Super happy to be on and happy to share my insights. I am Thijs, the founder, owning member and CEO of Onramper. I’ve been building Onramper for a number of years now. Essentially, we work with crypto platforms all around the globe, helping them to facilitate payments so people can easily access and purchase crypto. The goal is to make sure that no matter where someone is located, they have the ability to buy crypto on these platforms without any unnecessary barriers.
My journey with crypto began in the same way it does for a lot of people—just dabbling a little at first. I got my first crypto, watched the market, and quickly found myself hooked. It moved from being fun to almost an obsession as I dove deeper to understand how it all works and why.
I’m naturally curious, so I started learning on my own, diving into all sorts of resources to get a handle on the complexities. Soon, I realised that much of the information out there wasn’t doing justice to the depth of the space, so I started writing. Initially, it was for my own benefit to process what I was learning. But then I began sharing my thoughts on platforms like Hacker Noon. I was still studying law back then, and I loved blending my compliance and securities law knowledge with hot topics in crypto. To my surprise, people started reaching out, asking for my take on things. Seeing how my writing resonated with others in the space was amazing.
I also wanted my content to be accessible. I’d often rewrite drafts to ensure they were simple and straightforward, aiming for a middle-school reading level. Keeping things concise without losing the message was challenging, but I found it rewarding. Although I write less now, I still get to share insights at conferences and other events. It’s a different challenge to explain crypto access and on-ramping in a way that’s easy to understand, but it’s something I’m passionate about. I believe making crypto accessible is essential, so I enjoy pushing the conversation forward and helping people grasp the basics.
It’s definitely a balancing act—being a founder, sharing knowledge, and engaging in discussions like this. But I love it, and I’m excited to keep learning and sharing.
That’s a really important question, and I think most founders struggle with balance in some way. I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I’ve found that breaking down “work-life balance” into specific areas helps me manage it better. For me, it’s about balancing my professional life with other aspects that define who I am, like intellectual pursuits, physical activities, social connections, romantic relationships, and even spiritual growth.
What I’ve noticed is that if I focus too intensely on any one area—like work, for example—my overall productivity and motivation actually take a hit. As many founders do, I can easily spend too much time on work, but I become less effective. To counter that, I make sure I’m getting to the gym, going for runs, or spending time with friends. I’ve found that when I put energy into these other areas, my work actually benefits, too. It’s about keeping everything in check, which helps me avoid burnout and stay motivated.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. I try to follow my own advice, but maintaining this balance is a constant struggle. I think it’s essential to recognise when I’m veering too far into one area. Theoretical balance is one thing, but the day-to-day reality is more challenging. So, I also look to other founders and entrepreneurs for advice, trying to learn from how they handle similar struggles. Chatting with others in the same situation often brings valuable insights and practical strategies.
Ultimately, it’s about learning as you go and staying open to improving. No matter how much you know, there’s always room to learn from others. Balance is a work in progress, but it’s crucial to being effective and staying energised in the long run.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the planning phase, trying to iterate on what you think is the “perfect” idea. But the reality is that the idea you start with is almost never what you end up with, and that’s okay. Most of us aren’t that 0.01% who get it right from the get-go. So, what really matters is to stop overthinking and just start doing it.
Once you begin to act, you start testing your assumptions and learning through experience. I think that’s where many aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck—they stay in this “aspirational bubble” instead of taking concrete steps. But to succeed, you have to embrace that you’re going to fail and probably fail often. And it’s not just about failing—it’s about failing fast and learning from each iteration as quickly as possible. For example, if you have an idea for an app, you could spend years building it before you realise it’s not what users need. Or, you could start by talking to potential users, like teachers in this case, and get feedback immediately.
The sooner you get feedback, the quicker you can pivot or refine your approach. It’s all about shortening that cycle of learning. I think that’s why, even with angel investors, you’ll often find that they’re not as interested in the product itself in the early stages. They’re more interested in the founder and their ability to adapt because they know the idea will evolve.
Honestly, this mentality goes beyond startups. After studying law for five years, I realised that the traditional path in law didn’t suit me. It took a while, but eventually, I tried working with startups, which was so different from what I’d expected to do. And that experience led me to where I am today with Onramper. Each step, even the ones that seemed like “mistakes” at the time, helped me build the needed skills. So, don’t be afraid to try new things and fail—it might be the best way to find the right path for you.
If you’re interested in crypto, just dive in—it’s one of the easiest spaces to get involved in. The industry thrives on decentralised, permissionless participation, which means no one can prevent you from jumping in and contributing to projects or communities. It’s all about getting engaged, and there are many ways to do it. Whether it’s writing content, recording a podcast, coding, or helping to manage online communities, there’s always a way to add value.
Start by checking out where these communities interact, like Discord, Telegram, or other platforms, and see where your skills might fit in. Crypto is such an open and collaborative space that even if you start small, your efforts will likely be recognised. You just need to ask yourself, “How can I add value here?” and follow whatever feels energising and interesting to you. Before you know it, those small contributions could lead to real opportunities.
This approach is actually common across tech fields, like fintech and payments. Many start by building connections and collaborating with others in the space, opening doors and filling knowledge gaps. By getting involved in relevant communities, you’re not just learning but also positioning yourself for future collaborations and possibilities. It’s all about leveraging those networks and engaging where it counts.
Forecasting the future of crypto is challenging, given the incredible advancements made since its early days as a niche concept. Crypto’s growth has been propelled by innovation’s snowball effect, with countless people experimenting with new ideas, implementations, and business models. This sector uniquely attracts ambitious, intellectually curious individuals who are passionate about decentralisation and idealistic goals, which is a precursor to major long-term impacts.
I’m particularly excited about crypto’s potential to transform access to financial systems, especially for the unbanked. While many critics point out that Bitcoin isn’t widely used for everyday payments, crypto’s real impact may be enabling international commerce and online transactions for those previously excluded from traditional banking systems. For example, in parts of sub-Saharan Africa where bank access is limited, mobile carriers have allowed people to use SIM cards as currency wallets. Pairing this model with stablecoin infrastructure can bypass traditional banks entirely, providing unbanked individuals access to global financial systems.
This broader adoption will likely accelerate in the coming years, offering practical solutions like international remittances and online purchasing for underserved populations. Stablecoins, digital wallets, and blockchain technologies may redefine payments, making crypto as accessible and useful as fiat currency without requiring users to understand the underlying tech.
When it comes to integrating crypto and fiat, I advocate for a tech-neutral approach—users simply want efficiency, not necessarily to know what’s running behind the scenes. I also see room for user experience and accessibility improvements, making blockchain feel seamlessly integrated into financial systems rather than separate from them. Certain blockchains are already capable of handling near-instant, low-cost international payments, which underscores the enormous potential crypto has to drive financial inclusion and foster more connected, equitable economies worldwide.
Success and wealth are often correlated, but true success, in my view, is deeply tied to fulfilment. Feeling fulfilled in various aspects of life—whether it’s professionally, romantically, socially, or spiritually—contributes to overall happiness. Wealth plays a role by alleviating financial stress, which can be a source of unhappiness but doesn’t directly create happiness. Instead, wealth removes some barriers to happiness, allowing people to focus on what truly fulfils them.
For me, success isn’t defined solely by career achievements or financial gains. It’s about achieving balance across different areas of life. Intellectual, physical, social, and emotional well-being are all essential components of my idea of success. I believe that happiness and success are intrinsically linked: it’s hard to feel unsuccessful if you’re genuinely happy and fulfilled. Therefore, the mental frameworks contributing to happiness and work-life balance are also integral to success.
This perspective challenges traditional definitions of success, often focusing solely on wealth or professional milestones. While society may equate success with financial or career status, true success is more about living a balanced and engaged life. By focusing on fulfilment and balance, I believe we can redefine success in a way that resonates more universally. Everyone may have different career goals or aspirations, but the pursuit of happiness and balance is a shared journey. Prioritising these aspects helps ensure that success remains a holistic, personally meaningful experience.
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