Proof of Work - An interview with Leah Wald (Lucid Investments)

## Proof of Work Podcast with Leah Wald: A Summary

This episode of the Proof of Work podcast, featuring Leah Wald of Lucid Investments, blends humorous anecdotes from a recent Bitcoin conference with a deep dive into the history of her involvement in the cryptocurrency space. The conversation begins with lighthearted observations about the eccentric fashion and personalities encountered at the Vegas conference, including a memorable poker tournament elimination and the unveiling of a previously elusive attendee known only as "Ugly." The hosts and Leah reminisce about early computing experiences and even share amusing stories about language learning, highlighting the quirky and often absurd nature of the Bitcoin community.

The conversation then shifts to Leah's personal journey into Bitcoin, tracing her initial skepticism and fascination with the potential for rapid wealth creation through ICOs. She recounts how her business partner, Tyler Janks, cautioned her about the legal risks associated with these ventures, even jokingly suggesting she might end up meeting Vladimir Putin. They subsequently founded a Bitcoin investment arm within Lucid Investments, initially utilizing GBTC as an investment vehicle. Tyler’s early experiences with Mt. Gox left him with a negative view of the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. To publicly document Bitcoin price targets and create a lasting record, Tyler began a YouTube channel for Lucid Investments, which gained significant exposure after an appearance on Tone’s podcast. Despite prioritizing data dissemination over high production values, the channel receives immediate feedback from viewers on technical aspects. The episode concludes with a discussion of the host’s ongoing technical difficulties recording from a makeshift setup and a cryptic reference to a prediction from “Hyperwave” regarding a cryptocurrency price falling below a thousand.

Main Topics Discussed:

• Bitcoin Conference Experiences: Attendee fashion, poker tournament, and unique personalities like "Ugly."
• Early Computing & Language Learning: Reminiscing about computer labs and humorous language learning experiences.
• Initial Interest in Cryptocurrency: Leah's early fascination with ICOs and Tyler's warnings about legal risks.
• Lucid Investments & GBTC: The founding of the investment arm and its initial investment strategy.
• Mt. Gox & Tyler's Perspective: The negative impact of the Mt. Gox exchange on Tyler's view of the crypto space.
• Lucid Investments YouTube Channel: Its origins, growth, and focus on data dissemination.
• Technical Challenges: Recording difficulties and the constant need to upgrade equipment.
• Cryptocurrency Price Predictions: A brief mention of “Hyperwave” predicting a price “sub thousand” for an unnamed cryptocurrency.

Key Quotes:

• Leah Wald: "I was the first person out [of the poker tournament]."
• Leah Wald: "I really want to learn ceramics."
• Tyler Janks (implied through Leah): "You're going to go to jail and meet Vladimir Putin."
• Host: "You just have to keep endlessly upgrading."

People Mentioned:

• Thomas Hunt: Host of the Proof of Work podcast.
• Leah Wald: Partner at Lucid Investments.
• Tyler Janks: Partner at Lucid Investments.
• Tone: Podcast host and influencer who encouraged Leah to join Twitter.
• Ugly: Conference attendee known for his unique attire.
• Hemantone: Conference attendee.
• Peter Todd: Bitcoin developer and expert.
• Vladimir Putin: Referenced in a humorous warning about legal risks.
• Andrews Horowitz: Venture capital firm (likely mentioned in passing).

Bitcoin Prices:

• No specific Bitcoin prices were mentioned. The conversation referenced GBTC (Bitcoin Investment Trust) and a cryptic “Hyperwave” prediction of a cryptocurrency price “sub thousand.”