Antoni Trenchev

Antoni Trenchev is an accomplished international businessman, blockchain advocate, and cultural aficionado. He is a Co-founder and Managing Partner of digital assets institution Nexo and holds а Master of Laws (LLM) degree, successfully merging legal knowledge with financial business acumen.

MY STORY

Antoni Trenchev was born in Munich on March 15, 1987. He is a multifaceted individual who thrives on seeking new challenges and innovation in various fields. Antoni Trenchev's passion for the humanities led him to study law at King's College London and Humboldt University of Berlin.

His professional path began as a proprietary trader and fund manager in equities, commodities, and fixed income. Seeking new challenges, he ventured into the world of politics and between 2014 and 2017 served as a Member of Bulgaria’s Parliament, advocating for progressive legislation, including consitutional and judicial reforms, as well as e-voting solutions, such as the implementation of innovative blockchain technologies. Antoni Trenchev co-founded Nexo in 2018 with university-friend Kosta Kantchev. Antoni has a little daughter who now forms the center of his universe. His leisure interests include literature, fine arts, and long walks.

Education, Professional Beginnings, And Public Service

During his last year in law school, Antoni developed a fascination with the financial markets. Straight out of university, he began trading futures, equity indices, commodities, and volatility products. As a young trader, he quickly built a reputation for his insights and ability to navigate unpredictable market conditions, leading him to establish a small hedge fund, managing double-digit millions. Upon realizing that routinely spending 16+ hours a day in front of a screen takes a toll on one’s health, he decided it was time for a change.

Antoni is no stranger to reflecting on challenging moments – they have shaped his journey. From the early struggles in competitive skiing to a disappointing interview experience with Oxford University where he stumbled while analyzing a complex House of Lords court decision, he learned valuable lessons in resilience, adaptability, and continuous self-improvement which he has been applying trough his subsequent professional life.

As a real people person, Antoni has sought to leave an indelible mark on the world and a positive difference in the lives of people. This is how, after a few rollercoaster years in the hedge fund sector, he entered the world of politics, in a fascinating twist which reflected his early ambitions as a child. Back then, when asked about his future aspirations, Munich-born Antoni amusingly responded that he wanted to become the Chancellor of Germany.

Fast-forward some 20 odd years to around 2012, he joined the party of Bulgaria’s first European Commissioner where he played a crucial role in leveraging social media for effective campaigning. Shortly after, during the country’s general elections, he was elected as a Member of Parliament. During his tenure, he advocated for progressive legislation focused on implementing blockchain solutions for e-government, most prominently in e-voting and distributed ledger database storage. As an active parliamentarian, Antoni also opposed two key energy initiatives that would have deepened Bulgaria’s energy dependence on Russia. He voiced concern over the proposed Belene nuclear power plant, a project from the communist era with a complex history, including instances of financial mismanagement and a substantial equipment payment to Russia's state-owned Rosatom. Antoni was also wary about the South Stream gas pipeline project, which would have carried Russian natural gas through the Black Sea to Bulgaria.

His dedication to public service extended beyond these efforts and he served as the deputy head of the Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

While in the Council of Europe, Antoni contributed to various committees, including the Committee on Social Affairs, Health, and Sustainable Development; the Sub-Committee on Relations with the OECD and the EBRD; and the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy.

Antoni Trenchev —
‍ Co-founder and Managing Partner of Nexo

Nexo is the world’s leading digital assets institution on a mission to maximize the value and utility of digital assets. Founded in 2018 with a security-first approach in mind, the company provides a comprehensive lending and trading suite and has processed $130+ billion for 5,000,000+ retail and institutional clients across 200+ jurisdictions.

Drawing from his experiences in finance, law, politics, and communications, Antoni Trenchev brings a unique perspective to his role as a Co-founder and Managing Partner at Nexo. In his role, he oversees the work of three cross-disciplinary departments: Legal and Regulatory Compliance; Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering (AML); and Communications. Thanks to his diverse professional experience, Antoni has developed a unique perspective on the financial industry.

The depth of the Nexo co-founder's knowledge on cryptocurrency enabled him to be the first to bring the discussion of crypto live on air. His insights have now made him a staple on Bloomberg, CNBC, and Yahoo Finance, where he often discusses the latest market shifts. Antoni was also fundamental in laying the groundwork for Nexo’s tradition for humanitarian aid and philanthropic work.

Pioneering the Future of Finance with Nexo's Rapid Growth & Industry Leadership

Antoni’s leadership style centers around empowering his team, leading by example, and fostering an environment of responsibility, trust, and collaboration. He understands the power of modern communication and media tools to drive meaningful change, having witnessed its impact firsthand. This expertise, coupled with his visionary approach, eventually led him to co-found Nexo with the goal to drive innovation in a compliant manner and achieve synergies between traditional financial services and cutting-edge digital solutions.

2017-2018

Antoni Trenchev along with his decade-old friend Kosta Kantchev, as early Bitcoin enthusiasts, encountered a common problem among crypto enthusiasts of that era: how to leverage their cryptocurrency in a predominantly cash-based society without compromising its potential benefits. The two launched the Nexo platform in April 2018, shortly after raising $52.5 million in an oversubscribed private token sale, which were immediately used to fund demand for the industry’s first instant crypto-backed credit lines. Antoni's financial and legal expertise led him to spearhead Nexo's Legal and Regulatory Compliance team. As a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and a champion of crypto regulation that does not stifle innovation, he and the Nexo team successfully led Nexo to acquire over 50 licenses and registrations worldwide while maintaining proactive, amicable dialogue with regulators globally.

2019-2020

Under Antoni and Kosta’s stewardship, Nexo achieved significant milestones in less than two years, including pioneering crypto-backed loans and the launch of innovative products like Earn Crypto Interest and the first crypto mortgage. The company also rolled out a mobile app and reached over $1.5B in assets under management after seeing its user base grow by an unrivaled 850% in the first year alone.

As early as the crypto market’s bull run in late 2019, Antoni Trenchev was at the forefront of blockchain adoption, spreading the word about cryptocurrency's potential. It was at this time that Trenchev became a household name on top-tier financial outlets not least due to his accurate prediction that Bitcoin would reach $50,000 by the end of 2020.

Humanitarianism

Antoni Trenchev was also fundamental in laying the groundwork for Nexo’s tradition for humanitarian aid and philanthropic work with the first company-led initiative in support of children in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, Save with Crypto. Nexo may be a relatively young company but has relentlessly participated in and led multiple charitable campaigns across the globe, including providing aid to victims of the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria as well as, Crypto for Ukraine – a large-scale humanitarian effort which provided urgent help to the large numbers of people in Ukraine whose lives were shattered by Russia’s war. Among the various charitable causes Nexo spearheaded were its donations to Bitcoin developers, and other initiatives like and #ColorTheSpectrum.

2021-2023

Trenchev, Kantchev, and the Nexo team are not ones to rest on their laurels. In 2021, the enterprise achieved exponential growth and reached milestone after milestone – $4B in assets under management, 5 million users, and over $50B processed, cementing its position as one of the leading digital asset institutions in the world.

Around that time, on his ongoing quest for compliance, Antoni was occupied with one thought: how can the digital assets industry balance stability and investor protection on the one hand with the promotion and support of innovation on the other? He championed crypto regulation, but its lack thereof was slowing down innovation as providers were scrambling to find guidance.

Against this backdrop, Nexo made a pioneering move in terms of transparency to its clients – the company became the first crypto lender to introduce a real-time attestation of its reserves. This unprecedented level of transparency demonstrated – through a 24/7, independent, third-party verification – that Nexo’s custodial assets always exceed liabilities and that the company maintains 1:1 backing.

In the coming months, Nexo would establish partnerships with prominent players in the industry, such as Fidelity Digital Assets, Bakkt, and Mastercard – launching its industry-unique Nexo Card. Furthermore, 2022 saw the launch of Nexo's proprietary prime brokerage platform, Nexo Prime, and Nexo Pro – a full-fledged liquidity aggregator that brings professional trading tools to all.

Trenchev and Kantchev remained steadfast in their commitment to leading the way in the future of finance. Nexo Ventures, the in-house Web3-focused investment arm, completed over 65 strategic investments in early-stage projects that aligned with the company mission.

During 2022’s rapidly-evolving crypto landscape, Nexo remained committed to stability, security, and transparency and continued to stay ahead of the curve. The company refused to engage in the industry-wide practice of under- and un-collateralized lending. It is a fundamental principle for Nexo that has resulted in no bad debt during market turmoils. Since its inception, Nexo has been adhering to strict risk management and counterparty risk management principles. This is especially important in light of the events of 2022 when the collapse of a handful of companies spread like a contagious decease and brought extreme second- and third-order effects to the market. Because of its risk management protocols and sustainable business model, Nexo had $0 exposure to failed crypto companies.

Nexo remains dedicated to stability, transparency, and staying at the forefront of innovation. Antoni Trenchev's vision and leadership continue to drive Nexo's success as the team explores new opportunities in the blockchain ecosystem, shaping the future of finance.

Antoni Trenchev –
The Renaissance Man Driving Innovation

With an unbalanced intake of five ristretto coffees a day and a balanced approach to work and life, Antoni Trenchev strives to drive innovation in financial services. With the same dedication, the Nexo co-founder seeks continuous self-improvement and cherishes the simple joys of family. An avid reader, Antoni envisions owning a vineyard in the picturesque Bordeaux region of France upon retirement, combining his love for fine wine with a serene retreat from the demands of the business world. Family is the anchor of Antoni's life – he values a balanced daily routine that begins with quality time with his little daughter. His leisure interests include literature, fine arts, and long walks, while his passion for hip hop – which extends beyond casual listening – often surprises those who make his encounter.

The Coffee-drinking, Art-loving Co-founder With 15,000 Daily Steps

Beyond his professional pursuits, Antoni nurtures a passion for arts, aesthetics, and literature. He is an avid walker – finding solace in the rhythmic steps of his daily 10-kilometre strolls serves as a form of exercise, meditation, and a way to stay informed through podcasts. Antoni's commitment to physical fitness extends to his passion for swimming, skiing, yoga, and less-regular-than-he-likes-to-admit visits to the gym.

Antoni finds inspiration in the works of renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, painter Cy Twombly, and the timeless writings of Thomas Mann. Among the books that have left a lasting impression on Antoni's life are "The Black Swan" by Nassim Taleb, which heightened his awareness of fat-tail events and their impact, and German classical literature, most notably "The Magic Mountain" by Thomas Mann, known for its linguistic brilliance in conveying the relativity of time and space, a theme as potent today with the emergence of AI as at the time of writing.

Image showing some of Antoni Trenchev's favourite artworks.

An image showing the covers of the books "The Black Swan" by Nassim Taleb and "The Magic Mountain" by Thomas Mann

A visual composition showing a portrait of Young Thung and a classic piano in in the background.

From a young age, Antoni developed a love for classical music, immersing himself in the timeless compositions of great masters. Alongside his classical repertoire, Antoni’s eclectic taste encompasses the vibrant rhythms of jazz; but perhaps what surprises many is Antoni’s affinity for hip hop. His passion for beats and rhymes extends beyond casual listening; with a penchant for the English language, he possesses an extensive knowledge of the genre and can effortlessly perform a multitude of songs without the need for a teleprompter. Antoni confesses an unexpected fondness of mumble rap, finding himself drawn to artists like Pop Smoke and Young Thug. The latter’s raw, unintelligible style resonates with him, leading him to liken the genre’s overall impression to the avant-garde Dadaist artistic movement for the former’s fairly unsophisticated and distinct, albeit nonsensical, nature.

Antoni doesn’t often binge-watch TV series but the most fascinating ones he’s ever seen were the first few seasons of House of Cards, Mr. Robot, and the “seriously underrated” Boss.

The artworks of the tv series House of Cards and Mr. Robot.

Antoni values a balanced daily routine that begins with quality time with his daughter. He cherishes the simple moments spent with his partner, daughter, and mother, and seeks to create an environment where work and personal life intertwine harmoniously, recognizing the importance of being fully present in both realms. Antoni values principles such as trust, honor, and integrity, understanding that one's word carries significant weight, both in professional commitments and personal relationships.

On Society, Leadership, and
Building Financial Products

Antoni ponders on challenges facing society, including the need to balance sustainability with the ever-growing global population and the ensuing economic complexities. He believes in the individual right to liberty and acknowledges the importance of hard work, personal responsibility, and differentiation in achieving success. Antoni’s leadership style resembles what Steve Jobs said: “It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do. We hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” In a nutshell, Antoni follows the principles of giving direction while empowering talented individuals to excel in their roles unencumbered by hierarchy. Leading by example is a cornerstone of his leadership style, as Antoni believes that by demonstrating dedication, hard work, and a strong work ethic, he can inspire his team to achieve their best.

At Nexo, diversity is an integral part of the company's culture and success, and the organizational chart showcases a strong presence of women in leadership roles. Antoni believes in meritocracy and values individuals based on their abilities and achievements, creating an inclusive environment where talent and expertise are the primary criteria for success.

When it comes to building financial products, simplicity and functionality take center stage. A successful product must seamlessly perform its intended tasks, mirroring the philosophy that has propelled Apple to its remarkable success. Additionally, for Antoni, Henry Ford's insight holds true – people may not always know what they want until they experience it firsthand. By listening to its trail-blazing clients, Nexo has gained valuable insights to design products that meet real-world needs and carve out entire market niches.

Rather than seeking to be remembered, Antoni focuses on making an impact in the present. He believes that true success lies in the pursuit of continuous improvement, remaining adaptable, driven, and committed to one’s values. By setting the bar high and demonstrating unwavering commitment, Antoni motivates his team to strive for greatness and fosters a culture of success.