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Rick Schonberg, Head of Prime at Coinbase and former executive at Goldman Sachs, State Street, LCH, and Tagomi, joins Personable to unpack how crypto becomes institutional, what trust really means in modern finance, and why careers rarely follow a straight line.

In this episode, Rick reflects on graduating into a recession with no job, being fired twice, and how serendipity shaped a career spanning traditional finance, clearing houses, and digital assets. From institutional custody and regulation to stablecoins, trust, and the future of money, this conversation cuts through crypto hype and focuses on how financial systems actually evolve.

This is an essential listen for anyone interested in finance, crypto, careers, institutional trust, and navigating long-term success in volatile industries.

He discusses:
◽️ Graduating into a tough job market and building a career without a linear plan
◽️ Why early “unimpressive” jobs can be the most valuable
◽️ From Goldman Sachs to Coinbase and what drove the transition into crypto
◽️ Institutional custody, regulation, and why trust is the real asset
◽️ Stablecoins, payments, and how crypto reshapes the financial system
◽️ Lessons from being fired, taking risks, and sustaining long-term careers

00:00 Introduction and Rick Schonberg background
02:30 Graduating into recession and early career lessons
07:45 Getting fired, serendipity, and career pivots
14:20 From traditional finance to crypto
20:45 Institutional custody and trust at Coinbase
27:10 Regulation, bad actors, and building credibility
34:50 Stablecoins and the future of payments
41:30 Careers, success, and rejecting influencer mythology
47:55 The future of finance and crypto adoption
54:10 Final advice for graduates and long-term thinking

Rick Schonberg:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickschonberg/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/
◽️ Website: https://www.personable.media/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ Fundraising: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/donate

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Footnote:
Tether, the largest stablecoin issuer, now holds over $100 billion in T-bills. According to data from the Treasury Department, it ranks as the 18th-largest overall holder of US debt, above the UAE ($85 billion).

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