{"id":"jacob-phillips","title":"Jacob Phillips","content":"**Jacob Phillips** is the co-founder of [Lombard Finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/lombard-finance), a financial technology company specializing in [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-based liquidity solutions for [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin). His career spans roles in traditional finance, [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) investment, and [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) (DeFi). [[2]](#cite-id-Km1c9vXG17) [[3]](#cite-id-7b3SA5sGSI)\n\n### **Education**\n\nPhillips holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Computer Science from the Case Western Reserve University (2015–2019), which included a professional placement year. [[2]](#cite-id-Km1c9vXG17) [[3]](#cite-id-7b3SA5sGSI)\n\n### **Career**\n\nPhillips’ career began during his studies with the founding of Cicero Capital LLC (December 2015 – December 2017), a student-run mock hedge fund involving members from three universities. The initiative focused on simulated investments, including positions in sectors such as oil exploration and production, which served as a basis for later involvement in [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi).\n\nHe subsequently held internships at KeyBanc Capital Markets (May–August 2017) in Debt Capital Markets and Modern Woodmen of America (June–August 2016), where he analyzed a $6 billion corporate bond portfolio. Additional early roles included research positions at New Heights Research (September–December 2016) and Rothschild & Co (May–August 2018), where he contributed to equity and debt advisory projects.\n\nIn 2018, Phillips transitioned into [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) and venture capital. He worked as a Venture Analyst at Flashstarts, Inc. (September 2018 – May 2019), an accelerator supporting early-stage blockchain ventures. Later, as a Summer Analyst at Limitless Crypto Investments (June–August 2019), he focused on infrastructure projects within [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) venture capital.\n\nFrom December 2019 to September 2022, Phillips held multiple roles at [Polychain Capital](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polychain-capital), beginning as a Research Intern and advancing to Partner and Investor. His work included evaluating [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) protocols and [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) (DeFi) projects.\n\nIn October 2022, he joined Perennial Labs as Head of Product & Strategy, contributing to the development of decentralized perpetual trading protocols until May 2024.\n\nPhillips co-founded [Lombard Finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/lombard-finance) in April 2024, where he focuses on integrating [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) into [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi). The platform allows Bitcoin holders to use their holdings as collateral without requiring wrapped tokens, addressing counterparty risks in cross-chain transactions.\n\nPhillips serves as an advisor to [Ora Protocol,](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ora-protocol) a decentralized [oracle](https://iq.wiki/wiki/oracle) network. He has participated in industry discussions, including a 2023 appearance on Blockcast, where he addressed technical and regulatory developments in Bitcoin DeFi. [[1]](#cite-id-0GyV9JOh85) [[2]](#cite-id-Km1c9vXG17) [[3]](#cite-id-7b3SA5sGSI) [[4]](#cite-id-lPTPRIYBCK) [[5]](#cite-id-Ki9A4RoLKt) [[6]](#cite-id-GaQKoajgjJ) [[7]](#cite-id-1ttZWgeIYU) [[8]](#cite-id-wz3HWmtEhE) [[9]](#cite-id-iSEOa0t5kb) [[10]](#cite-id-hoAumZP8rO) [[11]](#cite-id-m36ywUq6Sa)\n\n## Interviews\n\n#### **Staking Rewards Podcast #01**\n\nIn a February 2025 interview on the Staking Rewards podcast hosted by Mirle, Jacob Phillips discussed the evolving role of [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) in [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) (DeFi). Phillips highlighted the growing adoption of Bitcoin [liquid staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/liquid-staking) platforms, such as Babylon, which aim to integrate Bitcoin into yield-generating protocols. According to Phillips, Bitcoin’s historical underutilization in DeFi presents opportunities for innovation, particularly in enabling holders to use Bitcoin as collateral without relying on custodial intermediaries.\n\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yJAIqRH5Cc)$$\n\nHe emphasized the importance of prioritizing technical risk mitigation over credit risk models to attract institutional participation, citing [Lombard’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/lombard-finance) decentralized validator framework (the Lombard Ledger) as a mechanism to balance security with user autonomy. Phillips noted that Lombard’s collaboration with Babylon seeks to address fragmented liquidity while maintaining Bitcoin’s non-custodial principles. When asked about adoption metrics, he referenced Lombard’s milestone of 23,000 BTC staked as indicative of demand for Bitcoin-native DeFi solutions.\n\nPhillips concluded by reiterating his view that Bitcoin’s future in finance hinges on decentralized, trust-minimized systems that preserve its core properties while expanding its utility beyond passive storage. [[12]](#cite-id-dZBFV6tbMN)\n\n#### **The Index Podcast #02**\n\nIn a January 2025 interview on The Index hosted by Alex Kahaya, Jacob Phillips detailed [Lombard’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/lombard-finance) approach to integrating [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) into [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) (DeFi). Phillips recounted his transition from traditional finance and politics to [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency), citing [blockchain’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) potential to create systemic financial change. According to Phillips, his work at [Polychain Capital](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polychain-capital) informed his focus on Bitcoin’s underutilized role in DeFi, leading to the creation of Lombard.\n\n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUa19ryRaGI)$$\n\nHe outlined Lombard’s objective to enable [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) holders to [stake](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking) their assets while retaining liquidity through Babylon, a protocol leveraging timestamping mechanisms and slashing conditions to enforce non-custodial staking. Phillips emphasized that liquid Bitcoin tokens (LBTC) could facilitate cross-chain transactions, particularly on networks like [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana), while preserving Bitcoin’s security.\n\nWhen discussing adoption, Phillips stressed the need for user-friendly interfaces to attract non-technical users, noting that simplified protocols could bridge gaps between traditional finance and [DeFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi). He also highlighted Lombard’s semi-non-custodial model, which balances decentralized oversight with institutional-grade security requirements.\n\nPhillips concluded by reiterating his belief that Bitcoin’s programmable capabilities, combined with decentralized infrastructure, position it as a cornerstone for trust-minimized financial systems. 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