Easy Crypto: The $4 Billion Fintech Success Story

Easy Crypto co-founder Janine Grainge started the fintech company in late 2017. Within four years, she’d scaled it to over 250k users and more than NZD $2 billion in trades, smashing big goals in record time.Janine talks about how to start a business with no money, how an entrepreneur mindset work, and how her fintech story shaped how New Zealand do cypto. This fintech startup story started as a business with no money and they have no ideas.She is recognised globally as the crypto expert, a Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual 2023, a Women in Web3 Changemaker, and a UoA 40 Under 40 Innovator.Episode Sponsorwww.podcastguest.co.nzWe cover:- Saying no to “no”.- When a bank wouldn’t open an account.- When her platform gets banned from advertising.- and when a CEO who won’t “shill” in Facebook groups… becomes the companys Australian country manager out of a ban.Timestamp00:00 – Intro02:52 – Janine Grainger childhood lessons on money and resilience04:40 – Should you drop out of high school to become an entrepreneur?07:09 – How to deal with imposter syndrome as a startup founder09:02 – Why Janine believed in Bitcoin before it was mainstream10:36 – The future of digital money and financial systems going digital12:12 – What disruption in crypto really means for New Zealand startups13:28 – How Easy Crypto grew fast with automation and lean operations14:22 – The crazy story of how Janine’s brother built Easy Crypto in 5 days16:31 – Co-founder dynamics: Building a business with your sibling17:32 – How startup co-founders grow together: equity splits, roles & relationship changes21:10 – The power of dreaming big in business (BHAG explained)23:29 – Where young entrepreneurs in New Zealand can find free startup support25:08 – How to validate your business idea and get product-market fit29:10 – How Easy Crypto got customers without paid ads or Google marketing30:45 – How Easy Crypto grew through Facebook groups without shilling (banned story that led to Australia expansion)32:39 – Customer growth journey: From 10M in 18 months to 10M daily turnover34:39 – How Easy Crypto survived competitors copying their code (startup moat story)36:27 – How Easy Crypto convinced KiwiBank after every NZ bank said no (startup banking struggle)40:58 – Easy Crypto expansion into South Africa and the Global South43:37 – Why is cryptocurrency so volatile? Truth about Bitcoin spikes44:47 – The “Wild West” days of crypto and how regulation changed everything47:51 – Why Easy Crypto sold to Swyftx: regulation, costs & consolidation50:56 – Janine’s best business decision vs biggest mistake as a founder53:49 – Finding your WHY as an entrepreneur when the industry changes56:13 – How to connect with Janine Grainger on LinkedInFollow Janine:www.easycrypto.comFollow me: linkin.bio/minaamsoListen on: Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bXEpisode Sponsor:www.podcastguest.co.nz