How Figment’s Lorien Gabriel Staked His Claim in the Blockchain Wild West 🤠💰

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Imagine a world where Lorien Gabriel, a seasoned internet infrastructure tycoon, decided to throw his hat into the blockchain ring. 🎩✨ In 2018, he co-founded Figment, a staking behemoth that’s taken the crypto world by storm. 🌪️💰

With $15 billion in assets under management and over 500 institutional clients, Figment is the belle of the ball. 💃💰 But wait, there’s more! Lorien’s got his eyes on the prize in Asia, where he’s ready to conquer new markets with the finesse of a ninja. 🥋🚀

Now, let’s dive into the thrilling tale of how Figment became the king of staking, and Lorien’s plans for world domination… err, expansion. 🌍👑

So, Lorien, what inspired you to create Figment?

Well, after spending decades in the internet infrastructure game, Lorien and his co-founders spotted a golden opportunity in proof-of-stake networks. 🍀💰 They knew their skills in network security, cloud infrastructure, and B2B solutions would be a match made in heaven for PoS. And boy, were they right! 🙌💖

Initially, they thought about starting a fund, but then they realized, “Hey, why not build the staking infrastructure first?” And thus, Figment was born. 🎉✨ Fast forward a few years, and they’ve got a successful VC fund and a thriving staking business. Talk about a win-win! 🎉🏆

How big is Figment these days?

With $15 billion in staking assets and 500 institutional clients, Figment’s a force to be reckoned with. 🚂🔥 And with 130 employees, they’re just getting started! Lorien’s got his sights set on Asia, where he’s opening offices in Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and beyond. 🌄🚀

What challenges do you face in Asia, Lorien?

Oh, where do we begin? 🤔 Asia’s a diverse continent with different economies, regulations, and business cultures. 🌐💼 But Lorien’s a smart cookie – he knows that understanding local nuances is key to success. 🍪💡

From navigating complex regulatory landscapes to educating the masses about staking, Lorien’s got his work cut out for him. But hey, he’s up for the challenge! 🏋️‍♂️💪

What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve faced while scaling Figment?

Lorien chuckles and says, “The ‘zero to one’ phase was a doozy!” 🤣💪 Figuring out if their idea would work, what customers needed, and how their business model would evolve was no easy feat. 🤯📊

But once they found their footing in staking, they ditched their other experiments and focused on scaling their core offering. And let’s not forget about crypto’s wild rollercoaster ride – Lorien’s learned to keep his cool through the ups and downs. 🎢😎

Is Asia embracing staking with open arms?

Absolutely! Banks and telecoms are jumping on the staking bandwagon, and Lorien’s seen increased interest from Asian institutions. 🏦🚀 With big names like Monex and B Capital already on board, the future looks bright. 🌞✨

How do you decide which tokens to support for staking?

Lorien’s got a secret sauce when it comes to selecting tokens. First, they weed out the scams and assess the project’s legitimacy. Then, they evaluate the team, the ecosystem, and custody support. 🕵️‍♂️🔍

But when they have 20 promising candidates and can only support 10, they’ve gotta make some tough choices. 🤔😢 Sometimes they hit the jackpot, and sometimes they strike out. But hey, they’re learning as they go! 🎲📈

How does Figment ensure competitive returns while staying secure and reliable?

Staking might not be the highest-yield activity in crypto, but it’s the safest way to earn yield without counterparty risk. 🛡️💰 Lorien focuses on providing the best risk-adjusted staking rewards, making Figment the go-to choice for institutions looking for security and compliance. 🏦🔒

Any staking-related trends or innovations in Asia that catch your eye?

Liquid staking and re-staking are all the rage, thanks to global leaders like EigenLayer. 🌊🔄 And don’t forget about Bitcoin staking – projects like Babylon are exploring its potential, and new chains with Asian influence, like BeraChain, are gaining traction. 🌟🚀

So, there you have it – the story of how Lorien Gabriel and Figment conquered the staking frontier. 🏆🚀 Will they continue to dominate the crypto landscape? Only time will tell! ⏰🔮

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2025-01-28 21:50