E897: Obvious Ventures James Joaquin: brings operator expertise to fund #worldpositive startups

Cautious Approach

James Joaquin and Jason Calacanis express caution towards investing in cryptocurrencies, highlighting the lack of breakthrough customer solutions and governance issues. James notes that while blockchain and cryptocurrencies are promising technologies, they have not yet demonstrated practical applications beyond speculation and money transfer 1. He emphasizes the importance of governance, pointing out that many crypto ventures lack accountability and transparency, which are crucial for responsible investment 2.

The other missing piece for us at Obvious was around governance.

--- James Joaquin

Jason echoes these concerns, stressing the need for a responsible approach to investing in emerging technologies.

   

Potential & Challenges

The potential of blockchain and cryptocurrencies is a topic of interest, yet James and Jason remain skeptical about their current applications. They discuss the concept of decentralized platforms, such as a distributed YouTube, and the challenges they pose, including content moderation and accountability 3. James argues that while decentralization offers intriguing possibilities, it is not inherently beneficial and must be evaluated for its impact on consumers.

Centralization is not always bad, and decentralization is not always good.

--- James Joaquin

Jason highlights the potential of smart contracts in revolutionizing industries like art and music, suggesting that these technologies could streamline processes and ensure fair compensation for creators 4.