Dan is the founder of Lightbulb Capital, building the next generation of financial services on blockchain – but that’s only half of his “pracademic” activity. He is also a lecturer at both Singapore Management University and Rotterdam School of Management, creating and teaching courses on fintech, blockchain and cryptocurrency.

If anyone can help us find a sensible and balanced path to teaching both crypto and financial literacy, it’s Dan.

• What first made you interested in understanding money and finance? If you had an “A-ha” moment, where you felt you started to understand money better, please tell us about that.

As a kid and in school, I did not enjoy much financial education. Then I worked in Investment Banking technology (since 1999) and only understood the bigger context of money and investments after I had gone back to school to get a Master’s in Finance, which I completed in 2013. So working in Financial services does not mean understanding finance at all – I have to admit… even if it makes me look a lil silly, especially on the macro-economic level.

• Where did you learn most of the important things you learned about Finance? Online, specific books, at home, etc.

A lot came from the degree. But that was only the starting point. I also learned much from mentors that offered a varied and comprehensive insight into the different aspects of Finance. And can you believe it, now I am not that far from completing a PhD in Finance? On that note, endless discussions with my supervisors about what security is certainly also enhanced my understanding. Who would have thought… definitely not my mother, haha. I agreed with her when I was younger that math is simply not my thing.

• What made you want to help other people with understanding money?

As a lecturer at University, I am very passionate about explicitly talking about new forms of money, such as cryptocurrencies. I enjoy the discussions and learn more in every class. If you can’t teach it, you don’t understand it – so it helps me know where I still need to brush up on specific areas of Finance.

• Is there one particular group or community you like to help with understanding money? Why did you choose that group?

I am keen to support young people (high school age?) to understand money better. Currently, I have no opportunity to do that, but if I had learned the basics back when I was that age, that would have been so cool.

• Is there one book, influencer, academic or other sources of financial education material that you recommend more than others?

Since I am interested in the new(er) forms of money: bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf 

• Is there one tip you share more than any others? What is it?

Read slowly, reflect and understand, rather than bragging about how much and fast you read.

• Has there been a single event you can look at and say, definitely, that understanding money and Finance led to a much better outcome in your life?

Because my Prof for Corporate Finance and Valuation at Uni was not great, I chose to listen to all of Aswath Damodaran’s courses on YouTube. That definitely helped, and I guess I would not be doing the work I do now without studying his courses.

• What are you looking for in a winning entry for the MAIAs?

Impact! For example, through nascent financial technology.

• And a bonus question: do you have one guilty little pleasure that you spend money on that maybe other people think you shouldn’t, but you feel is really worth it?

I do like to go to the rhythmic cycling studio. And so many friends say I should just bike on the street. It is not the same, at least to me 😉