Key Takeaways
- Taiyang Zhang co-founded Ren Protocol and helped lead several major blockchain and crypto projects as a seasoned entrepreneur.
- Zhang began in 2014 with Neucode, building custom tech and stepping into software engineering and decentralized systems.
- He co-founded Virgil Capital, a cryptocurrency hedge fund that utilizes data and algorithms to trade digital assets across global markets.
Taiyang Zhang is an experienced crypto founder who has started several projects in the blockchain industry. He co-founded Ren Protocol and initially served as CEO before transitioning into an advisory role. Zhang was also a Venture Partner at Alameda Research and helped start KeeperDAO. He is originally from Canberra, Australia, and briefly studied Computer Science at the Australian National University.
Early Career In Software Development
Taiyang Zhang started his business journey in 2014 by launching Neucode, a software development company he co-founded with Loong Wang and Jaz Gulati. The company focused on creating custom tech solutions, marking Zhang’s first step into the world of software engineering and decentralized systems. This early work became a key part of his foundation as he progressed to larger projects in blockchain infrastructure.
As blockchain technology evolved, Zhang co-founded Virgil Capital, a cryptocurrency hedge fund that leveraged data and algorithms to trade digital assets across global markets. The firm’s approach reflected Zhang’s early conviction that crypto was a strong area for utilizing automated and math-based strategies. This helped make Virgil Capital a modern and forward-thinking company in the digital finance space.
In July 2017, Zhang and Wang started Republic Protocol, which was later renamed Ren. Based in Singapore, Ren was created to address a major issue in blockchain—how to transfer assets between different blockchains securely and privately. Zhang took on the role of CEO, Wang was the CTO, and Gulati worked as the Lead Developer. The project’s first goal was to build a decentralized dark pool. This system enables users to execute large cryptocurrency trades privately, thereby helping to prevent price manipulation and front-running.
Ren’s Launch and Core Technology
Ren officially launched in January 2018. Its system worked as a decentralized custodian, which means it held original assets (like Bitcoin) and created matching tokens (like renBTC) on other blockchains (such as Ethereum). This setup enables users to participate in DeFi apps on Ethereum while retaining assets from other chains. It helped connect separate blockchain systems. Zhang said this was a significant step toward creating a more open and interconnected crypto world.
Wrapped Bitcoin and Integration with Alameda Research
In January 2019, Ren took part in the release of the Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) whitepaper. This was a crucial step that introduced the concept of converting Bitcoin into ERC-20 tokens, enabling it to be utilized on Ethereum-based DeFi platforms. Ren’s system for safely holding and moving assets worked well with this new idea.
By February 2021, the Ren team had partnered with Alameda Research, one of the leading crypto trading companies at the time. The goal of the partnership was to grow Ren’s network of available assets and speed up its development.
KeeperDAO and On-Chain Coordination
In 2019, Zhang co-founded KeeperDAO with Tiantian Kullander. The project came from a partnership between Amber Group (co-founded by Kullander) and Talo Systems, Zhang’s blockchain research company. KeeperDAO developed tools to manage Miner Extractable Value (MEV) through teamwork-based strategies. The goal was to eliminate unfair advantages in decentralized finance by facilitating collaboration between arbitrage traders and liquidity providers to achieve fairer market results.
Biotech Pivot: Automera and AUTAC Development
Zhang expanded his work in 2022 by moving into the biotechnology field. He co-founded Automera, a company focused on scientific research that develops Autophagy-Targeting Chimera (AUTAC) molecules. These special molecules are made to trigger the body’s natural cell-cleaning system (autophagy) to remove harmful proteins. Automera quickly raised $16 million in early funding, with support from a venture group backed by Temasek, Singapore’s state-owned investment company.
Quantum-Driven Drug Discovery: QDX
Building on his move into advanced technology, Zhang started QDX in 2023, a platform that focuses on finding new drugs using quantum mechanics. QDX employs a modern method for modeling molecules, enabling more precise simulations of how drugs interact with the body. The goal is to discover effective treatments for hard-to-treat diseases and targets that were once out of reach by using accurate science and quantum computing.
Vision and Philosophical Approach
A simple idea guides Taiyang Zhang’s work: harnessing powerful technology to solve problems and enable people to accomplish more. In blockchain, this means removing central control, protecting privacy, and building open systems that anyone can use.
In biotech, it means utilizing computers and quantum tools to develop new medical solutions more efficiently. Zhang views innovation as a means to make things fair, whether in terms of money or health. He believes that openness, sharing control, and automation are not just tech features, but key ideas for building a better future.
Final Thoughts
Taiyang Zhang’s journey shows a potent combination of vision, skill, and curiosity across different fields. From creating key tools in blockchain to utilizing quantum science to discover new medicines, he continually pushes the boundaries of what technology can achieve. His work always focuses on making systems more open, fair, and efficient. Whether in crypto or biotech, Zhang is a leader who uses innovation not just to build new things, but to help create a more connected, honest, and fair world for everyone.
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