Kyle Samani Steps Down from Multicoin Capital to Pursue Emerging Technologies
Co‑founder and managing partner announces his departure after a decade, citing a “bittersweet moment” and a shift toward AI, robotics and longevity research.
London, 27 April 2024 – Multicoin Capital’s co‑founder Kyle Samani confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that he will relinquish his role as managing partner of the crypto‑focused venture firm. After ten years at the helm of one of the industry’s most prominent investment houses, Samani described the decision as a “bittersweet moment” and said he plans to devote his energy to exploring new technological frontiers, notably artificial intelligence and robotics.
In a post on Wednesday, Samani explained that a brief hiatus will help him “reset” and pursue areas that have captured his interest since the early 2020s. He added that, despite stepping back, his conviction that cryptocurrency will “fundamentally rewire the circuitry of finance” remains stronger than ever.
A Look Back at Samani’s Tenure
Samani co‑founded Multicoin Capital in May 2017, shortly after recognizing the promise of Solana’s high‑throughput blockchain. The firm led Solana’s first institutional financing round in 2018, a bet that eventually proved to be a cornerstone of its portfolio. By May 2025, Multicoin reported assets under management (AUM) of roughly $5.9 billion, placing it among the world’s largest crypto‑investment entities.
During his time at Multicoin, Samani has been an outspoken figure in the crypto community. He has publicly praised the permissionless finance model and smart‑contract capabilities that initially drew him to Ethereum in 2016. However, his enthusiasm for the Ethereum ecosystem waned over concerns about scaling solutions and other technical hurdles. Likewise, he has periodically critiqued both Bitcoin and Ethereum, questioning their long‑term relevance compared with emerging layer‑1 platforms.
A noteworthy episode surfaced earlier this year when a now‑deleted X post appeared to contradict Samani’s current optimism. In that tweet, he wrote that he no longer believed in the “web3 vision” and that crypto had failed to deliver the excitement many enthusiasts promised. The post has not been restored, but its existence underscores the evolving nature of his viewpoint.
Why the Shift Now?
In a joint letter co‑authored with fellow Multicoin co‑founder Tushar Jain, Samani detailed the themes he intends to explore: artificial intelligence, longevity science and robotics. The letter positioned these sectors as complementary to the decentralized finance narrative, suggesting that breakthroughs in automation and human augmentation could intersect with blockchain’s future use cases.
Samani also referenced the upcoming “Clarity Act” – a legislative framework expected to provide clearer regulatory guidance for digital assets. He believes the act will trigger a “tidal wave of new entrants” and accelerate mainstream adoption, particularly for networks like Solana where Multicoin has deep roots. While he will no longer be involved in day‑to‑day decisions at Multicoin, Samani indicated plans to continue investing personally in crypto projects and to support the firm’s existing portfolio companies.
Potential Impact on Multicoin Capital
Samani’s departure raises several questions for Multicoin’s strategic direction:
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Leadership Transition: Multicoin has not disclosed who will assume Samani’s responsibilities. The firm’s other co‑founder, Tushar Jain, is likely to take a more prominent role, possibly supplemented by senior partners who have been groomed for leadership.
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Investment Thesis Continuity: The firm’s public statement reaffirmed its belief that crypto is at a “critical inflection point,” emphasizing regulatory clarity, infrastructure maturity, and broader adoption. This suggests that Multicoin’s core investment philosophy will remain intact, despite the change at the top.
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Portfolio Stability: Multicoin’s exposure to Solana, as well as its diversified holdings across DeFi, Web3 infrastructure and early‑stage protocols, should insulate it from short‑term volatility. However, Samani’s personal network and deal‑sourcing ability have been valuable assets; their absence may slow the pace of new investments.
- Market Perception: Samani’s high profile and occasional criticisms of Bitcoin and Ethereum have shaped investor sentiment. His exit might be read as a signal of maturation within the industry, indicating that senior figures are now comfortable taking a step back, confident in the sector’s long‑term trajectory.
Broader Industry Takeaways
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Diversification of Talent: Samani’s move highlights a growing trend of crypto veterans branching into adjacent technologies. As AI, robotics and longevity attract significant capital, the skill sets cultivated in blockchain could prove transferable.
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Regulatory Milestones Matter: The reference to the Clarity Act underscores how forthcoming policy decisions are reshaping strategic planning for crypto firms. Investors are increasingly betting on the value‑unlocking potential of clear regulatory environments.
- Persistence of Core Convictions: Even as Samani pivots, his enduring belief in crypto’s capacity to disrupt financial markets illustrates a broader sentiment among seasoned investors: the underlying technology is viewed as a structural innovation, not a passing fad.
Key Takeaways
- Kyle Samani is leaving his managing‑partner role at Multicoin Capital after ten years, describing the transition as “bittersweet.”
- He will focus on AI, robotics, and longevity, while maintaining personal crypto investments and supporting Multicoin’s portfolio.
- Samani remains bullish on Solana and anticipates a surge of new entrants following the expected Clarity Act regulatory framework.
- Multicoin Capital, now managing roughly $5.9 billion in assets, reaffirms its confidence in crypto’s upcoming inflection point, despite the leadership change.
- The departure signals an increasing crossover between crypto expertise and other high‑tech sectors, potentially accelerating interdisciplinary innovation.
As the crypto industry continues to mature, the movement of prominent figures like Samani into broader technology domains may herald a new era of cross‑sector collaboration, while firms such as Multicoin Capital aim to sustain their momentum within the evolving digital‑asset landscape.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/multicoin-exec-kyle-samani-steps-down-explore-new-tech?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
