- David Hoffman switched from psychology to cryptology – at least to the sub -area on which the cryptocurrencies are based – and founded Bankless.
- Among other things, Bankless Ventures finances web3 startups and advises projects such as ZKSync and Galleon.
David Hoffman never thought that his life would lead psychology to the crypto industry. A long time ago he sat in a practice in Seattle and listened to stories of children about fears and trauma. Today he talks about old coins, Ethereum and the future of global finances in the bankless podcast.
For David everything started with a simple question:
“How can people take control of their lives without having to rely on systems that hold them back?”
David Hoffman: From psychology practice into the cryptor compartment
David grew up in Seattle, but spent four years of his studies in Orange County, California. He visited Chapman University and studied psychology and visual art, subjects far from blockchains. During his studies, he also developed an interest in nutrition and physical health.
After graduating, he returned to Seattle and worked as a consultant in a facility for mental health of children. There he recognized for the first time how traditional systems, including medical and financial systems, often restrict the ability of the individual to be successful on his own. It was not a “Heureka moment”, but rather a number of small points that slowly formed its new direction.
Between the jobs he started to be interested in crypto. In 2017 he began to seriously deal with blockchain technology. At this point it may have appeared strange – a therapist who Ethereum speaks? But David was not interested in fulfilling expectations.
The foundation of Bankless and the break with the shape
Slowly but safely left David His job in the world of mental health. He worked as a blockchain researcher on two early projects and then switched to Real, a platform for the tokenization of real estate. But the crucial moment came when he and Ryan Sean Adams decided in September 2020 to found Bankless.
Bankless is not just a podcast or a newsletter. For David, it is a way to spread a great idea: that people can manage their own money without relying on banks. He even explained that 99 % of his assets are in Ethereum and not in a conventional bank account.
Bankless is not only instructive, but also a loud voice for the “bank -free” lifestyle. They talk about staking, old coins and the philosophy of financial freedom. Many have heard of them for the first time on YouTube and then fell into the deep defi room.
Extension of influence through web3 investments
After building a large community through the media, it was time for David to expand his influence on the investment path. In 2023 Bankless Ventures, an early phase venture fund to support web3 projects. David not only performed as a branding partner, but also directly as a general partner.
In a short time, Bankless ventures were able to raise up to $ 35 million and began to support new startups in the Kryptowelt. In addition, David also became Angel Investor for various projects such as Aztec, block native, Connext and Optimism. He even became a consultant for several web3 projects, such as ZKSync and Galleon.
However, David’s path did not always go smoothly. At the beginning of 2025, he and his team were involved in an internal polemic through their investment in the AICC project. Some shares were sold without their knowledge, so that Hoffman had to intervene directly and buy the shares back so as not to damage their reputation. A memory that the crypto world is fast -moving, but also full of dramas.
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