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  3. /Chris Burniske
  4. /Briefing
Pre-Pitch Briefing

Chris Burniske

Partner at Placeholder VC

cryptoasset valuationtoken economicslayer 1 protocolsdecentralized finance

Their Thesis

Crypto valuation frameworks and portfolio theory. Co-creator of Placeholder's crypto thesis.

How to Pitch Them

Chris thinks in frameworks. Show quantitative reasoning for your token valuation.

What Excites Them

Token valuation frameworks, long-term infrastructure bets, conviction investments

What They Pass On

Hype-driven projects, poor valuation fundamentals

Key Frameworks

Crypto Network Value Framework

Valuing crypto networks based on utility, scarcity, and network effects rather than traditional DCF models.

Protocols as Economies

Treating crypto protocols as emerging digital economies with their own monetary policies and GDP.

Network Value to Transactions (NVT)

Valuation metric comparing network value to transaction throughput, analogous to P/E ratios

In Their Own Words

“Crypto assets are a new asset class that enables decentralized applications.”

— Cryptoassets (2017)

“The market is driven by narratives, but value is driven by networks.”

— Placeholder blog

“Crypto assets are a new asset class that requires new valuation frameworks. You cannot simply apply equity metrics.”

— Cryptoassets book

Recent Writing

Rate of Return on Everythingessay

Historical returns analysis shows crypto as the highest-performing asset class over the last decade.

On Value Capture and Token Economicsblog

Framework for understanding token value accrual

Placeholder Thesis: Protocols as Emerging Economiesblog

Crypto protocols function like emerging digital economies with their own monetary policies.

Crypto Valuationsblog

Framework for valuing crypto assets using network value metrics

Cryptonetwork Governance as Capitalblog

Governance participation in crypto networks is a form of productive capital.

Podcast Appearances

Bear Market Investing — Bankless
bear marketinvestingcycles
Crypto Mega Theses — Bankless
crypto valuationsfat protocolsnetwork value
Protocols as Economies — Unchained
protocol economicsgovernancePlaceholder thesis

Placeholder VC Portfolio

Top Sectors

DeFi7
L1/L23
NFT/Gaming2
Infrastructure2
Wallet1

Stage Distribution

Early8
Seed7
Series A1
Token1
DecredL1/L2
Early$5.0M
Zcash (Electric Coin Company)L1/L2
Early$5.0M
BalancerDeFi
Seed$2.0M
ZerionWallet
Seed$2.0M
Mario.xyz (formerly Treasure)NFT/Gaming
Seed$2.0M
LidoDeFi
Early$50.0M
InstadappDeFi
Seed$2.0M
Polkadot (Web3 Foundation)L1/L2
Early$5.0M
UMADeFi
Seed$2.0M
EclipseLayer 2
Series A$50.0M

+ 7 more investments. View fund →

← Full profile@cburniskeLinkedInPlaceholder VC website