Julian Koh: From Software Engineer to CEO of Aevo

Julian Koh is a software engineer who has been working in the cryptocurrency industry since 2018. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of Aevo, a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform.

Koh started his career at Numerai, a San Francisco company that uses AI and crowdsourcing in finance. He worked there for seven months, helping the company create AI-based strategies for finance.

After his time at Numerai, Koh joined Metastable Capital, a hedge fund focusing on cryptocurrency. He worked there as a consultant, spending his time researching and analyzing new trends in the cryptocurrency market.

After finishing university, Koh joined Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency exchange, as a software engineer. At Coinbase, Koh worked on several projects, such as developing crypto connections, improving storage solutions, and improving staking services.

While working at Coinbase, Koh teamed up with his roommate to explore crypto ideas during his free time. With help from former coworkers and partners, Koh left Coinbase and co-founded Ribbon Finance in November 2020.

Ribbon Finance is a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform that offers organized crypto products and investment strategies. The platform is mainly known for its DOVs (DeFi Option Vaults), which allow users to earn money by selling the chance of an asset going up or down. People can earn money by selling a call or put option and getting paid for it.

However, these products come with risk. If the asset’s price goes up or down a lot, money can be lost. Koh pointed out that many investors are willing to take on this risk in a bull market to get higher asset returns.

Koh explained that Ribbon Finance had an excellent year in 2022 and closed out the first quarter with over $1 billion in total value locked (TVL). He added that the platform had launched Ribbon Earn, a product that allows users to earn yields on their crypto assets without needing to trade options.

According to Koh, Ribbon Earn is a simpler product that gives users a taste of DeFi without needing to go deep into the technicalities. He said that the product is designed for users who want to use DeFi but might not have the time or experience to trade options directly.

Koh also mentioned that Ribbon Finance is working on expanding its product line and launching more strategies in 2023. He added that the platform is also looking to launch new products like structured notes and certificates of deposit (CDs).

In 2023, Ribbon Finance was rebranded to Aevo. The rebranding aimed to offer more services in the growing crypto space, more than just crypto products and DeFi strategies. The new name shows the company’s goal to help people navigate decentralized finance and explore new ways to grow and innovate.

Koh has played an important role in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space, which aims to change traditional financial systems using blockchain technology. DeFi lets people use financial services like lending, borrowing, and trading without needing banks or middlemen.

Ribbon Finance helps make DeFi easier and more accessible by offering products like DOVs, which give users a simpler and more organized way to work with crypto assets.

Koh is excited about the chance to grow Aevo in international markets. He believes cryptocurrency can help close financial gaps, especially in areas with limited traditional banking systems. As Aevo grows, Koh plans to reach more users worldwide, especially in developing markets. He is looking for partnerships and opportunities to help the platform serve more customers and make a bigger global impact.

Koh is dedicated to building a supportive and more open crypto community. He believes blockchain has the power to bring big changes and is committed to teaching others about the opportunities it offers. Koh’s goal is more than just making money; he wants to help grow a financial system that empowers individuals and challenges traditional finance. Through his work, Koh hopes to inspire more people to explore and get involved in crypto, making decentralized finance available to everyone.