Naval’s $500 VC fund, the Maduro Polymarket scandal, and NYT defends theft and murder | E2280

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  April 25, 2026 at 17:55  |  50:21  |  This Week in Startups
Speakers
Jason Calacanis — Angel Investor / Founder, LAUNCH

Summary

Jason Calacanis discusses AngelList's new USVC fund for retail venture investing, a soldier's insider betting on the Maduro raid, and a controversial NYT podcast. He defends USVC, criticizes looting normalization, and advocates for direct crypto investments and financial literacy for kids.

  • AngelList launches USVC fund with $500 minimum for non-accredited investors.
  • Jason defends USVC as a positive innovation for liquidity.
  • A U.S. soldier made $409K betting on Maduro raid using classified info.
  • Jason and Trump both approve of betting on your own team.
  • Jason criticizes NYT podcast for defending shoplifting and murder.
  • He advises buying Bitcoin or other crypto directly rather than complex vehicles.
  • He promotes teaching kids financial literacy through clubs or apps.
Trade Ideas
Jason Calacanis Angel Investor / Founder, LAUNCH 3:38
USVC is a positive innovation for liquidity.
The USVC fund is a brilliant innovation that increases liquidity for founders and investors by allowing non-accredited retail investors to access private pre-IPO companies through a closed-end fund with a $500 minimum. It provides a new avenue for capital movement and is a positive development for the economy.
USVC LOW
Jason Calacanis Angel Investor / Founder, LAUNCH 11:20
Buy Bitcoin directly rather than complex vehicles.
Instead of using complex vehicles like MicroStrategy to gain Bitcoin exposure, investors should buy Bitcoin directly. He also mentions Solana and Tao as direct alternatives, emphasizing simplicity and understanding over complicated structures.
BTC SOL TAO MED
Jason Calacanis Angel Investor / Founder, LAUNCH 11:20
MicroStrategy is too confusing; avoid it.
MicroStrategy's structure is too confusing and complicated to invest in. He explicitly says he is not buying it and prefers simpler direct exposure to Bitcoin.
MSTR LOW
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This This Week in Startups video, published April 25, 2026, features Jason Calacanis discussing USVC, BTC, SOL, TAO, MSTR. 3 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Jason Calacanis  · Tickers: USVC, BTC, SOL, TAO, MSTR