Ian Macalinao

Yo, so check this out, Ian Macalinao is the real deal in the crypto and startup world. Dude’s been around the block, crushing it everywhere he goes. He’s a tech junkie who jumped into the scene straight outta college, with a solid background in math and comp sci from UT Austin and Dallas. Already, you can tell he’s got that brainpower to build stuff that actually works.

He’s got this crazy resume, worked at Facebook, Google, Uber, big names, right? But what really sets him apart is what he’s done in crypto and DeFi. He’s the co-founder of Saber, which is basically one of the top cross-chain stablecoin exchanges on Solana. That’s huge. Like, he’s been key in making Solana’s DeFi system more legit, helping develop algorithms that track Total Value Locked (TVL), which is basically the money flowing through DeFi projects. He’s not just building apps; he’s shaping the infrastructure that makes DeFi tick.

Before Saber, he co-founded Abacus back in 2018, a software and internet services company that got some serious attention, raising $2 million from YC, Coinbase, Justin Kan, all the big players. That’s a sign he knows how to attract capital and build something people actually want. Plus, he was CTO & Co-founder at Asuna, another big name in crypto lending. And he’s been involved with projects like Nova, Texas Crypto, and even played roles at companies like Research Now and AutoLotto.

What does this tell us about Ian? Dude’s insanely driven. He jumped into startups, tech giants, and then crypto, all because he’s genuinely passionate about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with tech. He’s not just in it for the money; he wants to build stuff that changes the game. Starting Saber, co-founding Abacus, raising millions, influencing DeFi metrics, all that shows he’s got that entrepreneurial fire and vision.

He’s also part of the new wave, co-founding Ship Capital (later rebranded as Protagonist), which raised over $33 million and shifted focus into the Aptos system. That’s him staying ahead of the curve, always riding the future trend in crypto.

Bottom line? Ian Macalinao is one of those rare tech founders who combines deep technical smarts with a clear vision for where crypto and DeFi are headed. He’s been a key player in making Solana’s DeFi system legit, and he’s always looking for the next frontier. If you ask me, he’s one of the dudes to watch, not just because he’s built cool shit, but because he’s genuinely shaping the future of finance and blockchain. No cap.