{"id":"kyle-samani","title":"Kyle Samani","content":"**Kyle Samani** is an American investor and entrepreneur known for co-founding the cryptocurrency-focused investment firm Multicoin Capital. He is a prominent advocate for the [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) ecosystem and, as of September 2025, serves as the Chairman of Forward Industries. In February 2026, he stepped down from his role as Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital after nearly a decade with the firm. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-GmAMwdYDbmxg7wf4) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-YNen6cR04MYpi5mf)​\n\n## Education\n\nKyle Samani earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, where he studied from 2008 to 2012.  [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-TwZdAxpLcYFePr61) \n\n## Career\n\n### Entry into Crypto and Founding of Multicoin Capital\n\nSamani entered the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry in 2016 through [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum), which he later stated was his \"first meaningful source of wealth.\" In 2017, he co-founded Multicoin Capital with Tushar Jain. The firm was established as a thesis-driven investment vehicle dedicated exclusively to the crypto ecosystem. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-GmAMwdYDbmxg7wf4)​\n\n### Multicoin Capital\n\nAs Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Samani led Multicoin Capital from its inception in 2017 until early 2026. The firm, which has a global footprint, grew to manage several billion dollars in assets across both hedge funds and venture funds. Multicoin's strategy involves investing in both early-stage projects through its venture arm and liquid tokens through its hedge fund. The firm's Limited Partners (LPs) include a diverse group of institutional investors, such as university endowments, fund of funds, prominent technology investors, venture capital funds, and family offices. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-TwZdAxpLcYFePr61) [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-GmAMwdYDbmxg7wf4)​\n\nUnder Samani's leadership, Multicoin became known for making early, thesis-driven investments in projects before they gained widespread recognition. Notable early investments include [Helium](https://iq.wiki/wiki/helium) and [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana). The firm began investing in [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) in May 2018 and became one of its most vocal long-term supporters. A key part of Multicoin's strategy involved publishing detailed investment theses to the public; by January 2025, the firm had released five major theses on [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana), with the most recent titled \"The [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) Thesis: Internet Capital Markets.\" [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-YNen6cR04MYpi5mf) [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-GmAMwdYDbmxg7wf4)​\n\n### Departure from Multicoin Capital\n\nOn February 4, 2026, Samani announced via a post on the social media platform X that he was stepping down from his role as Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital. He stated that he planned to take time off and \"pursue other areas of tech.\" In his announcement, Samani reflected on his tenure, stating, \"It's a bittersweet moment for me because my time at Multicoin has been some of the most meaningful and rewarding of my life.\" He also expressed continued confidence in the [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry's future, writing, \"I’m more confident than ever that [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) is going to fundamentally rewire the circuitry of finance.\" [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-GmAMwdYDbmxg7wf4) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-LL16uAaEL7H1a6pv)​\n\nFollowing his departure, day-to-day operations at Multicoin Capital were taken over by his co-founder, Managing Partner Tushar Jain, and CFO/COO Brian Smith. The firm did not announce a direct replacement for Samani. Upon leaving, Samani requested an in-kind redemption in Forward Industries shares and warrants from the Multicoin Master Fund, maintaining his connection to the Solana-focused company. He noted that while he was stepping away from a professional role in the industry, he would continue to make personal investments in the crypto space. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-GmAMwdYDbmxg7wf4)​","summary":"Kyle Samani is the Co-Founder and former Managing Partner of Multicoin Capital. He is a prominent advocate for the Solana ecosystem and currently serves as Chairman of Forward Industries.","images":[{"id":"QmYd3djZYCtGacuZ3vy18pB7Yv36eDhK9pBAzMnotttfP1","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"},{"id":"Founders"},{"id":"Venture"},{"id":"Solana"}],"media":[],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"GmAMwdYDbmxg7wf4\",\"description\":\"CoinDesk - Multicoin Capital co-founder Kyle Samani steps down after nearly a decade to pursue other areas of tech\",\"timestamp\":1770528995235,\"url\":\"https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/04/multicoin-co-founder-kyle-samani-steps-down-after-nearly-a-decade-to-pursue-other-areas-of-tech\"},{\"id\":\"YNen6cR04MYpi5mf\",\"description\":\"Kyle Samani's Official X Profile\",\"timestamp\":1770529009901,\"url\":\"https://x.com/KyleSamani\"},{\"id\":\"TwZdAxpLcYFePr61\",\"description\":\"LinkedIn: Kyle Samani\",\"timestamp\":1770528977451,\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesamani/\"},{\"id\":\"LL16uAaEL7H1a6pv\",\"description\":\"The Block - Multicoin founder Kyle Samani steps back from investment firm, will continue to advocate for Solana\",\"timestamp\":1770529024819,\"url\":\"https://www.theblock.co/post/388561/multicoin-founder-kyle-samani-steps-back-vc-firm-continue-advocate-solana\"}]"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/KyleSamani"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesamani/"},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Added Kyle Samani wiki page\""}],"events":[{"id":"82997689-3fb2-45d5-89d8-44148128e9ed","date":"2017-01","title":"Co-founded Multicoin Capital","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Kyle Samani co-founded Multicoin Capital, a thesis-driven investment firm focused exclusively on the crypto ecosystem.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"dfade302-97f2-49bd-b8bb-dc6863491fac","date":"2025-09","title":"Became Chairman of Forward Industries","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Samani was appointed Chairman of Forward Industries following the closure of a $1.65B PIPE financing round.","link":null,"multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"8de93f37-6474-4f3a-ac6b-546446634717","date":"2026-02","title":"Stepped Down from Multicoin Capital","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Samani stepped down from his role as Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital to pursue other areas of tech.","link":"https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/02/04/multicoin-co-founder-kyle-samani-steps-down-after-nearly-a-decade-to-pursue-other-areas-of-tech","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"operator":{"id":"0x4a2bC97afBF41a2Cbf4b4628F63420682Ff4CF2a"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]}}