Decentralized Finance (DeFi) Show with Murad Mahmudov
Hello everyone, welcome to today’s episode! If you’re tuning in, please let me know in the comments if the audio is clear. We’re currently waiting for Murad Mahmudov to join us in about three minutes. I haven’t done one of these in a while, so please bear with me as I check for any technical issues.
Background of the Show:
While we’re waiting, let me give a bit of history about the podcast. This show started in 2020 as a project where I interviewed various people about the Decred project. Eventually, I became a contractor for Decred and started hosting Decred in Depth. Life got busy with school and other commitments, so I paused the podcast, but I’m excited to be back. Murad has kindly agreed to be my first guest for this re-launch.
Introducing Murad Mahmudov:
Murad is someone incredibly special to me. We met back in 2012, and he was actually the first person to introduce me to Bitcoin. Initially, I thought his ideas were crazy, but by 2016, as the crypto wave took off, I reached out to him with questions. Over the past few years, he’s become a mentor and a friend, and I’ve come to rely on him for his insights and wisdom in the crypto space.
Interview with Murad Mahmudov (@MustStopMurad)
Murad Joins the Show:
Murad has just joined us. Murad, thank you so much for coming on the show and being willing to share your insights. Most people here already know who you are, but I hope this conversation dives into areas people might not often hear you discuss.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint:
Murad shares that he sees the crypto world as a “marathon, not a sprint.” He emphasizes the importance of patience, stoicism, and humility, particularly as he believes the current crypto and meme coin mania will continue for another 7-14 months. This perspective has shaped his approach, encouraging him to pace himself and those around him.
Philosophy on Health and Personal Development:
I asked Murad about his views on physical and mental health, which he considers crucial for entrepreneurial success. While he admits he doesn’t always follow his ideals, Murad emphasizes:
- Sleep: The importance of quality, deep sleep as a foundation.
- Hydration: Drinking enough water daily.
- Diet: Murad follows a carnivore-keto diet, as he believes a low-carb, high-fat approach is closer to what humans historically consumed.
- Fasting: He typically eats once a day, aligning with intermittent fasting practices.
Reading, Twitter, and Consuming Quality Content:
Murad dives into his content consumption habits, focusing on:
- Reading and Research: Gathering information from multiple perspectives to stay current in the fast-evolving crypto industry.
- Twitter: Murad believes Twitter is essential for crypto professionals, as it serves as the main platform for real-time information and high-level discussions.
- Books: While he values classic literature, he feels recent books struggle to keep up with the fast-paced changes in the world.
Daily Habits and Mental Practices:
Murad mentions that his daily routine includes regular walks and meditation, which help clear his mind and often spark fresh ideas. He also dedicates significant time to reading and discussing trends in the crypto space.
Perspectives on Late-Stage Capitalism and Crypto Markets:
On his Twitter, Murad’s location is labeled “late-stage capitalism,” reflecting his view of the current economic environment. He believes Bitcoin will eventually serve as the global monetary reserve within 20-30 years. However, he anticipates that the journey to this future will be chaotic, marked by inflationary pressures, speculative bubbles, and a significant rise in meme coins before stability is achieved.
Why the Current Investment Landscape is Shifting:
Murad shares his view that the investment landscape is currently more akin to a game of poker than chess, requiring a focus on strategy over quick, tactical moves. He explains that finance and social media are becoming more interconnected, and in the context of meme coins, building and maintaining community attention is crucial.
Personal Development, Meditation, and Content Sources:
Murad recommends The Right Concentration for those new to meditation. He doesn’t rely on mainstream media, instead preferring to engage with contrarian thinkers on platforms like Twitter.
Future of Meme Coins and Tokenized Communities:
Murad explains that meme coins, which he calls “tokenized communities,” offer value through community and attention rather than technical innovation. He believes that these coins are an evolution in finance, harnessing collective sentiment and cultural trends to drive their value.
The Next Steps in Meme Coin Cycles:
Drawing on years of observation, Murad identifies six key signals that convinced him of the coming meme coin cycle. He believes meme coins are a natural progression in the crypto space, which is increasingly focused on community and shared values over technological differentiation.
NFTs, Real-World Assets, and the Future of Crypto Markets:
When asked about NFTs and real-world assets, Murad notes that he sees potential in the tokenization of culture, ideas, and communities. However, he remains cautious about speculative NFT investments in areas like music and in-game items.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts:
Murad leaves the audience with a powerful takeaway: focus on Twitter as a tool for staying ahead in the crypto world. He believes that the future of finance lies in attention, community, and tokenized communities rather than traditional revenue models, particularly in an inflationary environment.
Thank you, Murad, for joining us and sharing your thoughts on the present and future of crypto and DeFi. This conversation offered invaluable insights, especially for anyone navigating the complex and fast-changing landscape of cryptocurrency.
