Search icon

Finance

28th Nov 2022

Crytocurrency founder Tiantian Kullander found dead aged 30

Steve Hopkins

Tiantian Kullander was ‘widely recognised as a pioneer for the industry’

The co-founder of a cryptocurrency has suddenly died at the age of 30.

Tiantian Kullander, the co-founder of Hong Kong-based digital asset company Amber Group, died in his sleep on November 23.

The company confirmed Tiantian’s passing on its website “with the deepest sadness and a heavy heart”.

Kullander, known affectionately as “TT,” launched Amber in 2017 with a group of finance insiders, including former Goldman Sachs Group and Morgan Stanley workers, after landing on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list – which recognises the most talented ​​emerging entrepreneurs and leaders – in 2019

Earlier this year, the start-up was valued at $3 billion after scoring a $200 million funding round, and earlier this month the company was in the process of raising another $100 million.

Amber described Kullander as “a pillar of our success.”

“He put his heart and soul into the company, in every stage of its growth. He led by example with his intellect, generosity, humility, diligence and creativity,” the company statement reads.

“TT was a respected thought leader and widely recognised as a pioneer for the industry. His depth of knowledge, his willingness to collaborate and his desire to always help others benefited countless start-ups and individuals.

“His insights and creativity inspired many projects, people and communities.”

The statement added that besides co-founding Amber and “building it into a multi-billion fintech unicorn,” Kullander also sat on the Board of Fnatic – one of the world’s most successful e-sports organisations – and founded KeeperDAO – the first on-chain liquidity underwriter.

“We lost a great partner and a true friend in TT and words cannot express our sorrow at this time,” the statement continued.

“TT’s legacy will live on and we will work even harder to make Amber the category-defining leader of our industry, as this was TT’s ambition and dream.

“TT was a devoted husband, a loving father and a fierce friend. His passing is a tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Arthur Cheong, founding partner of DeFiance Capital, was one of many to honour Kullander online, posting on Twitter that the “industry lost a young, bright and most importantly, a good soul.” Kullander is survived by his wife and young son.

Kullander is the second young cryptocurrency entrepreneur to pass away in recent weeks. A few weeks ago, tech millionaire Nikolai Mushegian drowned on a beach in Puerto Rico.

The 29-year-old had been paranoid that the CIA was after him, tweeting as much just hours before his death.

His family, however, do not believe his death was suspicious.

Related links: