Michael Terpin

Michael Terpin is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and public relations expert who has made significant contributions to the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. He has been an influential figure in the space since its early days and has played a vital role in the development and growth of the industry.

Terpin began his career as the CEO of Terpin Communications in 1990, which he ran until 2001 when he sold it to Morgen-Walke/Lighthouse, now Financial Dynamics. In 1994, he founded Internet Wire, which became the first Internet-based company newswire and was later rebranded as Marketwired. During his time as CEO of Marketwired, Terpin introduced a range of innovative solutions to the PR industry, including the first multi-featured online newsroom, earning him a reputation as a pioneer in the field of internet-based PR.

In 2013, Terpin co-founded BitAngels, the world's first angel network for digital currency startups. BitAngels has since grown into the largest angel network in the blockchain industry and has helped fund over 150 companies. The network has also expanded to over 20 countries and hosts regular events to connect entrepreneurs and investors.

In 2014, Terpin founded Transform Group, a holding company that owns three companies: SocialRadius, Transform PR, and Transform Events. SocialRadius is a marketing and social media agency that specializes in blockchain and cryptocurrency, while Transform PR is a full-service PR firm that focuses on helping blockchain and cryptocurrency companies gain visibility and media exposure. Transform Events, meanwhile, produces a range of blockchain-focused events, including the flagship conference, CoinAgenda.

Terpin has also been an active investor in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space and has made early investments in some of the industry's most successful startups, including Ethereum, Factom, and Augur. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and is widely regarded as an expert on blockchain, cryptocurrency, and PR.

In addition to his work in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry, Terpin is also a committed philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charitable organizations. He is a board member of the Blockchain Education Network, a non-profit organization that promotes blockchain education and awareness, and the BitGive Foundation, a non-profit organization that uses blockchain technology for charitable purposes. Terpin has also served as a board member of the Bitcoin Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the development and adoption of bitcoin.

Michael Terpin has always been linked to technology and at the forefront of innovation. The Internet gave way to other technologies, like AI and blockchain, which are said to drive innovation in the near future. Mr Terpin joined the blockchain and cryptocurrency space in 2013. In fact, he saw the first Initial Coin Offering (ICO) ever made in history. 

Regarding crypto and blockchain investment, Michael Terpin is a well-known investor, channelled through three initiatives: BitAngels, the first angel investor group focused on identifying, funding and mentoring seed- and early-stage startups in the digital currency space, including Bitcoin. 

In July, 2014 Terpin founded Flight.VC (Bitcoin Syndicate), the first and largest angel syndicate for investing in bitcoin- and cryptocurrency-related companies. While in 2015, Michael Terpin co-founded bCommerce Labs, an ecommerce bitcoin company incubator, which has launched its first company (Crytpomarket) and soon its first ICO. In 2017, he joined Alphabit Fund, a $300 million digital currency fund, as a special advisor, CMO and head of their ICO investment committee. 

In parallel, he became, in 2017, an advisor to ICOBox, a new platform that helps anyone with a great concept or asset do an end-to-end ICO for equity and/or low fees. In 2018, he lost $24 million worth of cryptocurrency due to a SIM-swap scam. A SIM Swap hack is when an individual or group of individuals gain control over a person’s mobile phone by using the SIM card to steal the identity of the person. 

Once the perpetrators have a cloned phone by using two-factor identification they reset passwords to gain access to the target’s various accounts. Michael Terpin sued Nicholas Truglia for the theft and won $75.8 million civil judgment against SIM Swap perp Nicholas Truglia. 

As Michael Terpin tells us, Transform Group is a global public relations, blockchain advisory and events firm that has served over 250 clients in the blockchain space, including more than 30% of the CoinMarketCap 100 companies and foundations. Terpin is also known for founding Marketwire, which was one of the world’s leading business newswires and which has since been merged with GlobeNewswire.

Michael Terpin's vision for the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry is rooted in his experience as an entrepreneur and investor. He sees similarities between the growth of the internet and the growth of blockchain and believes that the blockchain industry is still in its early years of development.

Regarding blockchain, Terpin recognizes that people are still learning about the technology and many find it too complicated. However, he sees a lot of potential in blockchain and believes that it will have a significant impact on various industries. He draws parallels with the internet, which was initially difficult for people to understand and use, but eventually became a ubiquitous part of modern life. Terpin also emphasizes the importance of user interface and believes that advances in graphic design will be key to making blockchain more accessible to everyday users.

Regarding cryptocurrency, Terpin believes that Bitcoin will continue to be a store of value, but other cryptocurrencies will also emerge as viable payment options. He notes that the perception of Bitcoin has evolved from being associated with illegal activity to being seen as a legitimate investment asset. He sees the cryptocurrency market as becoming more mature and diverse, with different cryptocurrencies being used for different purposes.

Overall, Terpin's vision for the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry is one of optimism and growth. He believes that blockchain has the potential to transform various industries and that the cryptocurrency market will continue to evolve and diversify. As a blockchain specialist and crypto legend, Terpin is well-positioned to help shape the industry's development and ensure that it achieves its full potential.