© Photo Courtesy of Zero Percent

In a dynamic and rapidly evolving financial landscape, few figures have managed to establish a presence as compelling as Jeff Sekinger. As the founder of Zero Percent, Orca Capital, and NURP, Sekinger stands at the intersection of traditional finance and the burgeoning cryptocurrency market.

In an enlightening conversation with Millennial, Sekinger shared his journey, the philosophies driving his ventures, and his vision for the future of digital assets.

The Genesis of Three Distinct Ventures

Sekinger’s foray into the financial world is marked by the founding of three companies, each addressing a unique market need. Zero Percent, the oldest of his enterprises, focuses on helping entrepreneurs secure low-interest financing.

He describes the company as a vital resource for those starting their first venture, providing access to funds ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. “We help the entrepreneur optimize their credit and then connect them with certain banking relationships that help them get that type of funding,” Sekinger explains.

Orca Capital, on the other hand, is a long-shore digital asset hedge fund that recently celebrated its 5th year anniversary. “We’ve got a few different funds under one management company and hundreds of limited partners worldwide,” he notes.

Sekinger’s experience with cryptocurrency spans over a decade, having first invested in Bitcoin in 2013. His deep understanding of the crypto ecosystem is reflected in Orca’s diverse investment strategies.

NURP, a SaaS company targeting retail traders, represents Sekinger’s latest venture. “We launched educational products about investing and trading,” he says, highlighting the company’s evolution into developing software solutions. These tools enable traders to manage their accounts more effectively, utilizing algorithms that drive core trading strategies.

© Jeff in his Miami office

Navigating the Cryptocurrency Market

Amidst the volatility and skepticism surrounding cryptocurrencies, Jeff Sekinger offers a nuanced perspective on market opportunities. As the global crypto market cap hovers around $2.2 trillion, he contrasts it with other major asset classes, noting, “Stocks are over 100 trillion, real estate is over 300 trillion, and gold is five times larger than all of the cryptocurrency market combined.”

Sekinger emphasizes the significance of recent institutional adoption, with multiple ETFs gaining approval in the U.S. and Hong Kong. “We’re at a really exciting tipping point that I’ve been waiting to happen for practically 10 years now,” he states, highlighting the transformative potential of these developments.

Within the crypto market, Sekinger identifies burgeoning niches such as decentralized AI and decentralized finance as areas ripe for growth. These sectors, he argues, offer opportunities for higher returns beyond traditional investments in Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Addressing Liquidity and Market Dynamics

Concerns about liquidity and the stability of cryptocurrencies are not lost on Sekinger. He acknowledges that any asset, if sold off en masse, would experience a price drop. However, he points to Bitcoin’s robust liquidity, with a 24-hour trading volume reaching $39 billion. “Bitcoin is highly liquid,” he asserts, adding that the recent Bitcoin ETF launch was the most successful in history.

Sekinger also touches upon the challenges of liquidity in smaller projects, particularly those with market caps below $500 million. “With some bigger hedge funds, they do have difficulty with liquidity because when you’re trying to move billions of dollars in projects that are only worth $100 million, it’s pretty difficult to get significant exposure to that.”

Jeff Sekinger Eyes the Cycles and Market Predictions in Crypto

Drawing on his extensive experience, Sekinger discusses the cyclical nature of the crypto market, highlighting a pattern of four-year cycles with three years of bull markets followed by one year of a bear market. He explains, “The bottom was right around November 7th of 2022. So potentially, the next top would be around three years after that.”

Sekinger’s prediction for Bitcoin’s price by 2025 is optimistic, estimating a peak of around $180,000 per coin. This forecast is based on historical trends and the anticipated impact of institutional investment via ETFs. He underscores the importance of considering various scenarios and weighing probabilities, factoring in new fundamental events and macroeconomic conditions.

© Jeff giving a keynote presentation

The Role of Bitcoin in Everyday Transactions

As Bitcoin continues to gain acceptance, the question of its utility as a currency remains pertinent. Sekinger shares his experiences with using Bitcoin for transactions, noting, “We just had someone pay tens of thousands of dollars today with Bitcoin for our software services.”

While acknowledging the challenges posed by transaction times, he points to innovations like the Bitcoin Lightning Network, which aims to expedite transactions and improve scalability.

Despite Bitcoin’s potential as a currency, Sekinger believes other technologies may ultimately prove more effective for peer-to-peer payments. He describes Bitcoin as a store of value, akin to digital gold, with its scarcity offering a hedge against inflationary fiat currencies.

Emerging Technologies and the Future of Crypto

Beyond Bitcoin, Sekinger expresses enthusiasm for emerging technologies that promise to redefine the crypto landscape. He highlights fair launch projects, such as Casper (KASPA), which aim to realize Satoshi Nakamoto’s vision of a peer-to-peer cash system. “I have a lot invested in that project, and I do believe that long-term it can fulfill the peer-to-peer payments rail that Bitcoin was made out to be,” he affirms.

Sekinger also addresses the potential for tokenization and NFTs to revolutionize various industries. From real estate to royalties, he envisions a future where assets are tokenized, enhancing efficiency and accessibility. “I think that there’s absolutely a market for tokenization,” he states, aligning with BlackRock’s view that global assets will eventually be digitized.

Personal Branding and Future Vision

In reflecting on his journey, Jeff Sekinger emphasizes the power of personal branding. Initially skeptical of social media, he credits Gary Vaynerchuk’s book, Crush It, for reshaping his perspective. “The personal brand is your resume, and it’s not going away,” he acknowledges, citing the benefits of transparency and authenticity in attracting like-minded individuals.

Sekinger’s personal goals, displayed prominently on his phone’s home screen, reflect his aspirations for financial success and philanthropy. From achieving a $30 million liquid net worth to donating $1 million annually to charity, his ambitions underscore a commitment to growth and impact.

 

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Words of Wisdom

On a final note, Sekinger imparts valuable insights for investors and entrepreneurs. He advises against following the herd, noting that market success often requires contrarian thinking. “Realize that pretty much everything you invest in is a zero-sum game, which means for you to win, someone has to lose,” he asserts.

Sekinger also stresses the importance of discipline and consistent effort in achieving excellence. Drawing inspiration from books like The Compound Effect and The Slight Edge, he advocates for the power of incremental progress and the transformative impact of sustained focus.

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and shifting paradigms, Sekinger’s journey offers a blueprint for navigating the complexities of the financial world. His insights and strategies resonate with those seeking to harness the potential of cryptocurrency while remaining grounded in the principles of discipline and integrity.

As the crypto frontier continues to unfold, Jeff Sekinger serves as a guiding light for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike.