Three Tips On How To Make The Most Of The Downtime

Enduring a bear market is hard work. Downward moves are no excuse for leaving the ball, and here’s what you can do to prepare for the bulls’ inevitable return.

Writing about what to do when the inevitable crypto winter hits, I had no idea the Bitcoin meltdown was so imminent. I had even less idea that this would be accompanied by a lively bear market, which drove yield expectations deep into the red across the board.

If shorting and defensive hedging aren’t your thing, bear markets offer little to do other than wait for headwinds to ease. This, in turn, leaves many anxious hands burned from playing capricious instruments like VIX (don’t we all…) or too idle for their owner’s comfort.

If you’re tired of squatting, I’ve got good news: there’s never been a better time to dive deep into fintech and learn about the hottest industry trends like data (de)commodification, radical automation, and independent consulting services.

Here’s my free curriculum for anyone interested in making the most of downtime.

Class 1: Blink and you’ll miss it – the rise of independent advice and radical automation

As the fintech industry matures, we see more and more sophisticated products and platforms coming to market.

While machine learning and AI are by no means new in portfolio management, truly scalable portfolio personalization and intelligent AI concierge platforms are curate instead of simply index are few and far between.

However, the field is developing quickly and now it’s time to catch the train before it leaves the station.

If you’re looking for a starting point, you can check out Vise, which has been around since 2016 and offers automated investment customization management for financial advisors. Brooklyn Investment Group is a newer entrant, but its bespoke AI platform is already making waves.

So is Q.ai, an AI-powered investing app that also gives you her thoughts on Forbes.

After you’re done with the demos, it’s time to start your first homework of the day and see how the sausage is really made.

If you’re up for the challenge, Udemy offers courses like the AI ​​Stock Trading System course and Automated AI Investing with Robo Advisors course that will get you up and running in a matter of days and end up being downright dangerous with the underlying technology become the course.

Code at your own risk – you might end up liking it.

Class 2: Refresh industry trends: DeFi and ESG investing

By now you should be familiar with DeFi and what all these altcoins, monkey-faced NFTs and smart contracts are about. If not, I strongly recommend e.g. Take MIT’s Ex-Ed Economics of Blockchain and Digital Assets course, which begins in October.

Another notable trend of our time is the recently re-ignited intellectual feud between profit and the planet, formerly fought by Friedman and Freeman.

As of today, the opposing corners are now represented by Larry Fink and Vivek Ramaswamy and the fight looks entertaining.

Your required reading includes Larry Fink’s 2022 Letter to CEOs, Woke Inc, as well as the age-old debate between Friedman and Freeman at the Institute for Corporate Ethics’ Business Roundtable. Enjoy!

Class 3: Next big bet: (de)commodification of data

A few years ago, all lawyers and their uncles were concerned with data protection, and with good reason. The legal side of the industry has matured to the point where even the certification bodies and auditors are fed up, but on the financial side things remain in an exciting flux.

The broad industry trend here is the (de)commodification of data, and what you should really keep an eye on is end-user empowerment and access to retail data markets.

As the general mood for data protection intensified, the template for Facebook and Co. is as good as over. that have successfully hoarded end-user data without offering user-centric methods of control and commercialization.

Given the salivating size of the markets involved, you can bet that countless high school dropouts are programming in hopes of becoming the go-to place for end-users to commercialize their data.

For additional points, find out about the latest developments in data protection and fintech, and consider what solutions lie just behind the adjacent opportunities. A+ for anyone creating a MeetUp group to strategize and share ideas.

Let me know as soon as your seed round starts so we can all ride along and whatever reminders you don’t just stand on the sidelines.