Kyle Samani is an American investor and entrepreneur known for co-founding the cryptocurrency-focused investment firm Multicoin Capital. He is a prominent advocate for the Solana ecosystem and, as of September 2025, serves as the Chairman of Forward Industries. In February 2026, he stepped down from his role as Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital after nearly a decade with the firm. [1] [2]
Kyle Samani earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, where he studied from 2008 to 2012. [3]
Samani entered the cryptocurrency industry in 2016 through Ethereum, which he later stated was his "first meaningful source of wealth." In 2017, he co-founded Multicoin Capital with Tushar Jain. The firm was established as a thesis-driven investment vehicle dedicated exclusively to the crypto ecosystem. [1]
As Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Samani led Multicoin Capital from its inception in 2017 until early 2026. The firm, which has a global footprint, grew to manage several billion dollars in assets across both hedge funds and venture funds. Multicoin's strategy involves investing in both early-stage projects through its venture arm and liquid tokens through its hedge fund. The firm's Limited Partners (LPs) include a diverse group of institutional investors, such as university endowments, fund of funds, prominent technology investors, venture capital funds, and family offices. [3] [1]
Under Samani's leadership, Multicoin became known for making early, thesis-driven investments in projects before they gained widespread recognition. Notable early investments include Helium and Solana. The firm began investing in Solana in May 2018 and became one of its most vocal long-term supporters. A key part of Multicoin's strategy involved publishing detailed investment theses to the public; by January 2025, the firm had released five major theses on Solana, with the most recent titled "The Solana Thesis: Internet Capital Markets." [2] [1]
On February 4, 2026, Samani announced via a post on the social media platform X that he was stepping down from his role as Managing Partner at Multicoin Capital. He stated that he planned to take time off and "pursue other areas of tech." In his announcement, Samani reflected on his tenure, stating, "It's a bittersweet moment for me because my time at Multicoin has been some of the most meaningful and rewarding of my life." He also expressed continued confidence in the crypto industry's future, writing, "I’m more confident than ever that crypto is going to fundamentally rewire the circuitry of finance." [1] [4]
Following his departure, day-to-day operations at Multicoin Capital were taken over by his co-founder, Managing Partner Tushar Jain, and CFO/COO Brian Smith. The firm did not announce a direct replacement for Samani. Upon leaving, Samani requested an in-kind redemption in Forward Industries shares and warrants from the Multicoin Master Fund, maintaining his connection to the Solana-focused company. He noted that while he was stepping away from a professional role in the industry, he would continue to make personal investments in the crypto space. [1]