moderation and communication for anyone, across all kinds of mediums and modes.
image: Paul Hudson / Flickr
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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The Rogue 100: How Cryptocurrency Criminals Cash Out - Ep.156
Jonathan Levin, co-founder and CSO of Chainalysis, and Kim Grauer, head of research, discuss the company's 2020 Crypto Crime Report, which explores how cryptocurrency criminals, who perpetrate hacks and scams and send out ransomware and more, cash out. We cover how criminals are turning their illicit crypto into fiat currency, why exchanges are a prime avenue for money laundering, and how over-the-counter brokers are playing a large role. They talk about a group of OTC brokers they describe as the Rogue 100, what their transactions look like, and what can be done to help stop criminals from cashing out. Jonathan and Kim talk about the PlusToken scam, the largest Ponzi scheme in crypto and how Chainalysis determined that it was likely driving down the price of Bitcoin. They also explain the trends in exchange hacks and how the most prolific hackers have grown more sophisticated, giving some examples of how the Lazarus Group, a cybercriminal syndicate linked to the North Korean government has become more advanced. Finally, we also discuss ransomware and terrorism financing and what trends they are seeing there.
Thank you to our sponsors!
CipherTrace: https://ciphertrace.com/unchained
Kraken: https://www.kraken.com
Crypto.com: https://crypto.com
Episode links:
Chainalysis: https://www.chainalysis.com/
Jonathan Levin: https://twitter.com/jony_levin
Kim Grauer: https://twitter.com/KimberlyGrauer
Previous Unchained interview with Jonathan: https://unchainedpodcast.com/how-chainalysis-helps-solve-crimes-jonathan-levin-tells-all-ep-62/
Unconfirmed episode on how Bitcoin led to the demise of the largest child porn site: https://unchainedpodcast.com/how-bitcoin-led-to-the-demise-of-the-largest-child-porn-site/
Money laundering report: https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/money-laundering-cryptocurrency-2019
https://fortune.com/2020/01/15/crypto-criminals-brokers-launder-billions/
Exchange hacks report: https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/cryptocurrency-exchange-hacks-2019
Unchained interview with Priscilla Moriuchi on why North Korea is interested in cryptocurrency: https://unchainedpodcast.com/why-north-korea-is-interested-in-cryptocurrency/
Plus Token report: https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/plustoken-scam-bitcoin-price
Terrorism financing report: https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/terrorism-financing-cryptocurrency-2019
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How Chainalysis Helps Solve Crimes: Jonathan Levin Tells All - Ep.62
Jonathan Levin, cofounder and chief operating officer for blockchain analytics company Chainalysis, describes how the company was born out of questions he had while a grad student, how they began mapping the Bitcoin blockchain to certain entities, and how their customers, which include government agencies such as the FBI, DEA, IRS, Europol and others, use Chainalysis to help solve Bitcoin crimes. He also reveals what level of detail the software tracks, how privacy coins could affect their work, and what new developments in the technology could decrease current crimes, such as physical extortion of crypto holders. Plus, he answers the question of whether or not Chainalysis's work destroys the fungibility of Bitcoin.
Chainalysis: http://chainalysis.com/
Jonathan Levin: https://twitter.com/jony_levin
Chainalysis report on the changing nature of crypto crime: https://www.chainalysis.com/static/Cryptocrime_Report_V2.pdf
Forbes article on Chainalysis: https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2018/04/05/snooping-on-bitcoin-is-big-business/#234e6792d198
Usage of Chainalysis by IRS: https://www.thedailybeast.com/irs-now-has-a-tool-to-unmask-bitcoin-tax-cheats
Threats of violence against bitcoin and other crypto holders: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/18/technology/virtual-currency-extortion.html
Thank you to our sponsors!
Blockchain Warehouse: https://www.blockchainwarehouse.com/
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