From Blackstone to Building Crypto's Leading M&A Firm - JP Grabs, Areta
Fri Feb 06 2026
Episode 10 of Builder's Diary is live. In this conversation, host Juri Maibaum sits down with JP Grabs, Founding Partner at Areta, to explore the world of M&A in crypto through the lens of discipline, ambition, and long-term thinking. From growing up in Germany to studying in Europe's top finance universities in Frankfurt and St. Gallen, to building a career across BCG, Barclays, Partners Group, and Blackstone, JP followed a path shaped by precision and persistence. At the height of traditional finance, he chose to step into uncertainty and help build a new frontier by launching what became crypto's most successful M&A bank: Areta.
In this episode talk about: • The mindset behind leaving elite private equity to start something new • The balance between security and conviction in career decisions • How institutions may shape the next phase of crypto markets • How crypto M&A differs from traditional dealmaking A calm, honest look at risk, opportunity, and the quiet decisions that change a life.
DISCLAIMER
All information presented in this podcast is meant for informational purposes only and should not be treated as financial, legal, or tax advice. This podcast's content solely reflects the producer's opinion, who is not a financial advisor. Investing in cryptocurrencies is risky.
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Episode 10 of Builder's Diary is live. In this conversation, host Juri Maibaum sits down with JP Grabs, Founding Partner at Areta, to explore the world of M&A in crypto through the lens of discipline, ambition, and long-term thinking. From growing up in Germany to studying in Europe's top finance universities in Frankfurt and St. Gallen, to building a career across BCG, Barclays, Partners Group, and Blackstone, JP followed a path shaped by precision and persistence. At the height of traditional finance, he chose to step into uncertainty and help build a new frontier by launching what became crypto's most successful M&A bank: Areta. In this episode talk about: • The mindset behind leaving elite private equity to start something new • The balance between security and conviction in career decisions • How institutions may shape the next phase of crypto markets • How crypto M&A differs from traditional dealmaking A calm, honest look at risk, opportunity, and the quiet decisions that change a life. DISCLAIMER All information presented in this podcast is meant for informational purposes only and should not be treated as financial, legal, or tax advice. This podcast's content solely reflects the producer's opinion, who is not a financial advisor. Investing in cryptocurrencies is risky.