Building in Web3 is not for the faint-hearted and Hatu Sheikh has carved out success in one of the most fast-moving industries. Markets are volatile and the gap between vision and execution is wider than in almost any other industry.
Yet Hatu Sheikh has spent nearly a decade doing exactly that, building, iterating and refusing to walk away when conditions get difficult. From launching CoinTerminal as the industry's first truly open-access launchpad, Hatu Sheikh has consistently built with purpose and with a clear audience in mind: the retail investor.
What sets Sheikh apart from many of his peers is not just what he has built, but how and why he builds.
Rooted in a strong academic foundation in mathematical economics, his approach to Web3 is defined by systems thinking, a deep scepticism of gatekeeping, and an unwavering belief that decentralised finance should be accessible to everyone, not just those with insider connections or institutional backing.
How Hatu Sheikh's Academic Background Shapes the Way He Builds
Since 2017, Hatu Sheikh has constructed his career by navigating and reshaping the unpredictable realm of cryptocurrency. His background in mathematical economics and his dedication to making decentralised finance (DeFi) accessible to retail investors significantly shape his approach.
The Philosophy Behind the Way Hatu Sheikh Builds
Hatu Sheikh's Web3 building approach is characterised by a combination of academic rigour, an emphasis on decentralisation, and the belief that financial tools should serve retail users as well as institutions.
Hatu’s philosophy is based on mathematical economics and the aspiration to democratise access to capital.
How Hatu Sheikh Approaches Building in Web3
Hatu Sheikh is a leading entrepreneur in Web3 and is recognised for his perspective on the industry that emphasises mathematical economics and system-level thinking while aiming to democratise decentralised finance (DeFi).
Hatu Sheikh’s strategy focuses on establishing a strong infrastructure that connects traditional finance with blockchain technology, with the goal of developing systems for retail investors that are fairer, more accessible, and more secure.
How Hatu Sheikh Built CoinTerminal
CoinTerminal is designed as an open-access, “free-access" IDO launchpad that aims to democratise early-stage crypto investing by removing staking requirements and token gating, something that Hatu Sheikh identified when starting the business. User safety is prioritised on the platform via refundable investments.
The Lessons Hatu Sheikh Has Learned From Building in Web3
Hassan Hatu Sheikh’s experience has produced several important lessons on dealing with volatility, nurturing community, and creating sustainable infrastructure:
- Seize the Opportunity: It is during bear markets that the best opportunities to build arise, as these periods eliminate "unnecessary frills" and enable serious projects to rise to the top of the industry.
- Focus on Fundamentals: In times of decline, projects should concentrate on reinforcing their roadmap and increasing utility, rather than merely depending on hype.
- Democratising Access: A fundamental lesson is that retail investors, rather than just insiders, should be the focus of decentralised finance (DeFi).
- Remove Barriers: Hatu Sheikh concentrates on removing high entry barriers, like compulsory token-staking for launchpad involvement, in his work on platforms such as CoinTerminal.
The Continuation of Hatu Sheikh’s Web3 Journey
Hatu Sheikh selected Dubai as the centre for his Web3 projects, including the Dubai Fintech District, due to the city's remarkable combination of proactive regulatory transparency, access to a diverse and “hungry” global talent pool and its strategic position connecting Asian and European markets.
These factors are always in Hatu Sheikh's thoughts as he continues his own innovative journey.
