• merc@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      Here’s a counter-example that proves the rule:

      • Born in 1992
      • Graduated from MIT in 2014 at 22
      • Joins a proprietary trading firm after graduation
      • Founds a quantitative trading firm in 2017 at age 25
      • Founds a cryptocurrency exchange in 2019 at 27
      • On the 2021 Forbes “30 under 30” list at 29, and is recognized as a billionaire
      • Found guilty of wire fraud and conspiracy in 2023
      • Currently in prison

      Sam Bankman-Fried got to $1b before 30, and he didn’t inherit his wealth (but he certainly started with a lot more wealth than most people). But, the way he managed to hit $1b before 30 was via massive fraud. Without massive fraud, I don’t know how you go from an entry level job at 22 to $1b just 8 years later.