In this exclusive interview, Roc Zacharias, CEO and co-founder of Layer-2 DEX QuickSwap, reflects on his unconventional journey as a Web3 founder. After leaving a doctoral program inspired by the Bitcoin whitepaper, Roc recounts how Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal introduced him to the idea that eventually became QuickSwap.
He explains why he turned down multimillion-dollar investment offers from firms such as Lightspeed, Coinbase Ventures, and Mark Cuban, choosing decentralization over venture capital.
According to Roc, avoiding VC influence allowed QuickSwap to remain truly permissionless, with no external pressure to extract value from users.
He underscores the importance of social capital and community trust, warning founders that reputation is fragile and must be earned. Roc also views the improving U.S. regulatory climate as a positive signal for crypto’s future.
Looking ahead, he stresses resilience, longevity, and sustainable revenue as essential for founders navigating the market’s volatility.
