{"id":"jason-kam","title":"Jason Kam","content":"**Jason Kam** is an investor and the founder of Folius Ventures, a cryptocurrency-focused investment firm established in 2021. Before moving into [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency), he worked in investment banking, investment analysis, and emerging-market investing, with a particular focus on China-related companies. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-zJbdGQyXXIrM3LvY) \n\n## Education\n\nKam graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BS in Computational Finance in 2012. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-0QJHh5v3TlxRSLnZ) \n\n## Career\n\nKam began his career as a Special Situations Desk Analyst at Deutsche Bank in New York from March 2013 to September 2014. He worked on the bank's special situations desk, gaining experience in financial markets and investment analysis before moving into buy-side investing. From September 2014 to August 2016, Kam was an Investment Analyst at Standard Investments in New York. He subsequently joined Briarwood Chase Management, where he served as Greater China Director from September 2016 to May 2021. During his time there, he focused primarily on secondary small-cap companies in emerging markets, with a particular emphasis on China-related companies and extensive research into the region.\n\nKam's interest in [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) began during the 2018 bear market, when he began publishing anonymous [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) analysis under the Twitter account , applying concepts and perspectives from traditional finance to the emerging market. His involvement expanded during the DeFi Summer period, and through industry relationships developed online, he was encouraged to move into the sector professionally. He left Briarwood Chase Management in May 2021 and founded Folius Ventures in September 2021, transitioning from traditional investment management to [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency)-focused venture investing. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-342w8W2dAtZQ3w00) [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-0QJHh5v3TlxRSLnZ) \n\n## Interviews\n\n### PayFi Fireside\n\nIn an October 2025 fireside chat with [Mable Jiang](https://iq.wiki/wiki/mable-jiang) of FSL at the PayFi Summit, Kam discussed token economics, capital allocation, tokenized assets, and applications of [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) in the creator economy. He argued that 100% token buybacks can be inefficient compared with reinvesting capital into business growth or distributing dividends, while noting that buybacks can also signal commitment to token holders, and suggested that clear KPIs could improve their effectiveness. Kam discussed the growing legitimacy of tokenized equities as regulatory frameworks develop, arguing that compliant structures could provide global liquidity, stronger investor protections, and new opportunities to combine traditional private-equity approaches with [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency)-native investment models. He also examined institutional participation in tokenized Treasury bills through [stablecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin) and its potential effects on cross-border dollar use, before turning to [tokenization](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tokenization) in live streaming, niche content, intellectual property, and the creator economy, where tokens could provide alternative monetization models and allow creators and communities to share in the value generated by audience engagement. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-5mPLQ8p5OT0p1qig) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](CqGIpq9v2a4)\n\n### Deciphering Crypto Alpha\n\nIn a September 2025 interview with [SoSoValue](https://iq.wiki/wiki/sosovalue), Kam discussed [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) market cycles, investment research, and the sectors he believed could sustain long-term growth. He argued that most altcoins tend to decline over time, while areas such as [DeFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) and exchange infrastructure could support longer-term growth as the market shifts away from hype-driven projects toward businesses with durable fundamentals. Kam described his transition from Wall Street to [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) investing, the creation of Folius Ventures, and the development of BidClub as a curated research community for sourcing early-stage investment ideas. He explained that his research process involves developing hypotheses from historical and logical analysis, gathering evidence through market research and conversations with company management, and monitoring specific catalysts that can confirm or invalidate an investment thesis. Kam identified strong management teams, demonstrable business value, and regulatory clarity as important characteristics for investments, particularly in exchanges, [stablecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin), and on-chain entertainment, and argued that high-FDV tokens without corresponding fundamentals were becoming less viable as the industry matured. He also emphasized that effective investment research should combine a clear narrative with supporting evidence and an underexplored insight, while avoiding unnecessary jargon and hype. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-4Mf54DcYe2EjPP4n) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](1YHK_MFPul0)","summary":"Jason Kam is an investor and the founder of Folius Ventures, a prominent crypto-focused investment firm. Known for his insights under the pseudonym @MapleLeafCap, Kam leverages his investment banking background to explore Web3 and DeFi opportunities.","images":[{"id":"QmQ5pMGQ8EVZC4XKJibnTeEoHrHuxQZ8RF27RbkhSi22o4","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"Founder"},{"id":"Investor"},{"id":"Researcher"},{"id":"Ethereum"}],"media":[{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqGIpq9v2a4","name":"CqGIpq9v2a4","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqGIpq9v2a4","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YHK_MFPul0","name":"1YHK_MFPul0","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YHK_MFPul0","source":"YOUTUBE"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[\n {\n \"id\": \"4Mf54DcYe2EjPP4n\",\n \"url\": \"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YHK\\\\_MFPul0\",\n \"description\": \"Deciphering Crypto Alpha Interview\",\n \"timestamp\": 1787057565483\n },\n {\n \"id\": \"342w8W2dAtZQ3w00\",\n \"url\": \"https://bitmedia.io/blog/folius-ventures-founder-interview\",\n \"description\": \"Bitmedia Interview\",\n \"timestamp\": 1787057565483\n },\n {\n \"id\": \"zJbdGQyXXIrM3LvY\",\n \"url\": \"https://www.folius.ventures/\",\n \"description\": \"Folius Ventures Official Site\",\n \"timestamp\": 1787057565483\n },\n {\n \"id\": \"0QJHh5v3TlxRSLnZ\",\n \"url\": \"https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-kam-35080625/\",\n \"description\": \"LinkedIn Profile\",\n \"timestamp\": 1787057565483\n },\n {\n \"id\": \"5mPLQ8p5OT0p1qig\",\n \"url\": \"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqGIpq9v2a4\",\n \"description\": \"PayFi Fireside Chat\",\n \"timestamp\": 1787057565483\n },\n {\n \"id\": \"rg73Km99HeJw6IVE\",\n \"url\": \"https://x.com/MapleLeafCap\",\n \"description\": \"Twitter Profile\",\n \"timestamp\": 1787057565483\n }\n]"},{"id":"website","value":"https://www.folius.ventures/"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/MapleLeafCap"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-kam-35080625/"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"\"https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmQ54djQYdodwgcvma24pLBSpjrSvwR8K29bixZEQRp2BH\""},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Updated content: added 14 hyperlinks and changed events (4 -> 4 items)\""},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmQ54djQYdodwgcvma24pLBSpjrSvwR8K29bixZEQRp2BH"}],"events":[{"id":"6f11aa84-e63e-44cd-be73-ea9c61930f08","date":"2021-09-01","title":"Founded Folius Ventures","type":"CREATED","description":"Transitioned from traditional investment management to crypto-focused venture investing.","link":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"cf5d7a8d-f45f-4818-81a7-fd0979a1a8aa","date":"2016-09-01","title":"Joined Briarwood Chase Management","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Worked as Greater China Director focusing on emerging markets and China-related opportunities.","link":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"b078f826-254e-4ac5-8cb7-af24327b74a8","date":"2012-01-01","title":"Graduated Carnegie Mellon University","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Awarded BS in Computational Finance, setting foundation for his career in finance.","link":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"f934343e-2c10-4764-91a9-730b9638b131","date":"2018-01-01","title":"Launched Twitter Account @MapleLeafCap","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Began publishing anonymous crypto analysis, contributing to his influence in the DeFi space.","link":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"operator":{"id":"0xacb6c5AD52b8f605299B0d774CE97F26e3DB80c2"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]},"recentActivity":"{\"items\":[{\"id\":\"799c40f3-439f-4ab6-af93-bb2ed25354e0\",\"title\":\"Jason Kam\",\"description\":\"Jason Kam is an investor and the founder of Folius Ventures, a prominent crypto-focused investment firm. Known for his insights under the pseudonym @MapleLeafCap, Kam leverages his investment banking background to explore Web3 and DeFi opportunities.\",\"timestamp\":\"2026-08-18T16:19:06.801Z\",\"category\":\"people\",\"status\":{\"icon\":\"RiGlobalLine\",\"label\":\"Wiki Updated\",\"iconClassName\":\"text-green-500\"},\"user\":{\"name\":\"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889\",\"address\":\"0xacb6c5AD52b8f605299B0d774CE97F26e3DB80c2\"},\"button\":{\"label\":\"View Summary\",\"icon\":\"RiFileTextLine\"},\"summarySections\":[{\"title\":\"Content\",\"subtitle\":\"Main article body updated with inline wiki links and minor text edits across sections (Education, Career, Interviews).\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":5,\"changes\":[\"Inserted internal wiki links for the terms 'crypto' / 'cryptocurrency' at multiple occurrences throughout the article [[3]](#cite-id-zJbdGQyXXIrM3LvY) [[4]](#cite-id-0QJHh5v3TlxRSLnZ) [[2]](#cite-id-342w8W2dAtZQ3w00) [[5]](#cite-id-5mPLQ8p5OT0p1qig) [[1]](#cite-id-4Mf54DcYe2EjPP4n)\",\"Added an internal wiki link for 'Mable Jiang' in the PayFi Fireside section [[3]](#cite-id-zJbdGQyXXIrM3LvY) [[4]](#cite-id-0QJHh5v3TlxRSLnZ) [[2]](#cite-id-342w8W2dAtZQ3w00) [[5]](#cite-id-5mPLQ8p5OT0p1qig) [[1]](#cite-id-4Mf54DcYe2EjPP4n)\",\"Added an internal wiki link for 'SoSoValue' in the Deciphering Crypto section [[3]](#cite-id-zJbdGQyXXIrM3LvY) [[4]](#cite-id-0QJHh5v3TlxRSLnZ) [[2]](#cite-id-342w8W2dAtZQ3w00) [[5]](#cite-id-5mPLQ8p5OT0p1qig) [[1]](#cite-id-4Mf54DcYe2EjPP4n)\",\"Added internal wiki links for 'DeFi', 'stablecoin', and 'tokenization' within the interviews/discussion content [[3]](#cite-id-zJbdGQyXXIrM3LvY) [[4]](#cite-id-0QJHh5v3TlxRSLnZ) [[2]](#cite-id-342w8W2dAtZQ3w00) [[5]](#cite-id-5mPLQ8p5OT0p1qig) [[1]](#cite-id-4Mf54DcYe2EjPP4n)\",\"General replacement of plain mentions with linked terms and minor formatting/text updates (multiple occurrences) [[3]](#cite-id-zJbdGQyXXIrM3LvY) [[4]](#cite-id-0QJHh5v3TlxRSLnZ) [[2]](#cite-id-342w8W2dAtZQ3w00) [[5]](#cite-id-5mPLQ8p5OT0p1qig) [[1]](#cite-id-4Mf54DcYe2EjPP4n)\"]},{\"title\":\"Metadata (dates & action flags)\",\"subtitle\":\"Structured date values were reformatted and several 'action' flags were added.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":4,\"changes\":[\"Changed date '2016-09-01' to '2016-09'.\",\"Changed date '2012-01-01' to '2012-01'.\",\"Changed date '2018-01-01' to '2018-01'.\",\"Added 'action': 'CREATE' entries (3 new instances).\"]}]}]}"}