Daniel Kim’s journey from the world of traditional finance to the cutting-edge field of decentralized finance (DeFi) is a testament to his adaptability and vision. As a former banker, he has successfully transitioned into the dynamic world of crypto, leading Maple Finance and co-founding Volta. His efforts are centered on enhancing institutional lending and security in the blockchain industry.
Kim cut his teeth in traditional finance, working in prominent financial institutions such as BNP Paribas and State Street, where he honed his skills in fixed income capital markets. However, he found the traditional financial procedures to be overly slow and inflexible. This led him to explore the burgeoning crypto space, where he began to see the potential beyond the confines of conventional banking.
In 2016, Kim took a significant leap of faith, leaving the comforts of banking to join Gemini Exchange, a crypto exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins. At Gemini, he was responsible for developing services for institutional clients, mainly concerning digital asset trading and custody. This move opened up new opportunities, leading him to join itBit (now Paxos), where he played a critical role in securing its New York Trust Charter, which allowed itBit to operate as a regulated financial entity.
However, Kim’s ambition extended beyond merely participating in the crypto boom; he aimed to make a tangible impact on the financial landscape. This led him to join Maple Finance as Head of Capital Markets in 2021. Maple Finance is a unique DeFi platform where institutions can obtain crypto loans without collateral, a significant departure from most lending platforms that require substantial collateral.
Under Kim’s leadership, Maple Finance has continued to grow. A notable achievement has been its expansion to the Solana blockchain following the acquisition of Avari, a lending system based on Solana. This move has allowed Maple Finance to broaden its services, assisting more projects in the burgeoning blockchain ecosystem.
Kim’s zeal for innovation didn’t stop at Maple Finance. He co-founded Volta Circuit in 2024 with former SFOX CTO George Melika. Leveraging non-custodial multi-signature technology, Volta aims to enhance the security of digital assets for institutional investors. They have managed to raise $4.1 million in seed funding to further develop their technology.
Currently, Kim is focused on the evolving role of Bitcoin in the DeFi ecosystem. He believes that more lending platforms will begin to use Bitcoin derivatives as collateral, thereby creating more opportunities for institutional investors. He also sees potential in Lightning Bitcoin (LBTC) to reduce counterparty risk and boost liquidity. If this trend continues, Bitcoin could become increasingly significant in the blockchain-based financial system.
Through his roles at Maple Finance and Volta, Daniel Kim is not only riding the wave of the crypto revolution but actively shaping it. His journey serves as a compelling example of how traditional finance professionals can successfully transition to the rapidly evolving world of blockchain and DeFi.
