The mainstream conversation around cryptocurrency has largely focused on stories of its instability as a market that rose in popularity from origins in Silk Road and “the dark web.” However, crypto’s rise and increasing acceptance in the market is dispelling misconceptions of its high risk, creating opportunities for innovation.

“It’s a transparent currency; it’s safer than a lot of other things out there. People don’t understand … what’s really going on in the market,” said Greg Landegger (pictured), vice president at Parsons & Whittemore Inc. and a private equity and venture capital investor working in cryptocurrency.

Landegger spoke with John Furrier (@furrier), host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s mobile livestreaming studio, during the Blockchain Week event in New York City. They discussed the state of the market and how Landegger is working against stigmas to expand the efficacy of crypto tech.

‘This is the future’

Landegger invests in the top six digital currencies, which he’s termed “rebel coins” — Ripple, Etherium, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, EOS and Lightcoin — for a total of 20 coin investments at a time. He makes investment decisions based primarily on the team and their history in crypto to avoid newcomers with ideas less likely to be founded in experience.

“It’s 80 percent the team. … Do they have an understanding of what they’re doing? … If we find a team that is experienced in an area, understands it, has a real go-to-market story,” he said.

Crypto’s rise has inspired skeptical comparison to the boom and subsequent bust of the dot com era, albeit at a faster clip as a result of the hefty funding behind most initial coin offerings. While the funds have created more opportunity in the space, it hasn’t necessarily reduced its risk, according to Landegger.

“There’s more money upfront than people typically had, and that’s really what’s changed the market a lot for us. … But it doesn’t guarantee they’ll succeed,” he said.

While crypto still holds some unpredictability, the market is working to account for its pitfalls through improved governance and a greater focus on community. Landegger recognizes huge potential in the future of crypto, as well as the work that still needs to be done.

“We’re not there yet. … But long-term … this is something that central governments are looking at in supporting; enterprise is getting into it. This is the future,” he concluded.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of Blockchain Week NYC.

Photo: SiliconANGLE