Josh Fraser is the co-founder of Origin Protocol, a company focused on decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) technologies. Over the course of his career, Fraser has co-founded several technology startups and contributed to advancements in web performance, blockchain technology, and software development. ^{[1] [2] [3] [7] [8]}

Education

Fraser completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Clemson University between 2002 and 2006. He began programming at the age of 10, which provided an early foundation for his career in technology and entrepreneurship. ^{[1] [2] [9]}

Career

Josh Fraser's career is marked by his extensive experience as a co-founder and advisor across multiple industries. In 2017, he co-founded Origin Protocol, a company that develops blockchain-based tools to facilitate decentralized finance and commerce. Its notable offerings include the Origin Dollar (OUSD), a stablecoin that generates yield, and Origin Story, a platform designed for launching NFT collections. Alongside his work at Origin, Fraser has been actively involved in angel investing and advising through the Unfair Advantage initiative, where he has supported projects such as Solana, Biconomy, and XMTP. His investments span industries like blockchain, robotics, and aerospace, and he has also partnered with several venture funds as a limited partner.

Prior to Origin, Fraser co-founded PriceSlash in 2016, a platform aimed at helping consumers reduce household expenses. The company became profitable shortly after its launch and was later acquired by Billshark. Between 2013 and 2015, he served as co-founder and CTO of Din (previously Forage), where he worked on a meal-kit delivery service that simplified home cooking by providing pre-prepped ingredients. Earlier, Fraser co-founded Torbit in 2010, a company specializing in web performance optimization for major clients like Microsoft and Amazon. Torbit was acquired by Walmart Labs in 2013.

His entrepreneurial journey began in 2007 with EventVue, a platform designed to enhance networking at conferences by connecting attendees through social networking tools. Around the same time, he briefly served as CTO of Curio Solutions, a consulting agency focused on technological solutions. ^{[1] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

Interviews

Josh Fraser on DeFi and the Future of Origin Protocol #01

In an interview aired on May 31, 2024, on the YouTube channel "Cryptonews Spotlight", Josh Fraser, co-founder of Origin Protocol, shared insights into his journey in technology and decentralized finance (DeFi). According to Fraser, his early introduction to coding at the age of 10 played a pivotal role in shaping his understanding of technology and fostering his entrepreneurial drive.

During the discussion, Fraser detailed the development of Origin Protocol and its focus on innovative DeFi products like Origin Dollar (OUSD) and Origin Ether, aimed at enhancing yield generation for users in the cryptocurrency space. He highlighted the protocol's efforts to address common challenges in the DeFi ecosystem, such as high gas fees and scalability, through the adoption of Layer 2 solutions. These advancements, Fraser noted, not only reduce transaction costs but also open new opportunities for yield optimization.

Fraser elaborated on the concept of liquid staking, emphasizing its ability to maintain user liquidity while still offering staking rewards, a significant improvement over traditional staking methods, which often lock up assets. He also introduced the Automated Redemption Manager, a new pricing mechanism designed to improve liquidity and accuracy in valuing redeemable assets, which he believes could transform how liquid staking tokens are utilized.

Looking to the future, Fraser expressed optimism about the evolution of the DeFi space, particularly as Layer 2 integrations and other technological advancements make decentralized finance more scalable and accessible. He underscored the importance of community engagement, inviting users to connect with him and Origin Protocol through social media channels to contribute to the ongoing development and growth of the ecosystem. ^[10]

Josh Fraser on Blockchain’s Role in Peer-to-Peer Commerce #02

In an interview aired on April 21, 2021, on the "Clemson University MBA Program" channel, Josh Fraser, co-founder and CEO of Origin Protocol, discussed his insights into decentralized finance (DeFi) and the transformative potential of blockchain technology. Fraser outlined how blockchain is reshaping peer-to-peer commerce by eliminating intermediaries and providing a trustless, secure alternative for financial transactions.

Fraser highlighted Origin Protocol's mission to create a more equitable financial system by enabling direct interactions between buyers and sellers. He explained the distinct roles of the platform's tokens: OUSD, a stablecoin designed for yield generation, and OGN, a token for speculative investment and governance purposes. This dual-token system, Fraser noted, reflects the versatility of blockchain-based assets in meeting diverse financial needs.

The discussion also touched on the broader adoption of cryptocurrencies, with Fraser referencing companies like MicroStrategy and Tesla that have incorporated Bitcoin into their balance sheets as a hedge against inflation. According to Fraser, such institutional interest underscores the growing legitimacy of crypto as a mainstream asset class.

Fraser emphasized the global impact of decentralization, which enables financial innovation across borders and creates new opportunities for individuals to manage wealth more effectively. He encouraged innovators to leverage opportunities and embrace risk, suggesting that those willing to adapt quickly to emerging technologies could achieve significant success.

The conversation also explored the evolving financial landscape, including the potential introduction of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Fraser pointed out that these developments highlight the importance of staying informed and agile as financial systems continue to modernize, offering new tools for personal freedom and economic choice. ^[11]