In today’s episode, we sit down with Peter Smith, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Blockchain.com, one of the world’s largest and most trusted cryptocurrency platforms. As a pioneer in the crypto space, Peter has seen firsthand how blockchain technology has transformed finance and reshaped how we think about money, security, and freedom.

In this in-depth conversation, we explore Peter’s unique perspective on the future of cryptocurrency and what’s coming next as the industry matures. Peter shares insights on how he scaled Blockchain.com into a billion-dollar platform, the biggest challenges facing crypto today, and how the global financial landscape is on the brink of revolutionary change. We also delve into Peter’s take on regulation, decentralization, and the massive potential of Web3.

If you’re interested in understanding the future of money, investing in blockchain, or learning how the crypto industry will impact everything from banking to everyday life, you won’t want to miss this episode. Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of crypto’s top leaders on how to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead!

Peter Smith is co-founder and CEO of Blockchain.com — a Bitcoin block explorer service and cryptocurrency wallet provider. Peter Smith was born and raised in England and, before founding Blockchain, had been living, studying and working in the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe. Peter Smith’s Bitcoin involvement started with co-founding the startup Blockchain with Nicolas Cary in 2011. Under the leadership of Peter Smith, the Blockchain company has become a leader in the cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology market. For some time, he was an active investor in the crypto industry. Peter has been featured in popular magazines, and he is frequently invited as an expert and speaker at various related conferences.

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Darren Prince, renowned sports and celebrity agent, and a global advocate for addiction recovery, who shares a raw and inspiring story of resilience.

Darren built a successful career representing some of the world’s most iconic figures, like Magic Johnson, Muhammed Ali, Hulk Hogan, and Dennis Rodman. But despite working at the top of his industry, he struggled with a profound sense of emptiness, constantly seeking approval and battling imposter syndrome.

Together, Darren and Chris open up about their vulnerable journeys, sharing personal stories from their childhoods, their battles with addiction, and how they each turned to drugs to cope with insecurities and feelings of inadequacy.

Darren reveals the pressures and challenges of working in a world of fame, where self-worth often depends on external validation. He talks about his journey to recovery, finding self-love, and the turning points that led him to true fulfillment beyond professional success.

Through candid moments and personal insights, this episode sheds light on the power of vulnerability, the importance of self-acceptance, and the strength it takes to overcome deep-seated fears. Join us for a conversation that’s as inspiring as it is real, offering valuable life lessons for anyone who’s struggled with self-worth, approval, or addiction.

In this episode of World Class with Chris Vasquez, we dive into the mind of one of Silicon Valley’s most influential entrepreneurs and investors, Keith Rabois. Keith, a founding member of PayPal and an early investor in companies like LinkedIn, Square, and Yelp, shares his profound insights on scaling world-class companies, leadership, and what it takes to succeed in the fast-paced world of startups.

Throughout this conversation, Keith opens up about his decision-making frameworks, operating fast-growing startups, and hiring the right executives. He discusses why talented salespeople sometimes flop as VPs, the importance of knowing when to delegate versus doing things yourself, and how to manage time effectively as a leader. Keith also reveals his personal motivation, including how proving people wrong has fueled his incredible drive.

In a deep dive into current events, Keith shares his thoughts on the Kamala vs. Trump dilemma and explains why he believes the upcoming election could result in a massive win for Trump—providing a candid perspective on the political landscape and what’s at stake for the country’s future.

Chapters:

1:25 Founder Mode Explained

4:06 Why Sometimes Talented Salespeople Flop as VPs

4:57 Delegate vs Doing Yourself

9:00 Scaling Fast-Growing Startups

14:42 Key Executive Hires

16:20 Hiring Mistakes

17:25 Time Management Hacks

31:03 The Kamala vs Trump Dilemma

47:54 World Class Life

Key topics in this episode include:

• Founder Mode Explained: Keith’s approach to leadership and thriving in a startup environment

• Why Talented Salespeople Flop as VPs: The mismatch of skills at the executive level

• Delegate vs Doing: When to delegate and when to take charge yourself

• Scaling Fast-Growing Startups: Strategies for rapid growth in the tech industry

• Decision Frameworks & SOPs: Keith’s structured approach to running a business

• Investment Decision-Making Model: Keith’s method for evaluating high-potential investments • Key Executive Hires & Hiring Mistakes: How to build an effective executive team and common pitfalls to avoid

• Motivation & Success: Keith’s insights on what drives him, and using negativity as fuel for growth

• Time Management Hacks: How to manage your time as a startup leader

• The Kamala vs Trump Dilemma: Keith’s perspective on the 2024 election and why he thinks Trump will come out on top

• The World Class Life: Insights into what it takes to live at the highest level of success

• Growth Philosophy: Keith’s personal approach to growing businesses and people