280: 2025 Predictions with Alejandro Gutierrez

01/05/25 • 50 min

In this special year-end episode, Pete Townsend is joined by returning guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez for a wide-ranging conversation about what the future may hold in 2025. Together, they explore transformative ideas, emerging trends, and groundbreaking technologies that could shape industries, disrupt norms, and redefine global innovation. From traditional finance’s embrace of tokenization to the rise of AI agents, the duo covers it all—including a bonus prediction from a mysterious contributor. Tune in for an exciting glimpse into 2025 and get ready to peer into the crystal ball with Pete and Alejandro.

What You’ll Learn:

Tokenization Takes Center Stage: How traditional finance is poised to fully embrace tokenization, opening up new markets and investment opportunities.
Stablecoins in E-commerce: The role of stablecoins in reshaping online payments and the potential for major adoption by e-commerce giants.
Decentralized Identity: Why verifiable credentials and self-sovereign identity could become mainstream.
Blockchain and Gaming: Predictions for how large gaming studios might integrate blockchain into their IP to empower users with ownership.
AI Meets Blockchain: The emergence of AI agents in Web3 and their potential to revolutionize decision-making and commerce.
Regulatory Milestones: The Financial Innovation and Technology (FIT21) Act and its potential to establish a clear framework for digital assets in the U.S.
Global Bitcoin Adoption: How BRICS nations and others might accelerate Bitcoin mining and adoption for financial sovereignty.
Memecoins and AI Agents: The possibility of AI agents driving the next wave of meme coin mania and their implications for the ecosystem.

Bonus Predictions: Eoin Motherway, fintech and funds industry legend, shared his take on 2025:

Proliferation of Stablecoins: Beyond USD-pegged options, expect growth in other fiat-backed stablecoins (e.g., HKD, JPY).
Tokenization of Funds: The tokenization of money market funds could gain momentum, paving the way for more accessible and efficient investments.
Digital Assets Ireland: The emergence of Ireland as a hub for digital assets under MiCAR regulations.

Resources Mentioned:

Call to Action: If this episode sparked your curiosity about 2025, we’d love to hear your predictions! Share your thoughts on X/(Twitter) at @MNSShow or email us at [email protected]. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review MoneyNeverSleeps on Apple Podcasts and Spotify—and share this episode with a friend.

Keywords: Alejandro Gutierrez, Pete Townsend, 2025 tech trends, Blockchain and AI, Crypto trends 2025, Stablecoins future, Decentralized identity solutions, Bitcoin mining expansion, Tokenization in finance, web3 trends 2025

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What You’ll Learn:

Tokenization Takes Center Stage: How traditional finance is poised to fully embrace tokenization, opening up new markets and investment opportunities.
Stablecoins in E-commerce: The role of stablecoins in reshaping online payments and the potential for major adoption by e-commerce giants.
Decentralized Identity: Why verifiable credentials and self-sovereign identity could become mainstream.
Blockchain and Gaming: Predictions for how large gaming studios might integrate blockchain into their IP to empower users with ownership.
AI Meets Blockchain: The emergence of AI agents in Web3 and their potential to revolutionize decision-making and commerce.
Regulatory Milestones: The Financial Innovation and Technology (FIT21) Act and its potential to establish a clear framework for digital assets in the U.S.
Global Bitcoin Adoption: How BRICS nations and others might accelerate Bitcoin mining and adoption for financial sovereignty.
Memecoins and AI Agents: The possibility of AI agents driving the next wave of meme coin mania and their implications for the ecosystem.

Bonus Predictions: Eoin Motherway, fintech and funds industry legend, shared his take on 2025:

Proliferation of Stablecoins: Beyond USD-pegged options, expect growth in other fiat-backed stablecoins (e.g., HKD, JPY).
Tokenization of Funds: The tokenization of money market funds could gain momentum, paving the way for more accessible and efficient investments.
Digital Assets Ireland: The emergence of Ireland as a hub for digital assets under MiCAR regulations.

Resources Mentioned:

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Follow our guest co-host Alejandro Gutierrez:

X(Twitter): https://twitter.com/A_gutierro
LinkedIn:

Previous Episode

279: Mastering the Startup Game | Nigel Eccles | Insights from a Serial Entrepreneur

This week, I interviewed serial entrepreneur Nigel Eccles. Known for his role as co-founder and former CEO of FanDuel, Nigel shares his incredible journey of launching and scaling multiple ventures, including his latest projects BetHog and BetDex. Nigel dives into the pivotal moments that defined his career, lessons learned from raising over $450 million in venture funding, and his insights into the evolving landscapes of crypto, Web3, and gaming.

Nigel’s candid reflections on timing, co-founder dynamics, and building resilient startups are a must-hear for founders, investors, and anyone curious about how to stay ahead in the world of tech and entrepreneurship.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

A speedrun through Nigel’s backstory
The early days of FanDuel and lessons from building a billion-dollar business.
Insights into raising capital—from seed rounds to $450M in funding.
Why timing and market dynamics matter more than ever.
The role of ethics and trustworthiness in choosing co-founders and investors.
Building for users: Why understanding your audience is key.
The future of online gaming, streaming, and crypto’s role in innovation.

Notable Quotes:

“If you’re a tech startup, you need a tech co-founder. It’s almost impossible to succeed without one.”
“The best hires often come from failed startups—they’ve been through the fire and still want to build.”
“The key to raising capital is timing and understanding what the market values.”

Connect with Nigel Eccles: Twitter | LinkedIn

Keywords: gaming, sports betting, FanDuel, crypto, web3, BetHog, BetDex, fundraising, venture capital

Shout-outs: Connor Murphy, Bradley Tusk, Nic Carter

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Next Episode

281: The Art of Startup Exits | Brian McDonald from Bay Advisory

Brian McDonald is a partner at Bay Advisory, a corporate finance firm helping founders navigate funding, scaling, and exiting their businesses. Brian first joined the show in 2021, and now, four years later, he returns to share updated insights on startup exits, valuations, and the evolving market landscape.

From the importance of staying true to your business identity to understanding deal structuring and negotiation tactics, Brian breaks down what founders need to know before, during, and after an exit. He also shares his thoughts on current trends, including valuation shifts, the rise of AI-driven businesses, and the significance of knowing when to walk away from a deal.

If you’re a founder planning your next fundraising round or thinking about an exit, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world examples that you won’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways

1. Stay True to Your Business Identity:

Many founders feel pressured to present their business as a SaaS or AI-driven venture to attract investors, but Brian emphasizes the importance of positioning your business based on what it truly is rather than shaping it to fit investor expectations.

2. Avoid Venture Capital If You Plan to Keep Your Business Long-Term:

If you’re building a business to own and operate for life, taking on investors expecting a return may not be the right move. Transparency about your vision is crucial in aligning with the right partners.

3. Consider Alternatives to Full Exits:

Founders don’t have to sell their entire company to achieve financial security. Partial exits or taking some cash off the table while continuing to scale can be viable options.

4. Valuation Challenges in Today’s Market:

Valuations fluctuate, and generic revenue multiples can be misleading. Founders should focus on comparable deals and be realistic about their company’s value in the current market conditions.

5. Earnouts and Deal Structuring:

Few exits involve a full cash payout at closing. Earnouts based on future performance are common, and founders should aim for turnover-based earnouts rather than EBITDA-based, as buyers can manipulate EBITDA figures..

6. Know Your ‘No’ and Be Ready to Walk Away: Understanding your bottom line in negotiations is critical. If a deal isn’t right, having the confidence to walk away can save founders from making costly mistakes.

Market Trends and Strategic Insights:

Longer Deal Timelines: Exit processes that once took six months are now stretching to 9-12 months due to market shifts.

AI Bubble: Many businesses are branding themselves as AI-driven when they’re not, which mirrors past trends seen with blockchain startups.

Corporate vs. PE Buyers: Corporates focus on strategic fit, while PE firms prioritize financials and growth potential.

Importance of Data Rooms: Keeping updated documentation can streamline fundraising or an acquisition process when the time comes.

Guest Details:

Email: [email protected]

Website: BayAdvisory.ie

LinkedIn: Brian McDonald

Listen to Brian’s first appearance on MoneyNeverSleeps in 2021 (episodes 118 and 119, Words of Advice, Parts 1 &2)

Learn more about Bay Advisory and their advisory services for founders

Brian referred to the book A Slight Edge by Jeff Olson in focusing on your niche at the earliest stages