Brandon Chez
Summary
Brandon Chez is the founder of CoinMarketCap, a leading cryptocurrency data website established in 2013. The platform provides real-time data on cryptocurrency prices, trading volumes, and market capitalisation, becoming one of the most visited websites globally in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. In 2018, CoinMarketCap was ranked among the top 100 most visited websites by Alexa. Chez is recognised for maintaining a private profile within the crypto community.
Brandon Chez is also associated with Aegis Capital, where he currently serves as CEO, focusing on investment banking services. He has also invested in the cryptocurrency sector and participated in the seed funding round for Saffron Finance, a peer-to-peer risk adjustment protocol that tokenises on-chain assets. This investment was part of a $2 million seed round in March 2021, which included other investors such as Coinbase Ventures and Dragonfly Capital.
CoinMarketCap introduced a Liquidity Metric in 2019 to enhance the accuracy of reported trading volumes and improve transparency in the market. Later that year, it acquired Hashtag Capital, a cryptocurrency analytics and trading firm, to further enhance its data services. In 2020, CoinMarketCap was acquired by Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange. Although the financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, Forbes estimated the deal at approximately $400 million. Following the acquisition, Chez transitioned from his role as CEO to focus on other pursuits.
Chez’s career includes roles at Lockheed Martin and Mediabistro, as well as a software engineering position at Rocketrip, a company specialising in corporate travel cost management. He worked at Rocketrip until 2015 before dedicating his efforts to CoinMarketCap full-time.
Chez holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from the Rochester Institute of Technology, which he earned in 2009. His technical expertise and entrepreneurial efforts have significantly contributed to the development of transparent and accessible cryptocurrency market data services, setting a standard for the industry.
Biography
Brandon Chez is a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency industry, best known as the founder of CoinMarketCap, one of the most widely used cryptocurrency data websites in the world. His journey from a background in technology to becoming an influential entrepreneur in the crypto space reflects his technical expertise and strategic vision.
Brandon Chez education
Brandon Chez was born in the United States. He pursued higher education at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he earned a bachelor's degree in computer science in 2009. His academic background laid the foundation for his future endeavours in technology and entrepreneurship.
Chez began his professional career working at Lockheed Martin, a major American aerospace and defence company. He later joined Mediabistro, a platform catering to journalists and media professionals. Chez then transitioned to Rocketrip, a company specialising in corporate travel cost management, where he worked as a software engineer until 2015. During these roles, he gained significant experience in software development and data analytics.
Founding CoinMarketCap (2013)
In 2013, Chez founded CoinMarketCap, recognising the need for a comprehensive and accessible platform for cryptocurrency data. The website provided real-time information on cryptocurrency prices, trading volumes, market capitalisation, and exchange rankings. CoinMarketCap quickly became an indispensable tool for traders, investors, and enthusiasts, emerging as a central hub for market data.
Major developments at CoinMarketCap
2018 South Korean Exchange Adjustment: In January 2018, CoinMarketCap excluded South Korean exchange data from its price calculations due to significant pricing discrepancies reported by users. This decision highlighted the platform's influence, as it affected global cryptocurrency market trends.
2019 Liquidity Metric and Hashtag Capital Acquisition: To address concerns about inflated trading volumes, CoinMarketCap introduced a Liquidity Metric in 2019. Later that year, the platform acquired Hashtag Capital, a cryptocurrency analytics and trading firm, to enhance the quality and transparency of its data offerings.
2020 Binance Acquisition: In April 2020, CoinMarketCap was acquired by Binance, a leading cryptocurrency exchange. The deal, estimated by Forbes to be worth $400 million, marked a significant milestone for the platform. Following the acquisition, Chez stepped down as CEO.
Brandon Chez has also been active as an investor in the cryptocurrency sector. Notably, he participated in the seed funding round of Saffron Finance, a protocol focusing on risk-adjusted tokenisation of assets. Beyond his work at CoinMarketCap, Chez is associated with Aegis Capital, where he serves as CEO, focusing on investment banking services.
Brandon Chez's present status
Currently, Chez continues his involvement in the cryptocurrency and financial sectors through his role as CEO at Aegis Capital and ongoing investments. He maintains a low public profile while contributing to the development of transparent and efficient data solutions for the industry.
Vision
Brandon Chez envisions a cryptocurrency ecosystem that is transparent, accessible, and efficient for users worldwide. Through platforms like CoinMarketCap, he aimed to provide accurate and reliable market data, empowering traders, investors, and enthusiasts to make informed decisions. His work prioritises innovation in data analytics and market transparency, setting standards for accountability in the cryptocurrency industry. Chez's focus extends beyond market data, as seen in his investments and leadership roles, where he supports advancements in blockchain technology and financial services. His vision continues to shape the future of cryptocurrency and blockchain industries globally.
Recognition and Awards
As the founder of CoinMarketCap, he is credited with creating one of the most visited cryptocurrency data platforms globally. CoinMarketCap’s influence on the market earned it a place among the Top 100 Most Visited Websites in 2018, according to Alexa. His decision to implement transparency measures, such as the Liquidity Metric in 2019, has been praised for improving data accuracy in the crypto market. Chez's work has positioned him as a key figure in promoting trust and innovation in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
References
- Who is Brandon Chez? | Coinmarketcap
- The Ledger 40 Under 40 - Brandon Chez | Fortune
- Brandon Chez #25 Founder and CEO of CoinMarketCap | Cointelegraph
- The “Mystery Man” Behind Coinmarketcap | Medium
- Brandon Chez | Everipedia
- Mysterious CoinMarketCap Founder To (Almost) Appear In Person | Cryptobriefing
- No.14: Brandon Chez Founder & ex-CEO of CoinMarketCap, crypto’s leading site for market data which was acquired by Binance in 2020 | Minterest
- Brandon Chez: Mysterious CMC Founder Talks About the Flexibility of Crypto and His Lessons Learned | Foresightnews
- Confirmed! Brandon Chez Steps Down as Binance Completes Acquisition of CoinMarketCap | Coinfomania
- Here’s a list of the first 14 cryptos listed on CoinMarketCap when it launched back in 2013 | Finbold
- The Biggest Crypto Acquisition? Binance Exchange Acquired CoinMarketCap For An Undisclosed Sum | Cryptopotato
- Five CoinMarketCap Executives Depart Binance-Owned Firm | Nasdaq
- Binance Officially Confirms Its Acquisition of CoinMarketCap | Coinspeaker
- The Programmer at the Center of a $100 Billion Crypto Storm | WSJ
- CoinMarketCap acquires little-known data firm as it seeks to improve pricing on site | Yahoo Finance