Wences Casares
Wences Casares is the Founder and CEO of Xapo Bank, the world’s first Bitcoin-enabled bank to fully integrate traditional finance with cryptocurrency. Casares is a technology entrepreneur and advocate of the Bitcoin revolution who has played a key role in popularizing Bitcoin among tech elites. Throughout his career, he has founded and sold multiple companies for a cumulative amount of more than $1 billion. He has also established numerous tech and financial ventures in the United States, South America, and Europe. Casares has engaged in philanthropy and social innovation, notably with his roles in the Cartier Women’s Initiative awards and founding Las Majadas de Pirque.
Wences Casares Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder and CEO
Academic History
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O.P.M., Business Administration
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Board Member, Coin Center
Member, Young Presidents Organization
Elected Member, World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Originally from Patagonia, Argentina, Casares launched that country's first Internet Service Provider, Internet Argentina S.A. in 1994.
Under his leadership, Patagon established itself as Latin America's first comprehensive financial services portable and expanded its online banking services to the US, Spain, and Germany.
He founded Wanako Games, the video game developer of the award winning game "Assault Heroes," honored as "Game of the Year" for Microsoft Xbox Live in 2006, and was acquired by Activision.
He was also the Founder and CEO of Lemon Wallet, a digital wallet platform, and Banco Lemon.
FINTECH
Casares is a fintech entrepreneur and recognized next-generation payment and cryptocurrency thought leader.
He is credited with bringing Bitcoin to Silicon Valley and has made significant strides for the fintech sector.
He served on the boards of Kiva, Diem Association, and Endeavor, a non-profit that promotes high-impact entrepreneurship in emerging markets.
His fintech expertise has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, Fortune, Business Insider, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, Bitcoin Magazine, and Real Vision.