Changing the World through Crypto & Safe-Keeping the World of Finance, Michael Gronager-Chainalysis

From discussing the meaning of life, to the cruciality of atomic habits, to genuinely aiming to change the world, this week’s guest, Michael Gronager - CEO of crypto behemoth Chainalysis - shares fascinating insights.

With a valuation of upwards of $8 Billion, following their latest funding round in May this year, Chainalysis is providing critical financial data to enable governments, banks and blockchain companies to understand how people are using cryptocurrency.

Drawing comparisons to Google - by indexing the blockchain industry, Bloomberg - through their creation of financial data, and Reuters through their leading content arm, Chainalysis is at the forefront of blockchain companies, already a market leader, with the potential to scale to astronomic levels.

Michael dives into his journey, from growing up in Denmark and developing a close early interest in computers, to his academic research, to an epiphanic moment stuck in a typhoon in South-East Asia and all the way to founding Chainalysis. His mentality, fascination with Wabi Sabi and seeking beauty in everything, as well as creating achievable routine habits provide amazing insight into the minds of a true modern tech leader.


Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/2Hhg4gB​​
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3kKZQKl


[ 0:00 - 4:29] Chainalysis & how every company could become a crypto
company
[ 4:29 - 10:51 ] Timeframe on crypto adoption
[ 10:51 - 16:01 ] Chainalysis user cases
[ 16:01 - 18:32 ] Bridging law enforcement and the unregulated world of crypto
[ 18:32 - 21:39 ] Size and scale of Chainalysis
[ 21:39 - 25:19] Raising money in a bear market
[ 25:19 - 27:43] Taking inspiration from Google and Reuters
[ 27:43 - 32:17 ] Remaining calm and maintaining perspective
[ 32:17 - 37:32 ] 2 miles runs every morning and home-made cortados
[ 37:32 - 40:23 ] Finding beauty in everything
[ 40:23 - 43:01 ] Michael’s Mana
[ 43:01 - 46:17 ] An early fascination with computers and building things
[ 46:17 - 52:07 ] Wanting to change the world
[ 52:07 - 54:43 ] Finding the meaning of life at Bangkok airport
[ 54:43 - 56:01 ] Who is Satoshi?
[ 56:01 - 1:00:04 ] The Chainalysis Founding Story
[ 1:00:04 - 1:05:47 ] Turning Chainalysis from an idea into an empire
[ 1:04:41 - 1:07:58] Principles around culture
[ 1:07:58 - 1:13:03 ] Winning talent, mentality as king and furthering careers
[ 1:13:03 - 1:18:09 ] The Hollywood scenario for Chainalysis
[ 1:18:09 - 1:23:13 ] Considering Space & Michael’s approach to problem-solving
[ 1:23:13 - 1:26:04 ] Advice for a bear market


Searching for Mana is a UK-based podcast which focuses on tech innovation in finance, and features interviews with influencers, leaders and founders in the fintech space, from unicorn companies to financial disruptors. Previous guests have included the Director of Growth at Oaknorth, the CEO of BCB Group (the UK’s first licensed crypto bank), the CEO of Innovate Finance (the industry body for UK fintech) and Ed Vaizey, the UK’s longest serving Minister for Technology.
Each hour-long episode gains insight into how the guest got into fintech, what they’re currently focused on, what their companies are all about, as well as some of the important trends within the wider fintech sector.

The show is presented by Lloyd Wahed, a London-born tech entrepreneur who has founded two recruiting firms, Athelstan Search and Mana Search and has successfully helped scale a number of unicorn technology companies.

Follow Mana Search on Twitter: https://twitter.com/manasearchuk​​
Follow Mana Search on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mana-talent/