Speakers

Jonathan Benassaya
Organization: IronChain Capital


Jonathan Benassaya is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IronChain Capital. Prior to founding the company in February 2017, Mr. Benassaya was an Entrepreneur in Residence at the venture capital firm Matrix Partners. Throughout his career, Mr. Benassaya has founded or co-founded multiple companies. In 2005, he founded MagicParty in Paris, the first in-game advertising network in China, which he sold in 2006 to NGI, a Beijing-based marketing company. In 2007, Mr. Benassaya founded Deezer, the first legal music streaming platform, where he held the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until 2010. Deezer was the first startup company to sign licensing deals with the major music labels and publishing companies to offer free and ad-supported music streaming. During his tenure, Mr. Benassaya grew the company to 10 million unique visitors, launched multiple offerings, and signed strategic distribution deals with mobile carriers while raising multiple rounds of financing. In 2011, Mr. Benassaya launched Plizy, a video discovery iPad application featured multiple times by Apple. In 2013, Plizy became StreamNation, the first multimedia cloud storage company for individuals. In 2015, StreamNation acquired Picturelife, a pioneer in artificial intelligence applied to photo storage, before it was itself acquired in 2016 by SmugMug. Mr. Benassaya received a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the E.N.S.A.M. Paris and a M.B.A. in Corporate Finance from ESSEC Business School Paris.


Matthew Hougan
Organization: Bitwise Asset Management


Matt Hougan is the Global Head of Research for Bitwise Asset Management, creator of the world's first cryptocurrency index fund. In that role, he helps create and refine the index methodologies that underlie Bitwise’s investment products and conducts fundamental research into the role cryptoassets can play in a diversified portfolio. His work and thoughts on crypto have been profiled in Barron’s, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Institutional Investor, CNBC, WealthManagement.com, ThinkAdvisor, Business Insider and many other publications. In addition to his role at Bitwise, Hougan is Chairman of Inside ETFs, producer of the world's largest ETF conferences. He was previously CEO of Inside ETFs and before that CEO of ETF.com. At ETF.com, he led the development of the world’s first institutionally oriented ETF ratings system, co-authored the CFA Institute’s “Monograph on ETFs” and was a three-time member of the Barron’s ETF Roundtable. Hougan also serves on the Board of Directors of Equbot, creator of the world’s first artificial-intelligence-driven family of ETFs, and is an advisor to StratiFi, which uses machine learning, data science, automation and design to help investors identify and mitigate hidden risks in their portfolios. He lives in Berkeley, CA, with his wife and three kids.


Josh Kernan
Organization: Partners Group


Josh Kernan is Global Head of Distribution for Permian Capital Management. Permian Capital Management, LLC is a San Francisco-based asset manager that specializes in investing in digital assets and blockchain-based technologies. Fusing a deep expertise in digital engineering with decades of experience in finance, Permian focuses on highly liquid digital assets from impact blockchain companies with real deliverables. He joined Permian in 2018. Prior to Permian Capital Management, Mr. Kernan was a Senior Vice President on the US Investment Solutions team at Partners Group. His responsibilities included fundraising/investor relations and new product development. Prior to joining Partners Group, Mr. Kernan was a Partner at Simple Alternatives, LLC. At Simple Alternatives Mr. Kernan oversaw all aspects of sales, marketing, education, and client implementation activities. Prior to joining Simple Alternatives, Mr. Kernan was the Director of Alternative Investments & Managed Accounts at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. At Schwab Mr. Kernan was responsible for helping advisors who custody accounts at Schwab Institutional Services with portfolio allocations using Schwab’s alternative investment and managed account platforms. Mr. Kernan founded Schwab’s alternative investment business in 1996. In addition, Mr. Kernan created Schwab Alternative Investment Source ™ Schwab’s alternative investment platform for SEC 40 Act registered alternative investment funds. Mr. Kernan is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designee and is a Chapter Executive for the CAIA San Francisco Chapter. Mr. Kernan is on the Advisory Board for the Bay Area Financial Education Foundation. Mr. Kernan graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and is registered with the FINRA Series 7, 63 & 66.


Sam McIngvale
Organization: Coinbase Asset Management


Sam McIngvale is the GM of Coinbase Custody, the premiere institutional custodian for crypto assets. In his role as GM, Sam is responsible for Coinbase Custody’s day-to-day operations and PnL. Prior to joining Coinbase, Sam spent 5 years at Apex Clearing where he lead Product and Business Development. In addition to his role at Coinbase Custody, he serves on the board at M1 Finance.