Hi TechMates Community,
Mark Pavlyukovskyy and Hendrik Remigereau here, bringing you another insightful TechMates episode powered by NZVC—the venture firm backing the next generation of iconic companies from New Zealand and beyond. This time, we’re chatting with an entrepreneur who's navigated crypto’s rollercoaster ride from startup to successful exit 🚀.
Today’s guest is Janine Grainger, co-founder and CEO of Easy Crypto, a leading cryptocurrency exchange in New Zealand that recently merged with Australia's SwiftX. Janine’s crypto journey started with an innocent curiosity in 2014 when she first bought Bitcoin. From side hustle to full-time venture, she built Easy Crypto amidst market crashes, regulatory hurdles, and fierce competition, creating a seamless experience for crypto novices and veterans alike.
Explore the episode
In this episode, you’ll discover:
🌱 Resilience through clarity of purpose – Janine’s key insight into startup leadership.
💡 Why simplicity and transparency win users’ trust – her crucial communication takeaway.
🔥 Navigating crypto’s volatility to a successful exit – the headline journey of Easy Crypto.
🌍 Scaling from New Zealand to Australia and beyond – valuable insights on international expansion.
🚀 Janine’s incredible career arc: from curious investor to industry leader – her biggest achievement.
Don’t miss out on these exclusive insights!
Listen or read the highlights below
⏰ Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & Easy Crypto Exit
02:12 - Overcoming Crypto Market Crashes
03:14 - What Easy Crypto Actually Does
05:11 - Early Customers & Product Evolution
09:40 - Janine’s Personal Crypto Journey
11:17 - Navigating Crypto Volatility
19:12 - Regulatory and Banking Challenges
28:30 - Launching NZ Dollar Stablecoin
38:10 - Early Career & Path to Crypto
41:10 - Starting a Crypto Business While at a Bank
46:42 - Decision to Go Full-Time on Easy Crypto
48:51 - Fundraising Insights & Challenges
51:45 - What's Next After the Exit?
53:03 - Industries Janine is Excited About
54:13 - Lessons for Startup Founders
55:48 - Building a Startup in New Zealand
57:39 - Global Trends in Crypto Adoption
How Janine Grainger Built and Exited a Leading Crypto Platform
Crypto’s Wild Ride
When Janine first stumbled across Bitcoin in 2014, it cost around $3,000 NZD. She vividly remembers thinking,
"We've got a global village with the internet—but no global payment system. Obviously, this is going to get adopted."
This early insight led her to start Easy Crypto, initially aiming just to simplify crypto for friends and family.
Scaling through Simplicity
Easy Crypto grew rapidly because it prioritized user experience.
"Crypto is complex enough without making the purchase journey harder," Janine says,
emphasizing simplicity as the platform’s key differentiator. Yet it wasn’t all smooth sailing; banks initially refused to offer them accounts due to regulatory fears. Janine recalls,
"I contacted every person in my LinkedIn who worked at a bank. Eventually, one said, 'If it's a no, I'll find out why.'"
Future of Digital Currency
Janine believes strongly in the evolution toward digital currencies, particularly stablecoins:
"Having digital equivalents of fiat currencies will transform finance," she says.
Easy Crypto itself issued a New Zealand stablecoin (NZDD), designed specifically to simplify crypto trades for Kiwi investors. But she cautions,
"Until underlying systems digitize, we’re still early days."
Recently, Easy Crypto joined forces with Australian exchange Swyftx to create a new crypto powerhouse in the region. Combining Easy Crypto’s strong presence in New Zealand and commitment to user-friendly crypto access with Swyftx’s broader range of trading options and innovative financial products, the merger positions both companies to significantly enhance their offerings and accelerate regional growth. Janine describes it as "a great cultural and strategic fit," marking an exciting new chapter for Australasian fintech.
Janine’s journey exemplifies how resilience, clear purpose, and genuine user focus can navigate even the most volatile markets.
For more in-depth insights from Janine Grainger, be sure to listen to the full TechMates podcast episode!
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Happy listening,
The TechMates Team
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