I had to earn every single user and every single dollar that came in, which taught us to be extremely efficient and scrappy with our incubation capital.

During the 2019 period, we learned that capital might be very hard to come by for an extended duration, which shaped our conservative mindset during optimistic times and our optimism during fearful times.

Focusing on the long term and planning for the future helped us ignore present conditions, allowing us to cherish the moment despite challenges.

Injective is a blockchain built for finance, designed to democratize financial access for all, currently delivering over $50 billion in exchange volume.

To acquire our first 100 users, I reached out to every crypto-related group chat, engaging with participants to gather feedback on our interactive exchange.

Dealing with vocal critics in public forums can be stressful, but overcoming that initial embarrassment can turn them into valuable allies who provide critical feedback. I iterate the product based on user feedback, addressing every concern and opinion, because as a builder, you can't know the right answer with 100% precision. A happy user becomes the most valuable ally in any industry.

During the crypto winter, we witnessed Bitcoin drop below $6,000, leading to a loss of VC and institutional interest. We had to learn to be extremely efficient and scrappy with our limited incubation capital.

Our experience taught us to be conservative during optimistic times and optimistic during fearful times, ensuring we always had enough runway to survive for more than five years.

The most exciting aspect of Injective is decentralizing access to finance, allowing anyone with just $1 to access the same opportunities as those with millions. Finance shouldn't just be a game for the rich.

Currently, the financial world is layered with investment advisors and brokers, making it difficult for individuals to access opportunities. We aim to tokenize real-world assets and make financial products more accessible globally.

I believe that while there won't be a drastic change in people's lives, the subtle improvements—like having more savings or connecting with friends across the globe—will make everyone a little better off.

I started Injective in a modest co-working space, which felt like a rare moment of clarity amidst grandiose visions. I cherish that feeling because such moments are rare and powerful.