Being within the C-suite is a high-pressure job with lengthy hours, obligations to the board, and intense scrutiny. However what’s it wish to be a prime government while you’re off the clock?
Fortune’s collection, The Good Life, exhibits how up-and-coming leaders spend their money and time outdoors of labor.
Right this moment we meet Eric Chen, the CEO and cofounder of monetary blockchain Injective Basis.
Hype round cryptocurrency has been rising for years—and Wall Avenue is now lastly embracing it. Chen’s firm offers buyers a safe platform to reinvent international markets; he says his Layer 1 blockchain is without doubt one of the largest crypto networks ever constructed, main the business in person exercise, transactions, and financial quantity. Since its 2018 inception, Injective has processed greater than 2 billion on-chain transactions, with over 1.5 million wallets on the system. It has raised $56 million from main buyers resembling Binance, BitGo, Pantera, Bounce—and even ex-Shark Tank billionaire investor Mark Cuban.
“The mission is straightforward: to create a really free and honest monetary system by decentralization,” Chen tells Fortune. “It does so by giving each builder, monetary establishment, and person the instruments they should reinvent international markets in a completely clear and permission-less method.”
Over the previous seven years, Injective has grown to a $1.34 billion firm—and at 26 years previous, Chen is simply getting began. Extra impressively, he launched the corporate at simply 19 whereas enrolled in New York College. Chen was finding out finance and mining Ethereum in his dorm room, all whereas interning at Innovating Capital on a hedge-fund desk. The then-teenager was impressed to launch Injective after witnessing the inefficiencies of the standard market—so he dropped out of NYU, and began constructing his billion-dollar enterprise.
Injective has since made leaps in progress; Deutsche Telekom, T-Cell’s telecoms arm, joined as a validator, bringing Fortune 500-quality community infrastructure. Cboe International Markets—the biggest choices trade in America—additionally submitted a request to record the fund, signaling sturdy institutional curiosity and inserting Injective amongst networks with potential U.S.-listed ETFs.
Attributable to his enterprise’ large development, Chen says he can’t bear in mind a time when he was absolutely away from his work. The CEO’s enjoyable luxurious devices—together with a $2,900 mattress cowl, Oura ring, and racing simulator—assist maintain him sane, he says, within the thick of his busy schedule. He by no means buys groceries, opting to eat out in New York Metropolis or Doordash his meals. Taking only a few swanky holidays, he lives a globetrotting way of life by his enterprise, with journeys to Seoul, London, Toronto, Abhu Dhabi, and Singapore this yr.
The funds
Fortune: What’s been the most effective funding you’ve ever made?
My Eight Sleep mattress cowl, round $2,900. It allows me to be maximally environment friendly with sleep and decrease possibilities of productiveness drop off resulting from poor sleep high quality.
And the worst?
I wouldn’t say there’s been a single ‘worst’ funding up to now. Each choice, whether or not it’s labored out or not, has taught me one thing beneficial and formed how I feel going ahead. I attempt to method all the things with a studying mindset, which helps flip even the much less profitable bets into long-term upside.
How do you commute to work?
I dwell in New York, so my commute is normally a fast stroll from residence to the workplace.
How a lot is in your pockets? Do you might have any enjoyable bank cards you’d advocate?
Fiat [government tender, like the U.S. dollar] is dying so I really by no means carry any money!
Do you put money into shares?
I primarily solely purchase and maintain crypto through apps on Injective. I dollar-cost-average into my favourite belongings and use varied programmable AI-driven bots to automate most trades, since I’m usually very caught up with work to comply with the markets intently today.
The most effective method is to study by doing, whereas maintaining threat low at first. There are a lot of nice sources on-line together with tutorials, movies, and boards that may enable you construct a robust basis. Most platforms additionally supply paper buying and selling, which lets you apply with simulated cash and no actual monetary threat. Use that have to realize confidence earlier than investing precise funds. Be sure to really feel ready to deal with the ups and downs of the market earlier than leaping in.
What private finance recommendation would you give your 20-year-old self?
Make investments extra in Bitcoin.
What’s the one subscription you may’t dwell with out?
My Oura ring subscription. It’s nice for monitoring every day energy and sleep, which truthfully is a godsend.
The place’s your go-to wristwatch from?
I like my Apple watch. Easy but efficient.
The requirements
How do you get your every day espresso repair?
Again after I first began Injective in school, I used to be operating virtually completely on Pink Bull. We even had a Pink Bull fridge in our first workplace to maintain a gradual provide. Lately I’ve made the change to Celsius or double-espresso to maintain me going.
What about consuming on the go?
Like with my exercises, I attempt to be fairly disciplined about stepping away from my desk for lunch after I can. Most days, I’ll eat in our communal workplace kitchen. It’s break and offers me an opportunity to meet up with the workforce. That stated, there are undoubtedly days when issues are continuous and I find yourself consuming at my desk or on the go.
I used to order take-out a ton since I’ve no time to cook dinner, however not too long ago I’ve began to meal prep. So, normally I simply eat that at my desk whereas catching up on information on the similar time.
The place do you purchase groceries?
That is going to sound horrible, however I’m not certain I ever actually purchase groceries. I dwell off of meal prep and Doordash most days.
How usually in per week do you dine out versus cook dinner at residence?
About 90% of the time, I find yourself consuming out between work conferences, dinners, or simply making the most of being in New York. There’s at all times one thing new to attempt, and so many nice spots close by.
Any go-to eating places or takeaways close to you?
Considered one of my favorites proper now could be Barlume, a Mediterranean place close to our workplace that I am going to fairly usually.
The place do you store on your work wardrobe?
Consolation has at all times been my precedence. My model has undoubtedly modified since school—whose hasn’t? Again then I’d simply throw on no matter I acquired from conferences or hackathons. Lately, I nonetheless maintain it comfy, however now I’ll attain for one thing like Sporty & Wealthy.
What can be a typical work outfit for you?
I wouldn’t say I’ve a set on a regular basis wardrobe. Some days it’s gymnasium shorts, a polo, and flip-flops, particularly if it’s a extra informal day. Different occasions, if I’ve an necessary assembly, I’ll go for a shirt and chinos. It actually is dependent upon what the day requires.
Are you the proud proprietor of any futuristic devices?
I’m undecided if it counts as futuristic, however my responsible pleasure is certainly the racing simulator I’ve at residence. It’s the largest gadget I personal, and it does an insanely good job of simulating the actual factor.
The treats
How do you unwind from the highest job?
If I’ve the time, I like enjoying tennis. It’s one of many few issues that actually helps me unplug and re-energize. It’s bodily lively but in addition mentally partaking, which makes it the right mixture for me. Even simply hitting for an hour clears my head and offers me a second wind.
What’s the most effective bonus deal with you’ve purchased your self?
After internet hosting a giant Injective occasion in Belgium, I booked a number of hours on an actual race observe with my pals. The simulator apply paid off.
How do you deal with your self while you get a promotion?
I normally don’t purchase myself something bodily as a reward to be fairly trustworthy. Attending to go to a live performance with my pals or testing attention-grabbing performances within the metropolis is the closest factor to a bonus reward I might say.
Take us on vacation with you: What’s subsequent in your trip record?
My subsequent trip will really be to Northern Macedonia to attend the marriage of one in all our authentic Injective builders. It’s a particular full-circle second, and I’m excited to have a good time with somebody who’s been a part of the journey for the reason that early days.
Often my “holidays” are simply work conferences around the globe. This yr alone, I’ll have been in Seoul, London, Toronto, Abhu Dhabi, and Singapore for talks I’m giving.
What number of days of annual go away do you’re taking a yr?
What’s a break day? Jokes apart, I really can’t bear in mind a time after I was 100% away from work. Even after I is likely to be at a good friend’s housewarming or visiting a brand new metropolis, I’m 24/7 terminally on-line.
Fortune desires to listen to from enterprise leaders on what their “Good Life” appears to be like like. Get in contact: emma.burleigh@fortune.com
