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Kalia Samaroo has basically done it all. Seriously, check your resume.
Previously a capital markets lawyer specializing in corporate securities, he is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur, lawyer, and executive who co-founded First Coin Capital, a blockchain investment bank that was acquired by Galaxy Digital. He then served as General Counsel and CCO at First Block Capital, a crypto fund manager acquired by Galaxy Digital Canada and 3iQ. Mr. Samaroo has advised Netcoins, Hut8, FINTRAC, and the British Columbia Securities Commission on fintech issues.
He also co-founded footwear brand FR33DOM, deepfake detection platform BitMind, and founded Atlas One Digital Securities, while advising Flair Airlines and BIGG Digital Assets.
Perhaps his most important role to date was as co-founder and CEO of WonderFi, a cryptocurrency company founded in 2021 to operate, grow, and invest in the global digital asset ecosystem. The company entered the competitive market amid increased regulatory scrutiny in the wake of the Quadriga scandal, in which many Canadians lost money when the exchange collapsed.
“What we saw was an opportunity to consolidate Canadian crypto exchanges,” Samaroo said. “There were a lot of different companies competing for the same customers, and the customers didn't really care about the brand. They just wanted something that was safe and easy to use.”
Under Samaroo's leadership, WonderFi expanded into stocks, ETFs, staking, gaming, and international markets including the UK, Australia, and the US. He assembled a diverse leadership team with expertise in cryptocurrencies and traditional finance, promoted female representation, and positioned WonderFi as a compliant digital asset ecosystem.
Lead investor Kevin O'Leary reduced customer acquisition costs, facilitated $250 million in mergers with Bitbuy, Coinberry, Blockchain Foundry and others, and consolidated Canada's crypto market. WonderFi has become the largest crypto platform in the country with 2 million users and $1.5 billion in assets under custody.
“I had a lot of experience working with Canadian regulators, and I saw a slightly different path to get to where we wanted to go,” Samaroo recalls. “I think my background as a lawyer in the crypto industry was extremely helpful. Two of the biggest challenges we overcame were competition and regulation.”
The words of the Dalai Lama, “Learn the rules, and you will know how to break them properly” perfectly reflect Samaroo's approach. As a lawyer, he mastered legal intricacies, thrived in a regulated environment, and learned from top entrepreneurs. His style evolved by adopting effective methods and avoiding ineffective ones. He quickly realized that there was no point in worrying about product maturity, co-founder suitability, timing, market conditions, etc. because hesitation would only slow progress.
“If there is one characteristic that all people have in common, [the] “The people I look up to or try to emulate, it's about minimizing hang-ups and maximizing speed,” he explains. “It all starts with speed. Speed is everything. Being able to act quickly is paramount.”
“Big companies have no problem exploiting people. They have cleverly shifted this burden and moral obligation onto consumers, when in fact we should be focusing on them.” There is.”
Kalia Samaroo
Samaroo stepped down as CEO in October 2022, but remained on the board to support WonderFi's strategy and growth. His role as a co-founder and one of the few people of color leading a publicly traded company reflects an important milestone in the industry related to the evolution of his identity.
Formerly Ben Samalou, he changed his name to Kalia after spending 10 years reconnecting with his heritage. Born to a Guyanese father and a Kenyan mother, he moved to Canada in 1989 and his journey began at the age of 14. The derogatory term “coolie” reveals the history of families forced to migrate from India as indentured servants. His grandfather's transition from slavery to freedom in the British Caribbean strengthened his resolve.
In 2022, disillusioned with Britain's colonial legacy, he renounced his British citizenship following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. He discovered that “Karia” meant “free man” and adopted the name so that future generations could preserve his heritage.
“The name Kalia was a name that was lost during this migration, but it felt really meaningful to me. I decided to bring it back,” Samaroo said. Masu. “It's rather symbolic to me, and I think carrying on that name will help.”
Samaroo advocates for social justice and corporate responsibility, highlighting underrepresented communities. He argues that companies, not consumers, should be held accountable for their actions. With 50 million people still in slavery around the world, according to the United Nations' International Labor Organization, he sees this as a critical freedom issue and calls for scrutiny of the companies that perpetuate it.
“I think this is a way for big corporations to get away from exploiting people, when in fact I think we should be focusing on corporations, and they are cleverly managing this burden and moral obligation. It's passed on to the consumer.”
He likens big corporations to modern-day slave owners, exploiting vulnerable people with little accountability. He traveled to Nepal and India, where he met with non-profit organizations, survivors and experts to remember and understand his ancestors under British colonial rule. Despite the complexity of supply chains, he argues that companies need to engage more directly with affected communities.
“It's very easy to think you can solve this problem by throwing money at it. That's simply not true,” Samaroo argues. “To make that happen, we need to take the time to understand and listen.”
With a new name, the emerging activist found himself sought after by like-minded collaborators. Although not intended, new names often surprise and arouse curiosity. Shared experiences like migration can deepen connections, and while some may find them unusual, others relate on a deeper level.
“It's a great conversation starter. I've been able to connect with a lot of people who are doing really cool things by putting it out there.”
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