Is Crypto Back at YC? (+ The New Rules for Series A)
- S2E66
- 52:00
- October 21st 2025
YC just changed the rules—and the market is catching up. We break down why seed is the power position, how CVCs are reshaping Series A, and what YC’s new Early Decision really means for founders and investors.
In this episode, we cover Lobster Capital updates (first Series A, first DPI), how we decide follow-ons from an insider vantage point, the rise of “seed-strapping,” Coinbase Ventures x YC’s RFS on Fintech 3.0, and why stablecoins + AI agents may be the next real on-chain wedge. We also unpack YC’s Early Decision—who it actually benefits—and what to expect heading into the next Demo Day.
You’ll learn:
Why seed has asymmetric leverage (and why top YC teams don’t optimize for dollars)
How we evaluate follow-ons: revenue quality, NRR, churn, hiring, and real signal vs noise
CVCs at Series A: when specialization beats the “Tier-1” logo
“Seed-strapping”: profitability at seed, and why some teams skip A entirely
Coinbase Ventures x YC’s Fintech 3.0 RFS and the stablecoin/AI-agent stack
YC Early Decision: who it helps (hardware/bio) and how YC captures talent earlier
📌 Watch now and subscribe for more smart, fast, founder-first interviews.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Investing Insights
00:23 Welcome to Lobster Talks
00:45 Lobster Capital Updates
03:16 Series A Graduation Rates
04:08 Fund Strategy and Follow-Ons
05:38 YC Companies and Profitability
10:33 Fundraising and Strategic Alliances
17:28 Crypto and FinTech 3.0
25:23 Global Currency Dynamics
26:20 The Rise of Stablecoins
27:27 AI and Crypto Synergy
32:03 Speculative Trading and Meme Coins
38:42 YC's Early Decision Program
44:01 The Future of YC and Startup Ecosystem
51:04 Conclusion and Upcoming Content
🎧 Listen on the go:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1u1JyRKH8JYFjhBkvTUOAP
Apple: https://apple.co/4cZ8RMm
My other YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GJarrosson
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