Ventures & Visionaries Podcast with Mordy Hackel

In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Michael Moro, Chief Strategy Officer at INX, to explore how blockchain and tokenization are reshaping the financial world. Michael shares his journey from Wall Street to leading crypto ventures, the wild early days of Bitcoin, and why tokenized stocks, bonds, and real estate could redefine global markets. We discuss the convergence of AI and blockchain, regulatory challenges, and the leadership lessons he’s learned building teams in a disruptive industry. If you’re curious about where finance is heading and what it takes to thrive in it, this episode is a must-listen.
 
Guest Introduction:
Michael Moro is the Chief Strategy Officer at INX and a longtime leader in blockchain and digital asset innovation. He began his career in investment banking before moving into startups, where he helped pioneer institutional Bitcoin trading. As former CEO of Genesis and now at INX, Michael has been at the forefront of tokenization, market infrastructure, and the intersection of AI and blockchain. His perspective bridges Wall Street and Web3, making him one of the most respected voices in digital finance.
 
Key Takeaways:
The early Bitcoin days were the “Wild West,” filled with skepticism, risk, and suitcase-cash buyers.
Tokenization is transforming traditional assets—stocks, bonds, real estate—into more efficient, digital forms.
AI and blockchain together are disrupting middlemen in finance, law, and capital markets.
Custody and investor education remain key hurdles for mainstream crypto adoption.
Regulatory clarity between the SEC and CFTC is critical for scaling tokenized securities.
Leadership lesson: the most important role of a founder or CEO is choosing the right people early on.
 
Chapter Markers:
 0:00 Intro and welcome
1:00 Guest introduction – Michael Moro’s career path from Wall Street to blockchain
3:00 Discovering Bitcoin and launching the first institutional trading desk
6:00 Early challenges, cypherpunks, and suitcase cash stories
10:00 Mt. Gox collapse and Bitcoin’s resilience
12:00 Ethereum, ICO boom, and the 2017 inflection point
15:00 Tokenization explained: stocks, bonds, and real estate on chain
18:00 Smart contracts, AI, and disruption of financial middlemen
22:00 Digital wallets, mainstream adoption, and the next decade
26:00 Investor risks, custody, and education in crypto
30:00 Regulatory clarity and the future of SEC vs. CFTC oversight
38:00 Leadership lessons and advice for new entrepreneurs
41:00 Closing thoughts
 
Keywords:
Ventures and Visionaries, Morty Hackel, Michael Moro, INX, blockchain, tokenization, Bitcoin, Ethereum, digital assets, AI and blockchain, tokenized securities, financial disruption, cryptocurrency regulation, Web3 leadership

In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Michael Moro, Chief Strategy Officer at INX, to explore how blockchain and tokenization are reshaping the financial world. Michael shares his journey from Wall Street to leading crypto ventures, the wild early days of Bitcoin, and why tokenized stocks, bonds, and real estate could redefine global markets. We discuss the convergence of AI and blockchain, regulatory challenges, and the leadership lessons he’s learned building teams in a disruptive industry. If you’re curious about where finance is heading and what it takes to thrive in it, this episode is a must-listen.
 
Guest Introduction:
Michael Moro is the Chief Strategy Officer at INX and a longtime leader in blockchain and digital asset innovation. He began his career in investment banking before moving into startups, where he helped pioneer institutional Bitcoin trading. As former CEO of Genesis and now at INX, Michael has been at the forefront of tokenization, market infrastructure, and the intersection of AI and blockchain. His perspective bridges Wall Street and Web3, making him one of the most respected voices in digital finance.
 
Key Takeaways:
The early Bitcoin days were the “Wild West,” filled with skepticism, risk, and suitcase-cash buyers.
Tokenization is transforming traditional assets—stocks, bonds, real estate—into more efficient, digital forms.
AI and blockchain together are disrupting middlemen in finance, law, and capital markets.
Custody and investor education remain key hurdles for mainstream crypto adoption.
Regulatory clarity between the SEC and CFTC is critical for scaling tokenized securities.
Leadership lesson: the most important role of a founder or CEO is choosing the right people early on.
 
Chapter Markers:
 0:00 Intro and welcome
1:00 Guest introduction – Michael Moro’s career path from Wall Street to blockchain
3:00 Discovering Bitcoin and launching the first institutional trading desk
6:00 Early challenges, cypherpunks, and suitcase cash stories
10:00 Mt. Gox collapse and Bitcoin’s resilience
12:00 Ethereum, ICO boom, and the 2017 inflection point
15:00 Tokenization explained: stocks, bonds, and real estate on chain
18:00 Smart contracts, AI, and disruption of financial middlemen
22:00 Digital wallets, mainstream adoption, and the next decade
26:00 Investor risks, custody, and education in crypto
30:00 Regulatory clarity and the future of SEC vs. CFTC oversight
38:00 Leadership lessons and advice for new entrepreneurs
41:00 Closing thoughts
 
Keywords:
Ventures and Visionaries, Morty Hackel, Michael Moro, INX, blockchain, tokenization, Bitcoin, Ethereum, digital assets, AI and blockchain, tokenized securities, financial disruption, cryptocurrency regulation, Web3 leadership

In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Bob Gault to talk about what it really takes to reinvent a company, align a leadership team, and drive revenue growth in both large enterprises and small, fast-growing businesses. Bob shares his journey from 17 years at Cisco to leading as a CRO, navigating cultural dysfunction, reshaping company identity, and scaling through acquisitions. We dive into the role of leadership, the importance of authenticity, and why consistent activity always beats one-off big wins. If you’re an entrepreneur or executive looking to build a revenue engine that performs, this episode is for you.
 
Guest Introduction:
Bob Gault is a seasoned executive with deep experience in revenue generation, leadership, and cultural transformation. After nearly two decades at Cisco, where he rose to global VP roles, Bob stepped into CRO positions at other technology companies, guiding them through reinvention, acquisitions, and growth challenges. His insights on leadership alignment, building trust, and scaling revenue make him an invaluable guest for today’s conversation.
 
Key Takeaways:
Reinventing a company starts with clarifying identity and aligning leadership on a single message.
Consistent activity outperforms occasional big wins—revenue success is about sustained effort.
Trusting your team is essential; leaders don’t need all the answers, they need the right people.
Curiosity, boldness, and emotional intelligence matter as much as technical skills when hiring.
Scaling from $5M to $200M requires pivoting into new markets and building new revenue channels.
AI won’t replace sales but can boost productivity by cleaning CRMs, drafting follow-ups, and freeing time for customer engagement.
 
Chapter Markers:
 0:00 Intro
1:00 Guest Introduction – Bob Gault’s career journey from Cisco to CRO
3:00 Transitioning from Cisco to Extreme Networks
5:00 Reinventing company identity and culture
7:30 Cutting costs and aligning leadership around a unified strategy
10:00 Overcoming imposter syndrome and defining true strengths
14:00 Building trust by elevating leaders during acquisitions
16:00 What to look for when hiring—curiosity, EQ, and authenticity
18:30 Big companies vs. entrepreneurial organizations
22:00 The importance of consistent activity and the “Moneyball” approach
25:00 Scaling strategies for $5M to $200M companies
28:00 Marketing’s role in demand generation and events
31:00 The future of AI in revenue generation
33:00 Leadership lessons: trust, delegation, and team cohesion
36:00 Closing thoughts
 
Keywords:
Ventures and Visionaries, Morty Hackel, Bob Gault, revenue growth, CRO leadership, company reinvention, scaling businesses, sales strategy, company culture, consistency in sales, acquisitions, entrepreneurship, AI in sales, marketing strategy

In this episode of Ventures and Visionaries, I sit down with Bob Gault to talk about what it really takes to reinvent a company, align a leadership team, and drive revenue growth in both large enterprises and small, fast-growing businesses. Bob shares his journey from 17 years at Cisco to leading as a CRO, navigating cultural dysfunction, reshaping company identity, and scaling through acquisitions. We dive into the role of leadership, the importance of authenticity, and why consistent activity always beats one-off big wins. If you’re an entrepreneur or executive looking to build a revenue engine that performs, this episode is for you.
 
Guest Introduction:
Bob Gault is a seasoned executive with deep experience in revenue generation, leadership, and cultural transformation. After nearly two decades at Cisco, where he rose to global VP roles, Bob stepped into CRO positions at other technology companies, guiding them through reinvention, acquisitions, and growth challenges. His insights on leadership alignment, building trust, and scaling revenue make him an invaluable guest for today’s conversation.
 
Key Takeaways:
Reinventing a company starts with clarifying identity and aligning leadership on a single message.
Consistent activity outperforms occasional big wins—revenue success is about sustained effort.
Trusting your team is essential; leaders don’t need all the answers, they need the right people.
Curiosity, boldness, and emotional intelligence matter as much as technical skills when hiring.
Scaling from $5M to $200M requires pivoting into new markets and building new revenue channels.
AI won’t replace sales but can boost productivity by cleaning CRMs, drafting follow-ups, and freeing time for customer engagement.
 
Chapter Markers:
 0:00 Intro
1:00 Guest Introduction – Bob Gault’s career journey from Cisco to CRO
3:00 Transitioning from Cisco to Extreme Networks
5:00 Reinventing company identity and culture
7:30 Cutting costs and aligning leadership around a unified strategy
10:00 Overcoming imposter syndrome and defining true strengths
14:00 Building trust by elevating leaders during acquisitions
16:00 What to look for when hiring—curiosity, EQ, and authenticity
18:30 Big companies vs. entrepreneurial organizations
22:00 The importance of consistent activity and the “Moneyball” approach
25:00 Scaling strategies for $5M to $200M companies
28:00 Marketing’s role in demand generation and events
31:00 The future of AI in revenue generation
33:00 Leadership lessons: trust, delegation, and team cohesion
36:00 Closing thoughts
 
Keywords:
Ventures and Visionaries, Morty Hackel, Bob Gault, revenue growth, CRO leadership, company reinvention, scaling businesses, sales strategy, company culture, consistency in sales, acquisitions, entrepreneurship, AI in sales, marketing strategy

Is the tech world finally moving beyond Silicon Valley's shadow? In this episode, Mordy Hackel speaks with Dr. Oksana Malysheva, a physicist-turned-venture-capitalist who shares her journey from the Soviet Union to leading Austin’s Sputnik ATX VC. Oksana reveals how her unconventional path has equipped her to nurture startups outside the Valley, emphasizing why grit, adaptability, and gratitude are vital for entrepreneurs. Her unique perspective on innovation, why she believes Austin is an emerging startup powerhouse, and her advice on finding joy and sustainability in the entrepreneurial grind is a must-watch.
 
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Ventures & Visionaries is delivered to you by KJ Technology. Having the right managed IT partner will help you navigate technological complexities with confidence. To drive innovation, enhance security, and streamline operations please visit https://kjtechnology.com
 
Takeaways
 
Embrace serendipity and hard work:
Oksana emphasized that true success is often a mix of serendipity, dedication, and careful planning. While setting goals is essential, staying open to unexpected opportunities can shape your path in profound ways.
 
Gratitude fuels sustainable growth:
Gratitude is highlighted as a vital mindset for entrepreneurs. Oksana shared how practicing gratitude not only enhances creativity but also helps build meaningful alliances and sustain resilience during challenging times.
 
The power of 'pockets of nothingness':
Oksana discussed the importance of carving out time for reflection, emphasizing that moments of stillness can recharge energy and provide clarity, a practice crucial for leaders and innovators.
 
Austin as a fertile ground for startups:
The episode shed light on why Austin has emerged as a vibrant hub for innovation. Its blend of top engineering talent, an inclusive community, and affordable living creates an ecosystem ripe for startup growth, distinguishing it from Silicon Valley.
 
Startups are built on resilience, not just breakthrough ideas:
Success stories rarely come from single, heroic moments. The episode reinforced that building a successful startup is a process filled with continuous learning, adaptation, and overcoming countless challenges.

What if identifying ONE key constraint could unlock massive efficiency in your business? In this episode, Dave McFarland takes us through his unexpected journey from biologist to expert in the Theory of Constraints (TOC). With years of experience consulting across 150 factory floors, Dave shares how TOC transforms business by eliminating bottlenecks and boosting productivity. His insights offer practical advice for anyone looking to streamline their operations and embrace smarter problem-solving. This is a must-listen for leaders ready to make meaningful improvements in their processes.
 
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Ventures & Visionaries is delivered to you by KJ Technology. Having the right managed IT partner will help you navigate technological complexities with confidence. To drive innovation, enhance security, and streamline operations please visit https://kjtechnology.com

How can families effectively navigate the complex dynamics of running a business together while fostering innovation and maintaining harmony? It's not easy, but it is worth it. Today's guest is Jeff Savlov, the founder of Blum & Savlov, a consulting firm specializing in family business dynamics and wealth management. Jeff’s extensive experience—spanning over 30 years—provides him with a unique vantage point from which he offers deeply insightful advice on everything from managing family relationships in business to mentoring the next generation for sustainable growth.
 
To contact Jeff Savlov please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsavlov/
To support our show please visit our sponsor:Ventures & Visionaries is delivered to you by KJ Technology. Having the right managed IT partner will help you navigate technological complexities with confidence. To drive innovation, enhance security, and streamline operations please visit https://kjtechnology.com

How can mastering operations drive significant growth in your organization? In this episode Mordy Hackel sits down with Naima Jinnah, a dynamic leader in the technology and investment sectors, to uncover the secrets behind her operational success. From her early experiences in the legal industry to leading roles in tech startups, Naima shares invaluable insights on creating effective processes, fostering a culture of intelligent failure, and leveraging AI to optimize team performance. With a strong emphasis on communication and goal alignment, this conversation provides a roadmap for leaders aiming to enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable growth. Tune in to learn how Naima's strategic approach to operations can transform your business.
 
To support our show please visit our sponsor:
Ventures & Visionaries is delivered to you by KJ Technology. Having the right managed IT partner will help you navigate technological complexities with confidence. To drive innovation, enhance security, and streamline operations please visit ⁠https://kjtechnology.com⁠
 

How can we leverage innovation to transform the energy sector? Today Mordy Hackel is joined by Catherine Flax, a founding member and President of Private Markets at X Machina Capital Strategies (XMC). Catherine also serves on several prestigious boards, including Zefiro Methane Corporation, Gradient Geothermal, Abaxx Technologies, ISO New England, Base CarbonBase, and Amperon.  Today Catherine shares her journey from banking to leading innovative energy solutions and discusses the significance of distributed energy generation, the role of geothermal technology, and the importance of sustainability in human resources. Catherine's insights into entrepreneurship, the evolving energy landscape, and the critical need for scalable solutions provide a roadmap for future innovation in the industry.
To support our show please visit our sponsor:Ventures & Visionaries is delivered to you by KJ Technology. Having the right managed IT partner will help you navigate technological complexities with confidence. To drive innovation, enhance security, and streamline operations please visit https://kjtechnology.com

How do you decode the secrets of future-proof leadership in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape? In this episode Mordy Hackel sits down with Kevin Goldstein, a former Wall Street executive turned fintech and blockchain entrepreneur, to uncover the answer. Kevin shares his eclectic career journey, emphasizing the importance of embracing the journey, combining IQ with EQ, and the relentless nature of hard work. He provides insights into the evolving tech economy, the transformative potential of blockchain, and the critical role of customer service. To support our show please visit our sponsor:Ventures & Visionaries is delivered to you by KJ Technology. Having the right managed IT partner will help you navigate technological complexities with confidence. To drive innovation, enhance security, and streamline operations please visit https://kjtechnology.com