Let's jump right in! You've been in the game for a while, Ajeet. How did you find yourself navigating the wild world of Web3?
Well, you could say I'm an early adopter at heart. Back in my 20s, it wasn't called Web3 then, but new tech and finance always intrigued me. It's like finding hidden gems before the crowds arrive, just like with early mobile phones or social media. Web3, with its decentralization and focus on privacy, took things to a whole new level. I saw it as a paradigm shift, offering unprecedented control and transparency to users unlike anything seen before.
So, your past experiences prepared you for this new frontier?
Absolutely! I wasn't afraid to delve into unconventional investments like comics and wines. It's not just about the money, but about seeing potential before it takes off. In crypto, Bitcoin was my first step, but Web3 was truly revolutionary. Imagine everyone being their own bank, no permission needed – that's the power of this technology. And hey, those comics I bought in 1993? They've gone up 120 times in value! Being an early bird has its perks.
Tell us about your Web3 journey. Any exciting stories?
Scaling ZebPay, India's OG crypto exchange, from local hero to a global force across 132 countries was thrilling! But it wasn't a cakewalk. When the government threw a curveball with banking restrictions, we fought back – even winning a Supreme Court showdown! Things shifted, and ZPay eventually closed shop in India, but that just opened doors to advise groundbreaking startups like Matic (now Polygon).
So, your experience with industry giants like Zebpay and Matic – what wisdom can you share?
My journey kicked off at ZPay, a crypto powerhouse back then. I played a key role in taking them global, spanning 132 countries. But navigating the regulatory rollercoaster - like the Reserve Bank of India's sudden banking freeze on crypto in 2018 - was a real challenge. Even with successful legal strategies and a Supreme Court victory, ZPay couldn't stay afloat in India. It showed me just how dynamic the Web3 regulatory landscape can be. After that chapter, I moved on to advising exciting startups like Matic, which solidified my understanding of the hurdles traditional businesses face entering the Web3 frontier.
And now you're an Interlock advisor. What drew you in?
Interlock's core value proposition truly resonates with me: bridging the security gap in Web3 by actively engaging everyday internet users. Their crowd-sourced security approach with $ILOCK reshapes the security paradigm with Web3, perfectly aligning with my vision of a user-centric approach.
Sounds like you're truly passionate about Interlock's potential. Why is this the project for you?
It's the perfect blend of innovation and practicality. They're tackling a real problem – online scams and dangerous websites – with a solution that benefits everyone. Plus, their focus on enterprise adoption brings real revenue to the table, making it a sustainable business in the often-fickle Web3 world. That's a winning combination in my book!
How can people connect with you?
Add me on Twitter, @ajeetk. I look forward to connecting with the Interlock community!
