The abrupt and unexpected death of a young crypto pioneer at the age of only 30 has shocked the financial community. On November 23, Tiantian Kullander, the co-founder of the Hong Kong-based digital asset firm Amber Group, passed away in his sleep. The announcement was made on the website of the business “with the deepest sadness and a heavy heart.”
Amber was founded in 2017 by Kullander, also known as “TT,” and a group of industry insiders, including former Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group employees. Prior to that, he worked as a trader at both financial behemoths. In 2019, he was awarded a coveted spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, which honors the brightest young leaders and entrepreneurs. The startup raised $200 million in capital earlier this year, valuing itself at an astounding $3 billion.
The company described him as “essential to the foundation of Amber and a pillar of our success” when it was reported earlier this month that it was financing about $100 million.
Throughout every phase of the company’s development, he gave his all. With his intelligence, charity, humility, hard work, and inventiveness, he set an exemplary example for others to follow. TT was a well-known industry pioneer and a respected thinking leader. Numerous start-ups and people profited from his wealth of expertise, his readiness to work with others, and his constant desire to assist others.
“Many projects, people, and communities were inspired by his thoughts and ingenuity.”
According to the statement, in addition to co-founding Amber and “building it into a multi-billion fintech unicorn,” TT also established KeeperDAO, the first on-chain liquidity underwriter, and served on the board of Fnatic, one of the most successful e-sports organizations in the world. The statement reads, “We lost a terrific partner and a real friend in TT and words cannot explain our grief at this time. As this was TT’s ambition and dream, we will work even harder to make Amber the category-defining leader of our industry.
TT was an obedient husband, a kind parent, and a tenacious friend. His demise is tragic, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers. The financial industry has flooded social media with tributes to Kullander, with many insiders expressing their shock and sadness at his passing.
