To show that a new money idea is trustworthy using the 'social proof' rule, what kind of outside praise or success story works best to convince smart people?

To show that a new money idea is trustworthy using the 'social proof' rule, the most effective kind of outside praise or success story for convincing smart people is validation from highly credible, independent, and relevant expert authorities or established institutions. Social proof refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals observe the actions and decisions of others to determine what is correct or desirable behavior. For 'smart people', who are typically analytical, skeptical, and evidence-driven, broad popularity or celebrity endorsements are insufficient to establish trustworthiness in a financial context. Instead, they require robust, objective evidence from sources they perceive as authoritative and unbiased. This includes public endorsement, integration, or demonstrable partnership by reputable financial analysts with a track record of objective assessment, recognized academic researchers in fields such as economics, computer science, or finance from esteemed universities, or well-established, regulated financial institutions. For example, a peer-reviewed academic paper validating the underlying technology or economic model of the new money idea, an independent third-party audit confirming its security protocols and financial integrity, or the adoption and successful deployment of the new money idea by a major, trusted bank or investment firm would carry significant weight. Furthermore, evidence of verifiable success and positive outcomes among a cohort of other discerning, successful, or technically proficient early adopters provides powerful peer-level social proof, but these successes must be substantiated by objective data or confirmed by independent parties rather than mere anecdotal testimonials, to satisfy a smart person's demand for factual, evidence-based assessment.