Micky Malka - Building Ribbit

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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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

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