This post originally appeared on Medium.
After 5 years, I’m leaving Coinbase at the end of the month. I’m planning to take some time to figure out what’s next, but I remain as optimistic as ever about the potential of cryptocurrency and Coinbase.
An increasing number of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs are quietly building the infrastructure necessary for a more open, permissionless and decentralized version of the Internet and the global financial system. Coinbase remains a key part of this story by providing the trusted and easy-to-use bridge between traditional finance and cryptocurrency.
I joined Coinbase when it was 20 people; it is now over 700 people. I’ve also had the privilege to work across almost every aspect of the Coinbase business—our banking partnerships, international, and time with both our consumer and institutional businesses. Through this, I’ve come to appreciate the value in working at a mission-driven company that’s willing to focus on a long-term strategy. Staying true to a mission often requires doing hard (or even unpopular) things. But I’ve been lucky to learn first-hand that it’s those hard things that often generate the most value.
I want to thank Brian and Fred for taking a bet on me. I also want to thank all of my Coinbase colleagues for everything they’ve taught me over the years. I hope I’m lucky enough to work with as intellectually honest, pragmatic, and kind group of people again.
First published on April 12, 2019
