Archive: First Stage Investor
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Peer-to-Peer Lessons to Learn From
By Vin Narayanan on June 21, 2018
In a previous life, I worked in the business side of the casino industry. Some considered me an expert. I wrote about it. I edited books and magazines about it. I advised regulators. I helped run online casino companies (in Asia and Europe, where it was legal) and consulted. This was all before I got into bitcoin (some of my friends are still thanking me for that). So why am I bringing all of this up? Because I worked in…
You Like Robots, but What About Dinosaur Bones?
By Vin Narayanan on June 14, 2018
In our last poll, we found out you like robots and holding bitcoin. In this week’s poll, tell us your thoughts on dinosaurs and when to buy bitcoin.
SEC Chief: Bitcoin Not a Security
By Adam Sharp on June 7, 2018
For years, we’ve been thinking about how (and if) the Securities and Exchange Commission would regulate bitcoin. Yesterday, we almost got our answer when SEC Chairman Jay Clayton drew a line in the sand between bitcoin and initial coin offerings (ICOs). And it was mostly good news. “Cryptocurrencies – these…
EOS Launch Is in “Chaos Mode”
By Andy Gordon on June 7, 2018
If you haven’t heard of the altcoin – and blockchain – EOS, it’s about time we caught you up. EOS is different… in almost every way imaginable. It claims to have game-changing technology. That may be the only thing it has in common with other blockchains. EOS says its technology…
Portfolio Update: 20/20 GeneSystems Rakes in Awards, Makes Key Taiwan Deal
By Andy Gordon on May 31, 2018
We recommended 20/20 GeneSystems to you exactly two weeks before Christmas last year. I considered it my special holiday gift to you, calling it “the best thing to happen to the cancer treatment space in years.” As a quick reminder, let me tell you why. Most cancers don’t have screening…
DOJ Launches Bitcoin Probe
By Vin Narayanan on May 24, 2018
The Department of Justice has launched a probe into bitcoin price manipulation, according to a Bloomberg report today. The report, which cites four anonymous sources, says the DOJ – with the cooperation of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) – is looking at whether spoofing has…
Facebook and Bitcoin Poll Generates Interesting Results
By Allison Brickell on May 24, 2018
Two weeks ago, we sent you a tech news poll created by Arbit, one of our portfolio recommendations. The response rate was fantastic – which tells us you’re paying attention. (That’s a relief.) We learned that 68% of you care about how Facebook uses the data it…
New Coinbase Custody Solution Targets Institutional Investors
By Vin Narayanan on May 17, 2018
At some point, every “disruptive” technology or business becomes the “establishment.” That’s the way of the world. Southwest Airlines used to be a plucky upstart budget airline. Now it’s a major airline in the same league as Delta, United and American. Amazon changed the face of retail with e-commerce.
Bitcoin or Gold? Take the Arbit Poll
By Allison Brickell on May 10, 2018
Dear First Stage Investor, Chipotle or Qdoba? Celtics or 76ers? Bitcoin or gold? Simple polls with simple questions are a popular form of discussion on the internet (just visit Buzzfeed). In the age of social media, a company that can capitalize on that engagement – and the data it provides…
Airdrop Recommendation: Bread (BRD)
By Adam Sharp on April 27, 2018
Editor’s Note: This is my first airdrop recommendation. As a reminder, an airdrop is a tool utilized by cryptocurrency projects to increase awareness and use. To clarify, I am recommending that you take advantage of the free airdrop (instructions below). I’m not recommending that you buy the token. Anyone can…
Millennials, Smart Sensors and Bitcoin IRAs
By Andy Gordon on April 26, 2018
What’s new this week in the tech and crypto worlds? Let’s take a look. “This is a major change from a year ago.” In a recent cryptocurrency survey, Thomson Reuters found that about 20% of its clients were “really interested and actively exploring” launching cryptocurrency trading operations in 2018.
BrewDog Sees Massive Growth
By Allison Brickell on April 19, 2018
When we first recommended BrewDog, an independent craft brewery, in fall 2016, we thought it was the perfect example of the investor-fan model – a positive cycle in which fans of a brand become investors and investors become fans. Shareholders – known as “punks” in the company’s Equity for…
[BREAKING] Bittrex Just Reopened
By Adam Sharp on April 13, 2018
After a four-month pause, Bittrex has reopened to new users. This means that anyone who was unable to register for an account since December now has the opportunity to do so. Remember, Bittrex is one of my two primary recommended exchanges for altcoin purchases.
Last Chance: Invest in This Real Estate Innovator by April 16
By Allison Brickell on April 12, 2018
Dear First Stage Investor, What if you could get matched with a real estate agent based on a proprietary algorithm and speak with that agent within one minute of being matched? Or access a “seller dashboard” that lets you track online visits and impressions of your home listing in real…
A 10-Point System for Grading Startups
By Allison Brickell on April 5, 2018
A few weeks ago, Andy and I were discussing the First Stage Investor portfolio. I was intrigued by the different valuations across our holdings. But Andy told me valuation is just one part of the picture. To show me, he put together a list of 10 key traits to look…
New Recommendation: Everytable
By Andy Gordon on March 28, 2018
Security type: Crowd Safe Round size: Up to $1.07 million Valuation: $30 million Minimum investment: $25 Deadline: April 1 Investment portal: Republic Discount: 10% Note on Crowd Safe: When you invest with a Crowd Safe, you become an investor but not an actual shareholder…