Digital asset management is a buddy concept. It’s where where cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology intersect with traditional finance. When you mention digital asset management, you cannot forget Les Borsai, who stands as a revolutionary force, directing strategic initiatives and asset management strategies across the crypto and digital asset ecosystem.
As the Co-Founder of Wave Digital Assets, Borsai’s extensive experience in entrepreneurship, music promotion, and cryptocurrency advisory has positioned him as a projecting figure in the industry, leveraging his unique insights to navigate the complexities of the digital asset management.
Borsai’s journey into the world of digital assets is witness to his entrepreneurial spirit. Having launched several successful startups in the digital music and cryptocurrency industries, including gridMob—an app development firm—and Songlily—a blockchain-based music licensing platform—Borsai’s early forays into technology laid the foundation for his deep understanding of blockchain technology and its transformative potential.
An early investor in notable Web3 projects such as Ethereum and Tezos, Borsai’s strategic foresight and investment acumen have earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor to prominent blockchain and digital creative firms, including Ripple, RightMesh, YouNow, and Backstage Play. His ability to identify emerging trends and build community around new ideas and markets has been instrumental in shaping the digital asset landscape and driving innovation within the industry.
As a co-founder, Borsai oversees the execution of strategic initiatives and asset management strategies, leveraging his extensive network and industry connections to bridge the gap between traditional asset management and cutting-edge digital currencies. With assets under management totaling $1.5 billion, Wave Digital Assets serves as a leading registered investment advisor, offering clients access to a range of investment opportunities in the crypto and digital asset space.
One of the key areas of focus for Wave Digital Assets is the management of its highly successful NFT Fund, which invests in NFT collectibles, platforms, and protocols. Borsai’s early recognition of the cultural significance of NFTs, coupled with his affinity for art and music, has positioned Wave Digital Assets as a leader in the burgeoning NFT market, driving growth and innovation within the sector.
Borsai’s background in the music industry has provided him with a unique perspective on the digital asset ecosystem, enabling him to identify opportunities and trends that others may overlook. His experience as a rave promoter in the Southern California underground scene of the late 1980s, followed by roles in tour marketing and artist development at MCA Records and 911 Records, equipped him with the skills and insights necessary to navigate the intersection of entertainment and technology.
In 2008, Borsai co-founded gridMob, an iPhone application development company that launched the first karaoke apps for artists such as Lady Gaga, demonstrating his ability to harness emerging technologies to meet evolving consumer demands. This venture marked the beginning of Borsai’s journey into the digital realm, paving the way for his subsequent ventures in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency.
The transformative power of blockchain technology became apparent to Borsai in 2013 when he took on the role of advisor to Ripple Labs, followed by his early investment in Ethereum the following year power platform consulting. Recognizing the potential of cryptocurrencies to revolutionize the way we transact and interact with digital assets, Borsai has been at the forefront of the digital asset revolution, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the rapidly evolving landscape of decentralized finance.
In 2017, he made a pivotal move that would further solidify his position as a visionary within the digital asset space—he purchased his first CryptoPunk NFT, part of a set of 10,000 NFTs that are among the first to ever be created and can now sell for upwards of $1 million apiece. This investment underscored his intuitive grasp of the cultural and financial significance of NFTs, foreshadowing the explosive growth of the NFT market in the years to come.
Borsai has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s NFT Fund, which has become one of the most successful investment vehicles in the NFT space. Leveraging his vast network and industry connections, Borsai has assembled a team of NFT experts, including Circle Hackathon winner Aric Chan and seasoned NFT trader John Caldwell, to drive growth and innovation within the sector.
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Borsai is a respected voice in the industry, regularly sharing insights on NFT trends and developments in top-tier global publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, CNBC, TechCrunch, CNN, and The Hollywood Reporter. His ability to identify emerging trends and drive innovation within the digital asset space has earned him the admiration and respect of his peers, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in the field of digital asset management.
In conclusion, Les Borsai’s journey from the music industry to the forefront of the digital asset revolution is a tribute to his visionary foresight, and unwavering commitment. He continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in decentralized finance, driving growth and innovation within the industry and shaping the future of digital asset management for years to come.