# Danyel Arenas > Danyel Arenas is a person who is the co-founder and CEO of Kii Global and leads the development and business activities around KiiChain, a blockchain-focused payments and RWA platform for emerging markets. - Canonical URL: https://iq.wiki/wiki/danyel-arenas - Categories: People in crypto - Tags: Founder, Investor, Speaker - Created: 2026-09-14T03:31:28.018Z - Last updated: 2026-09-14T03:47:20.170Z - Source: IQ.wiki — the world's largest blockchain and crypto encyclopedia (https://iq.wiki) --- **Danyel Arenas** is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Kii Global, a [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) company based in Bogotá, Colombia. He has led Kii Global since its founding in January 2021 and also serves as the founder-CEO of [KiiChain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain), the company's blockchain network.[\[1\]](#cite-id-naaj9brd3h)​[\[2\]](#cite-id-go6npbdg1t) [YOUTUBE@VID](9JluWmvFMLM) ## Early Life and Education Arenas studied Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Finance at the University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.[[1]](#cite-id-naaj9brd3h) He is based in Bogotá D.C., in Colombia's Capital District.[[1]](#cite-id-naaj9brd3h) ## Career Danyel Arenas has held positions in investment banking, asset management, financial planning, biotechnology, [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) trading, and PayFi infrastructure. His professional experience includes companies operating in Colombia and across Latin America. ### Investment Banking and Asset Management Arenas worked as a Financial Consultant at dinamo consultores from 2010 to 2013. He describes the position as an investment banking analyst role. The Bogotá-based firm provided services involving company acquisitions and sales, resource management, financial advisory, entrepreneurship development, and structured projects. During the same period, Arenas worked at BBC Management, serving as an Asset Manager from 2010 to 2015. He describes BBC Management as a growth capital private equity fund founded in 2010. ### CAMPOLLO S.A. From 2014 to 2018, Arenas was Director of Financial Planning at CAMPOLLO S.A. According to his profile, the company was founded in 2002 and headquartered in Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia. He identifies CAMPOLLO S.A. as the third-largest poultry company in Colombia and describes its annual revenue as ranging from $100 million to $150 million, with operations involving personnel in Colombia, Poland, and the Dominican Republic. Cargill acquired the company in 2018. ### BiioSmart Technologies Arenas founded BiioSmart Technologies in 2014 and served as its Founder and CEO from 2015 to 2022. He describes the company as a biotechnology research business involved in the development of molecules and the distribution of essential medications. BiioSmart Technologies operated in biotechnology and pharmaceutical fulfillment across Latin America. According to Arenas's profile, the company held a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing license and was headquartered in Bogotá, Cundinamarca, with a presence in the United States. ### Inmersión Capital From 2020 to 2023, Arenas served as Managing Director of Inmersión Capital. He describes the firm as a $4 million digital asset over-the-counter (OTC) trading fund and market maker. OTC transactions involve direct trading between counterparties outside [centralized exchanges](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cex-centralized-exchange), while market-making activities involve providing buy and sell prices for assets. Inmersión Capital is listed as a venture capital and private equity company. Arenas's position at the firm preceded his work in the PayFi sector. ### Kii Global Arenas has served as Co-founder and CEO of [Kii](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) Global since 2021. His role involves the development of application and infrastructure solutions for PayFi in Latin America. In September 2025, Arenas discussed access to financing for small and medium-sized businesses in emerging markets. He referred to family-owned businesses in Colombia that operate businesses involving physical goods but may face difficulties obtaining financing from traditional banks. He cited agricultural produce trading as an example and referred to this issue as a gap in the banking system. In September 2025, [KiiChain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) promoted a livestreamed discussion titled "The Future of a New Economy in Emerging Markets — Live w/ Danyel Arenas & Ice," which Arenas referenced. In July 2024, Arenas also discussed the expansion of the [Cosmos](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cosmos) ecosystem into Medellín, Colombia, in the context of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) community events in the region. [\[1\]](#cite-id-naaj9brd3h) [\[2\]](#cite-id-go6npbdg1t) [\[3\]](#cite-id-ftiymcunlc) ## Interviews #### Danyel Arenas on KiiChain and Financial Infrastructure #01 On April 13, 2026, Danyel Arenas, CEO and co-founder of KiiChain, appeared on the Proof of Person show published by the [KiiChain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) YouTube channel. During the interview, he discussed his professional background in traditional finance, his involvement with [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency), and the development of KiiChain. [YOUTUBE@VID](9JluWmvFMLM) Arenas described [KiiChain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) as a financial infrastructure project using blockchain technology for foreign exchange and banking services, with an initial focus on Latin America and other emerging markets. He identified the cost and processing time associated with cross-border transactions as areas that the project seeks to address. According to Arenas, the infrastructure is intended to facilitate foreign exchange transactions and transfers using [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) networks as an alternative to conventional banking settlement systems. He also outlined the services planned for [KiiChain's](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) banking platform. These include cross-border payments, U.S. bank accounts, savings and yield products, [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking), tokenized assets, and debit and credit cards. Arenas stated that the platform is intended to accommodate both [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) users and customers who primarily use conventional financial services. Arenas attributed the project's regional focus to his experience in Latin America and described interactions with financial institutions, businesses, and users across the region. He discussed KiiChain's participation in industry conferences and its work with regional companies as part of its development process. He also stated that financial institutions and investment funds had expressed interest in working with the project. Regarding regulation, he said that [KiiChain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) had applied for licenses in El Salvador and had received one at the time of the interview, while another application was still being processed. The interview also addressed [KiiChain's](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) [testnet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/testnet), [mainnet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/mainnet) development, and planned token generation event. Arenas referred to millions of wallets participating in the testnet and described user feedback as a source of information for subsequent product development. He stated that the technology and business infrastructure were prepared for launch, while discussions with [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) exchanges were still underway. He estimated that the launch could take place during the second or third quarter of 2026, while noting that the timing depended on the completion of those negotiations. Arenas further discussed the project's token distribution and vesting structure. He stated that the allocation for founders was scheduled to become available over a four-year period and explained that the structure was intended to reduce short-term selling incentives among project participants. He associated this approach with [KiiChain's](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) broader objective of developing financial infrastructure for Latin America and other emerging markets. The interview concluded with Arenas discussing his experience building KiiChain and offering advice to other developers and entrepreneurs. He emphasized the role of working with people who share a project's objectives and referred to his partnership with [KiiChain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/kiichain) co-founder [Alex](https://iq.wiki/wiki/alex-cavallero) as an example of maintaining collaboration during periods of difficulty. [\[4\]](#cite-id-0PQWnq1xrJuqalH7)