Archive: Weekly Update
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Don’t Be Intimidated by Crypto Communities
By Vin Narayanan on August 30, 2018
We spend a lot of time discussing the importance of community when it comes to investing in crypto. In fact, if a coin doesn’t have a strong community, we won’t invest in it. And we think you shouldn’t either. We also know that for many of you, figuring out whether a coin has a strong community seems like a daunting challenge. After all, you’re visiting parts of the internet you probably don’t spend a lot of time in and…
These New Charts Show Why You Should Add Bitcoin to Your Portfolio
By Andy Gordon on July 26, 2018
If I asked you what the best thing about bitcoin is, I’m pretty sure most of you would answer, “Its upside.” It makes perfect sense. But not everybody would agree with you. Bitcoin has another, more hidden gift. It hasn’t been explored or discussed much. And it’s just as extraordinary…
Where Cryptocurrency Prices Will Be a Year From Now
By Allison Brickell on July 19, 2018
In late June, we polled First Stage Investor members about marijuana stocks, startups and driverless cars. Here’s what we learned… This week, we’re asking what you think the value of cryptocurrencies will be in the next year… and how you celebrated (or didn’t celebrate) Amazon Prime Day.
To Understand Bitcoin’s “Intrinsic” Value, Look No Further Than Diamonds
By Vin Narayanan on July 5, 2018
Editor’s note: Vin Narayanan here, stepping in for a vacationing Andy Gordon. Over the next few weeks, you’re going to be hearing more from me as Andy and Adam Sharp take some well-deserved time off. But that doesn’t mean you have to do without them while they’re at the beach!…
Do You Trust Driverless Car Tech?
By Allison Brickell on June 28, 2018
Editor’s note: Just a heads-up – we will be recommending a startup for you to invest in this week. You’re not going to want to miss this! Until then, here’s our next poll. These polls help us learn more about you so we can provide you better information. Hopefully you…
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…
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…
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…