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Vasily Nikonov
Founder & CEO at Velvet.Capital (DeFi) | INSEADer, BCGer
Professional Background
Vasily Nikonov is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and expert in the field of decentralized finance (DeFi). He is currently the founder and CEO of Velvet.Capital, where he is at the forefront of developing an Intent Operating System designed specifically for DeFi. This innovative platform aims to streamline the management of crypto portfolios and enhance social trading capabilities. Additionally, Velvet.Capital provides valuable "DeFi-as-a-Service" to a broad range of financial institutions, including crypto projects, asset managers, hedge funds, family offices, and other entities eager to explore the Web3 ecosystem.
Prior to his venture with Velvet.Capital, Vasily was instrumental in the growth of blockchain startups as a Venture Builder at Longhash Ventures in Singapore. This organization is recognized as one of the pioneering Web3-native venture capital firms. During his time there, Vasily played a crucial role in incubating and investing in several transformative blockchain and crypto startups, such as Astar Network and Xanpool, positioning himself as a thought leader in the rapidly evolving crypto landscape.
Vasily's extensive experience also includes his tenure as a Project Leader at the renowned Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in New York City. Here, he spearheaded the launch of innovative fintech ventures and was pivotal in developing digital products for various high-profile clients across multiple sectors, including technology, wealth management, banking, insurance, private equity, and payments. His work at BCG not only enhanced his strategic thinking abilities but also equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the financial industry's dynamics and consumer needs.
Education and Achievements
Vasily Nikonov has an impressive academic background that underscores his dedication to intellectual excellence and understanding of complex systems. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at both The Wharton School and INSEAD, two world-renowned institutions known for their rigorous business programs and innovative teaching methodologies. At INSEAD, Vasily was actively involved in leadership roles, notably as Vice President of the Entrepreneurship Club and Vice President of the Fintech and Blockchain Club, forging a profound connection with budding entrepreneurs and industry experts alike.
His foundational studies include a Master of Science (MS) in Applied Mathematics and Physics from the prestigious Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), showcasing his analytical prowess and technical knowledge. This was complemented by a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in similar fields from the same esteemed institution, solidifying his strong base in both mathematics and physics, which he adeptly applies to his ventures in the fintech and blockchain realms.
Vasily's robust educational background and experience have positioned him to effectively translate complex mathematical and physical concepts into practical applications in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency and decentralized finance. His journey from academia to industry leadership exemplifies a commitment to continuous learning and evolution in his professional path.
Achievements
Vasily Nikonov's career is marked by numerous noteworthy achievements that reflect his passion for fostering innovation and facilitating financial technology growth. As the founder and CEO of Velvet.Capital, he has been directly involved in transforming the way investors navigate the DeFi landscape, thereby promoting accessibility and efficiency in portfolio management.
During his impactful tenure at Longhash Ventures, Vasily not only participated in the investment processes of several groundbreaking projects but also contributed to the ecosystem's growth by supporting startups that aim to revolutionize traditional financial systems through blockchain technology.
At BCG, Vasily's leadership and creativity were instrumental in successfully launching various fintech ventures. His ability to align complex strategies with market needs has led to the development of digital products that not only meet client expectations but also set new benchmarks in the industry. His keen insight into consumer behavior and technological advancements positioned him as a trusted advisor for financial institutions navigating the digital transformation landscape.
In addition, Vasily's involvement in student-led initiatives at INSEAD illustrates his commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs in the tech and financial sectors. His leadership roles within the Entrepreneurship and Fintech Clubs align with his belief in collaboration and mentorship as vital components of growth within the startup ecosystem.
Overall, Vasily Nikonov's combination of entrepreneurial spirit, extensive experience in venture building, and strong educational foundation makes him a distinguished figure in the fields of DeFi, fintech, and bl
Highlights
We are excited to announce our public launch on Base 🔵, following a successful private testing phase, two security audits, and a white hat competition.
At Velvet Capital, we streamline onchain portfolio management and social trading with our Intent Operating System for DeFi:
- Trade any token via a smart execution engine
- Access top DeFi protocols in one click
- Explore & join other people's portfolios
We combine best-in-class trade execution with a DeFi social layer!
Check it out below & keep reading to learn more about what you can do with the new app on Base
There are three main use cases for Velvet:
Personal Vault: Create a personal vault and manage your portfolio. Trade any token (one-to-one and many-to-many) without getting front-run. Use multiple DeFi protocols within your strategy to generate additional yield and seamlessly hop between them in a single click. -> Ideal for crypto-native or crypto-curious users who want to be in control.
Private or Open Vault: Create a vault and bring your community to join it. Either allow only whitelisted wallets to deposit or open it up to everyone. Your followers will get the same execution price as you and avoid getting front-run. -> Ideal for public traders, private trading groups, investment DAOs, and KOLs/influencers who want to nurture their community and build a track record.
Custom App: Spin off an app under your branding to preserve direct client relationships. Instead of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and months on development, you can use our out-of-the-box stack. -> Ideal for crypto and fintech projects, hedge funds, and asset managers who want to launch DeFi products for their clients.
The secret sauce that makes Velvet Capital extremely flexible and versatile is its intent-based architecture:
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Onchain smart contract infrastructure is based on the Safe standard, an industry-proven vault with over $100B+ funds secured.
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DeFi execution engine pulls liquidity from multiple public pools, private market makers, solvers, and other sources of liquidity to ensure the best execution price and protect from MEV front-running and sandwich attacks.
These two parts work in tandem to ensure a high level of sovereignty and security while enabling flexibility to access the newest tokens and the latest protocols.
The new app on Base features a streamlined UI where you can trade alongside crypto natives, KOLs, and fund managers.
There are many different types of vaults, including single asset, DeFi pools, passive vaults, and active trading strategies.
Start trading & yield farming on Velvet today
In Amsterdam for a week, who should I meet?
