Santiago Roel Santos

Santiago Roel Santos is a seasoned investor with a significant background in the digital asset space, primarily known for his tenure as a Partner at ParaFi Capital. Joining ParaFi in 2018 as an Investment Analyst, he steadily rose through the ranks, becoming Head of Research before being promoted to Partner in January 2021. During his time at ParaFi, a prominent crypto-native investment firm, Santos played a crucial role in identifying and backing innovative projects across decentralized finance (DeFi), Web3 infrastructure, and other blockchain technologies. His responsibilities encompassed in-depth research, due diligence, and strategic investment decisions, contributing to the firm's reputation as a leading institutional investor in the crypto ecosystem.

ParaFi Capital is recognized for its fundamental, long-term approach to investing in the crypto space. Under the leadership that included Santos, the firm deployed capital from funds, including a notable $100 million fund raised in 2021, into high-potential ventures. The firm's portfolio includes significant investments in projects like Aave, Compound, Uniswap, and Lido Finance, reflecting a strategic focus on foundational protocols and applications driving the decentralized economy. Santos's expertise in market analysis and his deep understanding of blockchain technology were instrumental in shaping ParaFi's investment thesis and identifying key opportunities.

As a Partner, Santiago Roel Santos was directly involved in deploying capital into various stages of crypto projects. While ParaFi Capital's investment sizes varied, typical first checks for early-stage ventures often ranged from $500,000 to $10 million, depending on the project's maturity and capital requirements. For instance, ParaFi led a $2.5 million seed round for Volmex Labs and a $7.5 million seed round for Sei Labs, showcasing their commitment to early-stage innovation. His contributions helped position ParaFi Capital at the forefront of crypto venture capital, backing projects that have since become cornerstones of the Web3 landscape.

Since December 2023, Santos has transitioned from institutional investing to building, co-founding Aura Finance in January 2024. This move underscores his entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on approach to the blockchain industry. His extensive experience in evaluating and scaling crypto ventures from an investor's perspective provides him with a unique vantage point as a builder, further solidifying his influence within the digital asset community.