Art of Crypto Research with Galaxy Digital

On Monday, November 1st, the NEU Blockchain Organization hosted Alex Thorn, Karim Hemly, and Olivia Gardlin. We discussed everything from talking about the future of cryptocurrencies and how Galaxy Digital is measuring volatility. Find the recording below.
Important Links:
Get in touch with Northeastern Blockchain: neublockchaingroup@gmail.com
For career opportunities and internships email Olivia: Olivia.gardlin@galaxydigital.io & https://www.galaxydigital.io/careers/
Company research team: https://www.galaxydigital.io/our-research/

Recording:

Event Recap

Alex: Head of research, based in New York
Spent 12 years at fidelity — tech background
Joined galaxy to produce research content (internal + external)
Teams in galaxy digital: M&A, investment, bitcoin mining, advising, asset management. - Acquired BitGo, second-largest asset under custody
Olivia: Lead talent acquisition
Karim: Research team

Research reports that are up to date with constant shifts in the market
1. Winner + losers in the market, outlook, rapid response to market changes
2. Find insights for galaxy
3. How to position business →regulation, the outlook for public blockchains
4. Constantly revisit company objectives

What model do you use to analyze markets
1. Relationship of bitcoin and eth in relation to the market
2. Eventually, BTC and ETH communities will branch out
3. Redefining your scope when you do research — need a thesis

Starting out in crypto research
1. Can perform DCF on protocol revenues
2. Take into account network effect — meme coins have no utility but are still widely adopted
3. Have an open mind compared to views in a traditional approach in financial services
4. Remember the crypto world is community-based

Valuing NFT’s:
1. NFT space is a community status symbol
2. But there are also genuine NFT artwork
3. Longer term use cases: real-life application of nonfungible things (ex. real estate, contracts, relationships)

Trends in the future of crypto:
1. Karim: Bitcoin might become the next digital currency
2. Long-term use cases
3. 100x in the next 10 years
4. Alex: 10x or 20x in 5–10 years, only 0.1% adoption currently

Advice for students getting into the space:
1. Start trading early on the exchange and getting practical experience
2. The market is very young, your credentials doesn’t define your experience in the market since it’s new

Hiring for the future:
1. Talent doubled since March
2. Always looking for interns

Written by Bennett Thompson and Alyson Liu