This episode of The New Money Podcast features Peter Stilwell, the former COO of Coinbase UK. Peter unpacks Coinbase’s journey from building a startup within a startup in Europe to navigating the chaos of the FTX collapse. He recounts the early challenges of bringing compliance-first crypto infrastructure to a market lagging years behind the U.S., the behind-the-scenes tension of operating under the FCA’s scrutiny, and how Coinbase balanced rapid growth with regulatory rigor. The conversation dives into the birth of USDC, how a hobby became a billion-dollar revenue stream, and the "Amazon for stablecoins" thesis. He shares insights on leadership during crisis, building high-talent teams, and why being a “stress absorber” beats being a “stress amplifier.” A must-listen for anyone curious about the future of crypto, regulation, and what it takes to lead through the noise.
Key Chapters
02:14 Coinbase's Journey in Europe
06:10 Challenges in the European Market
09:51 Regulatory Relationships and Compliance
13:52 The Impact of FTX on the Crypto Industry
18:06 Crisis Management and Leadership
21:47 Economic Challenges and Team Motivation
23:13 Navigating Market Volatility
27:35 Building a Resilient Business Model
31:06 Talent Acquisition and Company Culture
36:14 The Evolution of Stablecoins
40:10 Quickfire Insights on Fintech and Crypto Trends
*This is NOT financial, tax, or legal advice*
Music by Marcelo Cataldo - http://www.marcelocataldo.com