David Stancel

Building at the frontier of digital sovereignty

Crypto OG · a16z Backed Founder · Founder of Polystate · Author of Coinstory

About Me

01

Builder & Entrepreneur

Founder

Polystate

Multijurisdictional setup & digital sovereignty platform. Helping individuals and businesses navigate multi-country setups — residencies, companies, banking, and compliance across jurisdictions.

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Cofounder

Cork Protocol

Novel DeFi primitive for depeg protection. Accelerated by a16z crypto CSX in New York City, building infrastructure for on-chain risk management.

$7M raised, led by a16z

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Cofounder, ex-CTO

Fumbi

Crypto brokerage making digital assets accessible to everyday users. Served as CTO and Board Member, scaling the platform to 150K users and earning Superbrand recognition.

$4M raised, 150K users

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Cofounder

Amagi Labs

Bootstrapped Web3 consulting agency advising enterprises and startups on blockchain strategy, tokenization, and decentralized architecture.

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Founder

Polystate

Multijurisdictional setup & digital sovereignty platform. Helping individuals and businesses navigate multi-country setups — residencies, companies, banking, and compliance across jurisdictions.

Visit website
Cofounder

Cork Protocol

Novel DeFi primitive for depeg protection. Accelerated by a16z crypto CSX in New York City, building infrastructure for on-chain risk management.

$7M raised, led by a16z

Visit website
Cofounder, ex-CTO

Fumbi

Crypto brokerage making digital assets accessible to everyday users. Served as CTO and Board Member, scaling the platform to 150K users and earning Superbrand recognition.

$4M raised, 150K users

Visit website
Cofounder

Amagi Labs

Bootstrapped Web3 consulting agency advising enterprises and startups on blockchain strategy, tokenization, and decentralized architecture.

Visit website
02

Book Author — Coinstory

A decade of research compressed into one book. Coinstory traces the full history of Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency revolution — from the cypherpunk origins to DeFi, NFTs, and the emerging digital economy. Published in 2022, it's used in university courses and crypto communities across Europe. Get the book →

Coinstory — The Evolution of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies
First Bitcoin Transaction
The Alchemist
Billion Dollar Pizza
Code to Gold
Ether Ultrasound
Hand of Cyber-God
The Revolutionists
Wired Cover
First Bitcoin Transaction
The Alchemist
Billion Dollar Pizza
Code to Gold
Ether Ultrasound
Hand of Cyber-God
The Revolutionists
Wired Cover
03

Advisor & Consultant

Blockchain IntegrationDigital AssetsTokenizationDeFi SolutionsTech StrategyRisk AssessmentMarket EntryDue Diligence

Slovak National Bank

The central bank of Slovakia and member of the Eurosystem. Provided expert consultations on cryptocurrency regulation, digital assets, and blockchain technology implications for monetary policy and financial stability.

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BDO

Global accounting and advisory network. Advised on blockchain strategy and digital asset integration for enterprise clients across Central Europe.

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PwC

Big 4 accounting and professional services firm. Consulted on blockchain use cases, digital asset risk assessment, and crypto market analysis.

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Vacuumlabs

Leading fintech software house building products for crypto and banking. Advised on blockchain architecture, DeFi integrations, and Web3 product strategy.

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Aaro Capital

Digital asset investment fund focused on institutional-grade crypto exposure. Provided research and advisory on emerging protocols and DeFi opportunities.

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Novis

Insurance company exploring digital asset integration. Advised on tokenization strategies and blockchain applications in the insurance industry.

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KOUD

Blockchain venture building innovative decentralized solutions. Provided strategic advisory on product development and market positioning.

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Bethereum

Decentralized social betting platform built on Ethereum. Peer-to-peer wagering powered by smart contracts — no bookmaker, instant payouts, full transparency.

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The Fintechers

CEE fintech accelerator where top founders go to grow fast. Partnered with Mastercard, Raiffeisenbank, and Société Générale to support fintech builders.

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Deriverse

All-in-one trading ecosystem on Solana. Trade perpetuals, options, and futures on-chain with a trustless, decentralized infrastructure.

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Genifi

Aggregated distribution layer for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets. One SDK/API to mint, redeem, and settle across multiple issuers.

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Hyperjet

Yield platform for BTC, ETH, and SOL. Enabling crypto holders to generate returns on their major digital assets.

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Unlloo

DeFi protocol for under-collateralized loans based on reputation. Analyzes on-chain activity to determine borrowing capacity without over-collateralization.

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Eterbase

European crypto exchange offering compliant digital asset trading. One of the first regulated exchanges in the EU before ceasing operations.

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Slovak National Bank

The central bank of Slovakia and member of the Eurosystem. Provided expert consultations on cryptocurrency regulation, digital assets, and blockchain technology implications for monetary policy and financial stability.

Visit website

BDO

Global accounting and advisory network. Advised on blockchain strategy and digital asset integration for enterprise clients across Central Europe.

Visit website

PwC

Big 4 accounting and professional services firm. Consulted on blockchain use cases, digital asset risk assessment, and crypto market analysis.

Visit website

Vacuumlabs

Leading fintech software house building products for crypto and banking. Advised on blockchain architecture, DeFi integrations, and Web3 product strategy.

Visit website

Aaro Capital

Digital asset investment fund focused on institutional-grade crypto exposure. Provided research and advisory on emerging protocols and DeFi opportunities.

Visit website

Novis

Insurance company exploring digital asset integration. Advised on tokenization strategies and blockchain applications in the insurance industry.

Visit website

KOUD

Blockchain venture building innovative decentralized solutions. Provided strategic advisory on product development and market positioning.

Visit website

Bethereum

Decentralized social betting platform built on Ethereum. Peer-to-peer wagering powered by smart contracts — no bookmaker, instant payouts, full transparency.

Visit website

The Fintechers

CEE fintech accelerator where top founders go to grow fast. Partnered with Mastercard, Raiffeisenbank, and Société Générale to support fintech builders.

Visit website

Deriverse

All-in-one trading ecosystem on Solana. Trade perpetuals, options, and futures on-chain with a trustless, decentralized infrastructure.

Visit website

Genifi

Aggregated distribution layer for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets. One SDK/API to mint, redeem, and settle across multiple issuers.

Visit website

Hyperjet

Yield platform for BTC, ETH, and SOL. Enabling crypto holders to generate returns on their major digital assets.

Visit website

Unlloo

DeFi protocol for under-collateralized loans based on reputation. Analyzes on-chain activity to determine borrowing capacity without over-collateralization.

Visit website

Eterbase

European crypto exchange offering compliant digital asset trading. One of the first regulated exchanges in the EU before ceasing operations.

Visit website
04

Community Builder

Resident

Network School

A startup society for the techno-optimism movement. Building a community of builders, founders, and thinkers aligned on technology-driven progress.

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Ambassador

University of Nicosia

The world's first MSc in Digital Currencies. A pioneer in blockchain education since 2014, offering academic programs that bridge traditional academia with the crypto ecosystem.

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Fellow

Kernel Fellowship

Exploring the relationship between technology and the human spirit. A peer-learning community of builders creating a better web through open-source collaboration and shared knowledge.

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Shaper

Global Shapers

World Economic Forum network of young leaders driving change. A global community tackling local challenges through innovation, entrepreneurship, and collective action.

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Alumni

SingularityU

International community focused on exponential technologies. Connecting leaders across industries to leverage AI, blockchain, and emerging tech for positive global impact.

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Cofounder

Blockchain Slovakia

Educational NGO for blockchain and crypto in Slovakia. Organized dozens of meetups, workshops, and conferences to grow the local crypto community since 2017.

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Cofounder

Paralelna Polis

Crypto-native community hub and hackerspace in Bratislava. A physical space dedicated to decentralization, privacy, and alternative economic systems — accepting only crypto.

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Cofounder CZ

Students for Liberty

International network promoting liberty on university campuses. Co-founded the Czech chapter, building a student community around free markets, individual rights, and open society.

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Member

Feÿtopia

A collective of artists, entrepreneurs, activists, and technologists at Château du Feÿ in Burgundy, France. Prototyping alternative ways of living and organizing society through seasonal gatherings and experimental community models.

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Resident

Network School

A startup society for the techno-optimism movement. Building a community of builders, founders, and thinkers aligned on technology-driven progress.

Visit website
Ambassador

University of Nicosia

The world's first MSc in Digital Currencies. A pioneer in blockchain education since 2014, offering academic programs that bridge traditional academia with the crypto ecosystem.

Visit website
Fellow

Kernel Fellowship

Exploring the relationship between technology and the human spirit. A peer-learning community of builders creating a better web through open-source collaboration and shared knowledge.

Visit website
Shaper

Global Shapers

World Economic Forum network of young leaders driving change. A global community tackling local challenges through innovation, entrepreneurship, and collective action.

Visit website
Alumni

SingularityU

International community focused on exponential technologies. Connecting leaders across industries to leverage AI, blockchain, and emerging tech for positive global impact.

Visit website
Cofounder

Blockchain Slovakia

Educational NGO for blockchain and crypto in Slovakia. Organized dozens of meetups, workshops, and conferences to grow the local crypto community since 2017.

Visit website
Cofounder

Paralelna Polis

Crypto-native community hub and hackerspace in Bratislava. A physical space dedicated to decentralization, privacy, and alternative economic systems — accepting only crypto.

Visit website
Cofounder CZ

Students for Liberty

International network promoting liberty on university campuses. Co-founded the Czech chapter, building a student community around free markets, individual rights, and open society.

Visit website
Member

Feÿtopia

A collective of artists, entrepreneurs, activists, and technologists at Château du Feÿ in Burgundy, France. Prototyping alternative ways of living and organizing society through seasonal gatherings and experimental community models.

Visit website
05

Speaker

InvestSummit 2022UTXO 2022Readycon 2021/2022WeAreDevelopers 2021Aeternity Universe 2019FuturePort Prague 2019/2021IXPO 2019IBM Perspective 2019Globsec 2018Blockwalks 2018/2019FutureNow Conf 2018XIXOIO Conference 2018Cybercentral 2018/2019Softecon 2018Hackers Congress 2016/2017LibertyCon 2017InvestSummit 2022UTXO 2022Readycon 2021/2022WeAreDevelopers 2021Aeternity Universe 2019FuturePort Prague 2019/2021IXPO 2019IBM Perspective 2019Globsec 2018Blockwalks 2018/2019FutureNow Conf 2018XIXOIO Conference 2018Cybercentral 2018/2019Softecon 2018Hackers Congress 2016/2017LibertyCon 2017
Keynote at Paralelna Polis
Main stage at XXOO Conference
Blockchain regulation keynote
With Vitalik Buterin at Devcon
Polkadot conference panel
Swiss Re Future→Now panel
Bitcoin Plan B conference
PwC university lecture
Innovation Geeks meetup
University lecture
Keynote at Paralelna Polis
Main stage at XXOO Conference
Blockchain regulation keynote
With Vitalik Buterin at Devcon
Polkadot conference panel
Swiss Re Future→Now panel
Bitcoin Plan B conference
PwC university lecture
Innovation Geeks meetup
University lecture
06

Educator

Lecturer

Slovak University of Technology

Slovakia’s top technical university with 11,000+ students and 7 faculties. Launched the first full-semester cryptocurrency course here in 2019 — covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, and blockchain architecture.

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Guest Lecturer

University of Economics

Slovakia's largest university specializing in economics and management education. Founded in 1940, EUBA holds AACSB accreditation and has produced over 121,000 graduates. Delivered guest lectures on blockchain technology and digital assets.

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Online Course

Ethereum, DeFi, NFT & Metaverse

Intermediate-level course exploring Ethereum, smart contracts, DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave, stablecoins, NFTs, and the metaverse. 14 chapters covering the second largest cryptocurrency ecosystem in depth.

Visit website
Online Course

Introduction to Cryptocurrencies

Beginner-friendly course covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain fundamentals, DeFi, NFTs, wallet security, and investment risks. 24 chapters demystifying digital assets for complete newcomers. Rated 5.0 stars.

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Seminar

Slovak National Bank

The central bank of Slovakia. Delivered professional seminars on cryptocurrency regulation, digital assets, and blockchain technology implications for monetary policy and financial stability.

Visit website
Seminar

Mini Tech MBA

IT academy for women offering structured programs in tech skills and digital competencies. Delivered blockchain and cryptocurrency seminars as part of their premium curriculum in Bratislava.

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Seminar

O2

Major telecommunications operator in Slovakia. Conducted professional seminars on blockchain technology, digital transformation, and cryptocurrency applications for enterprise teams.

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Seminar

ČSOB

One of the largest banks in Slovakia, part of the KBC Group. Led professional seminars on cryptocurrency markets, blockchain in banking, and digital asset risk assessment for financial professionals.

Visit website
Lecturer

Slovak University of Technology

Slovakia’s top technical university with 11,000+ students and 7 faculties. Launched the first full-semester cryptocurrency course here in 2019 — covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, and blockchain architecture.

Visit website
Guest Lecturer

University of Economics

Slovakia's largest university specializing in economics and management education. Founded in 1940, EUBA holds AACSB accreditation and has produced over 121,000 graduates. Delivered guest lectures on blockchain technology and digital assets.

Visit website
Online Course

Ethereum, DeFi, NFT & Metaverse

Intermediate-level course exploring Ethereum, smart contracts, DeFi protocols like Uniswap and Aave, stablecoins, NFTs, and the metaverse. 14 chapters covering the second largest cryptocurrency ecosystem in depth.

Visit website
Online Course

Introduction to Cryptocurrencies

Beginner-friendly course covering Bitcoin, Ethereum, blockchain fundamentals, DeFi, NFTs, wallet security, and investment risks. 24 chapters demystifying digital assets for complete newcomers. Rated 5.0 stars.

Visit website
Seminar

Slovak National Bank

The central bank of Slovakia. Delivered professional seminars on cryptocurrency regulation, digital assets, and blockchain technology implications for monetary policy and financial stability.

Visit website
Seminar

Mini Tech MBA

IT academy for women offering structured programs in tech skills and digital competencies. Delivered blockchain and cryptocurrency seminars as part of their premium curriculum in Bratislava.

Visit website
Seminar

O2

Major telecommunications operator in Slovakia. Conducted professional seminars on blockchain technology, digital transformation, and cryptocurrency applications for enterprise teams.

Visit website
Seminar

ČSOB

One of the largest banks in Slovakia, part of the KBC Group. Led professional seminars on cryptocurrency markets, blockchain in banking, and digital asset risk assessment for financial professionals.

Visit website