{"id":"matthew-liu","title":"Matthew Liu","content":"**Matthew Liu** is a technology entrepreneur and product executive with experience in online media, e-commerce, [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) infrastructure, and [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi). He is the co-founder of [Origin Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-protocol), where he works on [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-based products for [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets), [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft), and [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi). [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-GeOfSbWsFinM3ZKh) \n\n## Education\n\nLou graduated from Stanford University with a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MS in Management Science and Engineering in 2005. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-5GYv70hn7oKzUtr9) \n\n## Career\n\nLiu began his career in product management at YouTube in 2006, shortly before the company’s acquisition by Google. As one of the early product managers at YouTube, he worked on products related to user engagement, video distribution, and partnerships with music, television, and film companies. Following the acquisition, he continued working across YouTube and Google through 2010, focusing on monetization products and international product launches. In 2011, Liu joined Qwiki as vice president of product management, overseeing product development for multimedia and interactive content creation tools before the company’s acquisition by Yahoo. From 2012 to 2013, he served as vice president of product management at Bonobos in Palo Alto, helping develop the company’s internal e-commerce platform before the retailer was later acquired by Walmart.\n\nIn 2013, Liu co-founded Unicycle Labs in San Francisco, where he worked on multiple startup products across e-commerce, transportation, travel, and local services. The company developed applications for the Shopify ecosystem and also experimented with ride-sharing comparison tools and other consumer technology products. In late 2016, he co-founded PriceSlash, a consumer-focused platform that aims to reduce recurring household service expenses, such as telecommunications and security bills. The company was later acquired by BillShark in 2018. Since 2017, Liu has served as a co-founder of [Origin Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-protocol), a [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) and [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) company developing products for [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets), [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) infrastructure, [stablecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin), and tokenized internet applications. During the same period, he also worked as an angel investor and advisor at Unfair Advantage, participating in early-stage investments and providing advisory services in [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain), artificial intelligence, robotics, [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets), and technology startups. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-Rn8dIzN34oKivXXi) \n\n## Interviews\n\n### Changing NFT with AI\n\nIn a May 2023 interview on *The Crypto Mavericks* podcast, Liu discussed the development of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) infrastructure, [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft), [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi), and the growing relationship between artificial intelligence and [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets). He reflected on his transition from working at YouTube into the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry and described the evolution of [Origin Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-protocol) since its founding in 2017. Liu explained that [Origin Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-protocol) initially focused on decentralized marketplace infrastructure before expanding into [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) platforms and [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) products as the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) ecosystem evolved. He stated that [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) were likely to expand beyond digital artwork into broader applications, including gaming, digital identity, tokenized assets, event access, and other forms of digital ownership and authentication.\n\nThe discussion also addressed the usability, interoperability, and security standards of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain), particularly in relation to [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) protocols and consumer-facing [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) applications. Liu noted the importance of creating products that reduced technical complexity while maintaining compatibility across different [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) ecosystems and standards. A significant portion of the interview focused on artificial intelligence and its potential interaction with [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) systems. Liu discussed how AI tools could influence creator workflows, automation systems, and digital economies, including the possibility of autonomous software agents using [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-based payment infrastructure. He also examined regulatory considerations, open-source development models, and community governance as factors affecting long-term [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) adoption and ecosystem growth. [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-jFjInIX1r8Ad2PCc) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=qKIc7V_gJvs)\n\n### Mass Adoption of NFTs & DeFi\n\nIn a March 2023 interview on the [Frictionless](https://iq.wiki/wiki/frictionless) Podcast, Liu discussed his transition from product management in the technology sector to [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) and [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) development. He described becoming involved with [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) in the mid-2010s and noted the technical limitations and early-stage infrastructure challenges present within the ecosystem at that time. Liu explained that his work in the [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) sector initially focused on [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) trading and [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft)-related projects before co-founding [Origin Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-protocol) in 2017. He stated that the company originally focused on decentralized peer-to-peer commerce infrastructure before later expanding into [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft), [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) products, and tokenized [real-world asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/real-world-assets-rwas) applications, including experiments involving digital ownership and real estate-related use cases.\n\nThe interview also covered market cycles within the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry, with Liu discussing operational strategies used by [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) startups during periods of reduced market activity. He described [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) as a broader technological framework capable of representing a range of [digital](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) and physical assets, including gaming items and tokenized goods, rather than being limited to digital artwork. Additional topics included [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) scalability, multi-chain ecosystems, community participation, and token-based incentive systems. Liu discussed projects such as [Arbitrum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/arbitrum) and [EigenLayer](https://iq.wiki/wiki/eigenlayer) in the context of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) infrastructure and security coordination, while also criticizing projects that relied heavily on short-term token speculation or lacked sustained product development. The conversation concluded with a discussion around the continued expansion of [NFTs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft), decentralized commerce infrastructure, and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) interoperability across multiple networks. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-7OXnaeFg2lDxeZQw) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=ju7Qs-0Ij_Q)\n\n### Origin Protocol\n\nIn a [Bitfinex](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitfinex) interview in February 2023, Liu discussed the evolution and scope of the [Origin Protocol](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-protocol) since its 2017 inception, highlighting its focus on building infrastructure for diverse [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) ecosystems and decentralized commerce. He explained that [Origin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-protocol) operates through two main units: Origin Story, which focuses on [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) marketplaces and has its native token OGN, and [Origin Dollar (OUSD)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-dollar), a yield-bearing [stablecoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin) backed by real [collateral](https://iq.wiki/wiki/collateral) like [USDT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tether), [USDC](https://iq.wiki/wiki/usdc), and [DAI](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dai), offering higher yields through [DeFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) strategies. Liu emphasized that their technology enables tailored [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) use cases, such as real estate transactions, celebrity access, and branded marketplaces, differentiating them from generic platforms like OpenSea by providing customizable, compliance-aware solutions. He highlighted success stories involving community-driven projects, celebrity collaborations, and innovative [real-world asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/real-world-assets-rwas) [tokenizations](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tokenization), including real estate, with a commitment to long-term value building. He addressed the safety of [OUSD](https://iq.wiki/wiki/origin-dollar) compared to algorithmic [stablecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin), underscoring its backing by established assets and collateralization, thus reducing risk. Liu also shed light on [tokenomics](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tokenomics), noting the utility and governance functions of OGN and OGV tokens within the ecosystem. Looking ahead, he expressed optimism about a market recovery that will fuel [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) utility and real-world asset tokenization, and encouraged community participation through their channels and on social media. Overall, Liu conveyed a strong commitment to long-term development, community engagement, and technological innovation in [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3). [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-5TfFzJWCjiVVCCfJ) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=_keWx9KI9qg)\n\n## Panels\n\n### Building Infrastructure for Web3\n\nDuring the Sora Summit 2023, panelists discussed the current state of [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) infrastructure and its future challenges. Panelists included Liu, [Jun Liu](https://iq.wiki/wiki/jun-liu), Sayan Ray, Anthony Wang, and moderator Timmy Shen. They acknowledged that [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) infrastructure was still in its early stages, with ongoing developments across layers such as [Layer 1](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-1) and [Layer 2](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-2) chains, decentralized data storage, and secure wallets. The panelists emphasized the importance of enhancing security, interoperability, scalability, and user experience to drive mass adoption. They highlighted the need for decentralized, permissionless systems, improved privacy tools, and user education to help newcomers bridge the gap. Innovations like intent-centric architectures, RFQ protocols, and [zero-knowledge proofs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/zero-knowledge-proofs-zkps) were seen as vital to advancing [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) functionality. Looking ahead, they believed tokenization of real-world assets, security enhancements, interoperability solutions, and the integration of AI with [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) would be the defining trends. Overall, the consensus was that although significant progress had been made, there was still much work to be done to create a more secure, accessible, and interconnected [Web3](https://iq.wiki/wiki/web3) ecosystem. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-abd2Y4zKfe6tfq0Q) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=KT2dSue53G8)","summary":"Matthew Liu is a tech entrepreneur and product executive, co-founder of Origin Protocol. He previously held product roles at YouTube, Qwiki, and Bonobos, and focuses on NFTs, DeFi, and tokenized assets. 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