Conviction over doubt: Yat Siu on building web3’s most influential unicorn

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Co-founder and executive chairman of web3 gaming unicorn Animoca Brands, few people in crypto haven’t heard of Yat Siu—with the exception of the gatekeepers to the media lounge at TOKEN2049. “They wouldn’t let me in!” he exclaims, a little flustered as we finally meet on the stairway several minutes late. Industry legend or no, the only currency here is a media badge. I enjoy my newfound power for a moment.

I smile and extend my hand. “Lovely to meet you,” I say. “It’s a pleasure,” he replies, handing me his business card with his direct line and mobile number on the front. Despite being one of web3’s most influential people, Yat Siu has nothing of the behemoth egos that accompany many other crypto founders. He isn’t even surrounded by an entourage of executive assistants or PR reps with click-clacking heels, managing to find his own way here instead.

He’s down to earth, humble, and polite, speaking eloquently without losing his thread, and firmly only when necessary (like one of the many times my media colleagues try to interrupt, including Wolf of All Streets Scott Melker attempting to steal Yat away). “I’m actually in an interview now,” he interjects, smiling, “but I believe we have a meeting later.”

From good Asian kid to industry titan

Born in Vienna and residing in Hong Kong, Yat’s journey is the stuff of legends. Son of an opera singer/director mother and instrumentalist father, he grew up studying music at his parents’ insistence, “like a good Asian kid,” despite his passion for gaming and desire to put his energies elsewhere. Yet, music would become a stepping stone on his path to success.

“It’s because of music that I started writing composition software,” he explains, “and that got me into tech. Back then, there was no computer science degree. It was more like just code, and through a free internet service called CompuServe, I got discovered and got a job at Atari.”

Studying at the Vienna Music Conservatory, Yat was “very much in the minority” learning many more lessons besides music co

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Author: Christina Comben

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