{"id":"daniel-kang","title":"Daniel Kang","content":"**Daniel Kang** is the Founding Contributor of [Apyx](https://iq.wiki/wiki/apyx) and Chief Strategy Officer of DeFi Development Corp, where he plays a crucial role in steering the company’s strategic initiatives. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-QOWxGU3hIJPIxafo) [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-g6MXmyo96D6NBVLp) \n\n## Early Life & Education\n\nDaniel Kang earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Columbia University between 2010 and 2013.\n\nIn 2020, he completed the CS50 course track at Harvard University. The curriculum covered algorithms, data structures, and programming languages including C, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, SQL, Python, and Swift for iOS development. Course projects included a spell checker, an implementation of the Tideman voting algorithm, image filtering applications, DNA matching projects using Python and SQL, and a Pokédex application for iOS.\n\nBetween August 2020 and March 2021, Kang participated in the Data Science Career Track at Springboard as a Data Science Fellow. The program involved model selection, hyperparameter tuning, random forest model development in Python, SQL-based data analysis, and the completion of three portfolio projects under mentor supervision.\n\nBefore attending university, Kang studied at King Low Heywood Thomas from 2005 to 2009. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-QOWxGU3hIJPIxafo)  [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-g6MXmyo96D6NBVLp) \n\n## Career\n\n### Early Career in Finance\n\nDaniel Kang began his career in the financial sector through positions at Swiss Re and Morgan Stanley. In 2012, he worked as a Summer Financial Analyst at Swiss Re in the New York metropolitan area. From 2013 to 2015, he served as a Credit Risk Analyst at Morgan Stanley, which served as a basis for later work with [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets).\n\nBetween 2015 and 2020, Kang worked at AO Asset Management, LLC as Principal. During this period, he operated as a long-short equity analyst with a focus on internet and media companies.\n\n### Corporate Strategy and Investment Management\n\nIn 2020, Kang joined Snap Inc. as a member of the company's Strategy & Corporate Development team. He remained with the company until 2021.\n\nFrom 2021 to 2022, he served as Principal at AO Asset Management, LP, where he continued working in investment-related roles.\n\n### Kraken\n\nKang joined [Kraken](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kraken) Digital Asset Exchange in 2022. His initial position was Head of Expansion Strategy. In December 2022, he became Director of Corporate Strategy, a role he held until June 2024.\n\nIn June 2024, he was appointed Head of Strategy. His responsibilities included annual planning, resource allocation, and investor relations activities.\n\n### DeFi Development Corp. and Riveya Capital\n\nIn December 2024, Kang founded Riveya Capital, an investment firm based in New York.\n\nIn April 2025, he joined DeFi Development Corp. as Head of Investor Relations. In September 2025, he was appointed Chief Strategy Officer.\n\nAs Chief Strategy Officer, Kang oversees strategic planning activities and contributes to the development of [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) products. His work has included involvement with products such as [apxUSD](https://iq.wiki/wiki/apxusd) and [apyUSD](https://iq.wiki/wiki/apyusd).\n\n### Apyx\n\nIn February 2026, Kang became a Founding Contributor to [Apyx](https://iq.wiki/wiki/apyx), a project associated with DeFi Development Corp. The project is focused on the development of dividend-backed [stablecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin) and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-based financial products.\n\n### Industry Activities\n\nKang has participated in conferences and events related to [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) and financial technology. His public appearances have included discussions concerning [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets), [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi), and the relationship between traditional financial systems and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-based technologies. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-QOWxGU3hIJPIxafo)  [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-4YS9wTxJXfJCWqB9)  [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-g6MXmyo96D6NBVLp)  [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-Kr6wyOvLq0IJCAXZ)  [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-QOWxGU3hIJPIxafo)  [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-4YS9wTxJXfJCWqB9)  [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-g6MXmyo96D6NBVLp) \n\n## Interviews\n\n### Treasury Strategy and Solana Thesis #01\n\nOn May 20, 2025, Daniel Kang appeared on the Lightspeed podcast in an episode titled “The MicroStrategy of [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) Playbook with Dan Kang.” During the interview, he discussed the business model of DeFi Development Corp. (DeFi DevCorp), a publicly traded company that holds Solana ([SOL](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana-sol)) as its primary treasury asset. Kang described the company's treasury strategy and its approach to acquiring and managing SOL holdings.\n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=OWecczwSG04)\n\nKang stated that crypto treasury companies may trade above their net asset value (NAV) when market participants assign value to both existing holdings and the potential acquisition of additional [digital assets.](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) He explained that DeFi DevCorp seeks to increase its [SOL](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana-sol) holdings through methods including capital raises, [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking) activities, [validator](https://iq.wiki/wiki/validator) operations, and purchases of locked SOL tokens.\n\nThe interview also covered the relationship between stock volatility and [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) treasury companies. Kang stated that volatility may influence participation from market participants such as options traders and arbitrage firms, and discussed how these dynamics relate to the company's capital-raising activities.\n\nIn discussing [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana), Kang cited factors including network usage, [decentralized exchange](https://iq.wiki/wiki/decentralized-exchange) activity, developer participation, and [validator](https://iq.wiki/wiki/validator) operations as considerations underlying his assessment of the asset. He also addressed the role of community engagement and public narratives within [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) ecosystems. The interview focused on Kang's views regarding Solana and the operation of crypto treasury companies within the [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) sector. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-MzVZZ3vfPBa63rpx)​\n\n### New Market Structure for Bitcoin-Linked Capital #02\n\nOn February 26, 2026, during Strategy World 2026, Daniel Kang discussed his views on [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin)-backed financial infrastructure and introduced [Apyx](https://iq.wiki/wiki/apyx), a project described as a framework that combines Bitcoin-linked treasury assets with [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) applications. During the presentation, Kang stated that Bitcoin primarily functions as a store of value rather than a medium for everyday transactions.\n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=k-X3vbjnQKY)\n\nIn outlining his perspective on monetary systems, Kang identified stability, transaction speed, and yield generation as three characteristics that he considers important. He argued that existing fiat currencies and stablecoins have limitations in these areas, citing concerns related to purchasing power preservation and the distribution of returns to holders.\n\nKang presented [Apyx](https://iq.wiki/wiki/apyx) as a system that incorporates [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin)-linked credit instruments and treasury-related assets, including STRC preferred equity. According to the presentation, the framework includes a digital dollar designed to be backed by Bitcoin-related financial instruments, alongside a separate yield-bearing asset intended to distribute returns derived from underlying sources.\n\nDuring the discussion, Kang stated that [Apyx](https://iq.wiki/wiki/apyx) is designed to connect [stablecoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin) demand with [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin)-backed credit structures. He also described the framework as an approach for integrating Bitcoin-related assets into [decentralized finance](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) environments through financial products that combine [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) collateral, credit mechanisms, and yield-generating features.  [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-NoFS2JXzGsxmcSwR) ","summary":"Daniel Kang is CSO at DeFi Development Corp, with a background in strategic planning and equity analysis, holds a math degree from Columbia University and helped build Apyx, a leading stablecoin protocol.","images":[{"id":"QmXnqFU4zotyqVp2L32zrc3eit1hwW2YqmCCijLiYkFzbi","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"Founder"},{"id":"Investor"},{"id":"Researcher"},{"id":"Advisor"},{"id":"Ethereum"}],"media":[{"id":"QmX8eCijXkSxUX8pqMGoPGgv8t6QRn87hekej2fpRmJe3C","type":"GALLERY","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmYzqE4ecFKgSCDLcS6KWVZfox9nZ9DgUprRtjUXXQjoFW","name":"1526832028944.jpeg","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmYzqE4ecFKgSCDLcS6KWVZfox9nZ9DgUprRtjUXXQjoFW","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"QmNx7hWwk7fJ8Y416nbjj5WKSXPw6QhZPPEmJU7DLggKDE","name":"Dan-Kang.avif","caption":"","thumbnail":"QmNx7hWwk7fJ8Y416nbjj5WKSXPw6QhZPPEmJU7DLggKDE","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWecczwSG04","name":"OWecczwSG04","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWecczwSG04","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-X3vbjnQKY","name":"k-X3vbjnQKY","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-X3vbjnQKY","source":"YOUTUBE"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"QOWxGU3hIJPIxafo\",\"url\":\"https://blockworks.com/speaker/dan-kang\",\"description\":\"Blockworks\",\"timestamp\":1780399942126},{\"id\":\"4YS9wTxJXfJCWqB9\",\"url\":\"https://bitcointreasuries.net/defi-and-other/apyx\",\"description\":\"Bitcoin Treasuries\",\"timestamp\":1780399942126},{\"id\":\"g6MXmyo96D6NBVLp\",\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielhkang/\",\"description\":\"LinkedIn\",\"timestamp\":1780399942126},{\"id\":\"Kr6wyOvLq0IJCAXZ\",\"description\":\"DeFi Development Corp. Promotes Dan Kang to Chief Strategy Officer\\n\",\"timestamp\":1780400077810,\"url\":\"https://finance.yahoo.com/news/defi-development-corp-promotes-dan-200000865.html\"},{\"id\":\"MzVZZ3vfPBa63rpx\",\"description\":\"The Microstrategy Of Solana Playbook With Dan Kang\\n\",\"timestamp\":1780400848990,\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWecczwSG04\"},{\"id\":\"NoFS2JXzGsxmcSwR\",\"description\":\"New-Market Structures Using STRC & Bitcoin-Linked | DFDV's Dan Kang (CSO) @ Strategy World 2026\\n\",\"timestamp\":1780400980679,\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-X3vbjnQKY\"}]"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielhkang/"},{"id":"website","value":"https://apyx.fi/"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"\"https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmeZKhhcKGuTifjxQnouRRajqeGZNsfZfkWMPkBX5LqL5a\""},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Removed Daniel Kang biography and education sections\""},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmeZKhhcKGuTifjxQnouRRajqeGZNsfZfkWMPkBX5LqL5a"}],"events":[],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"operator":{"id":"0xd5893989b9952c6568a99F854795AcC5Ae480D56"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]},"recentActivity":"{\"items\":[{\"id\":\"5da2d028-5e00-4816-8832-728487553d4a\",\"title\":\"Daniel Kang\",\"description\":\"Daniel Kang is CSO at DeFi Development Corp, with a background in strategic planning and equity analysis, holds a math degree from Columbia University and helped build Apyx, a leading stablecoin protocol.\",\"timestamp\":\"2026-06-02T11:53:38.821Z\",\"category\":\"people\",\"status\":{\"icon\":\"RiGlobalLine\",\"label\":\"Wiki Updated\",\"iconClassName\":\"text-green-500\"},\"user\":{\"name\":\"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889\",\"address\":\"0xd5893989b9952c6568a99F854795AcC5Ae480D56\"},\"button\":{\"label\":\"View Summary\",\"icon\":\"RiFileTextLine\"},\"summarySections\":[{\"title\":\"Content\",\"subtitle\":\"Main article content updated — an 'Interviews' section was added to the biography content.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":1,\"changes\":[\"Added an 'Interviews' section (see below) containing two interview write-ups and embedded YouTube links. [[1]](#cite-id-QOWxGU3hIJPIxafo) [[2]](#cite-id-4YS9wTxJXfJCWqB9) [[3]](#cite-id-g6MXmyo96D6NBVLp) [[4]](#cite-id-Kr6wyOvLq0IJCAXZ) [[5]](#cite-id-MzVZZ3vfPBa63rpx) [[6]](#cite-id-NoFS2JXzGsxmcSwR)\"]},{\"title\":\"Interviews\",\"subtitle\":\"New 'Interviews' section with two interview subsections (dates, descriptions, and YouTube links).\",\"variant\":\"added\",\"changeCount\":2,\"changes\":[\"Added interview 'Treasury Strategy and Solana Thesis #01' (May 20, 2025) — includes discussion of DeFi Development Corp's treasury strategy and a YouTube link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=OWecczwSG04. [[5]](#cite-id-MzVZZ3vfPBa63rpx)\",\"Added interview 'New Market Structure for Bitcoin-Linked Capital #02' (February 26, 2026) — includes discussion of Apyx and Bitcoin-linked credit instruments and a YouTube link: https://youtube.com/watch?v=k-X3vbjnQKY. 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