Kamino Hires Yieldstreet Co-Founder Michael Weisz as CEO
Solana lending protocol Kamino appointed Michael Weisz, co-founder of fintech platform Yieldstreet, as CEO to lead U.S. institutional expansion. The move signals the protocol's pivot toward tokenized assets and traditional finance partnerships from a new New York headquarters.
Written by CoinArticle’s AI Newsroom · from 4 cited sources. How we work
Story Updates
- Updated Sep 21, 2026, 10:06 AM: Story confirmed and resourced via Bitcoinist reporting on institutional expansion announcement.
- Updated Sep 16, 2026, 07:10 AM: Additional coverage from Crypto.news confirms tokenized asset lending expansion and New York team build-out.
Leadership Change and Strategic Shift
Kamino, a Solana-based lending protocol, named Michael Weisz as CEO effective immediately. Weisz previously co-founded Yieldstreet, a fintech platform connecting accredited investors with alternative assets. The hire marks Kamino's formal entry into institutional and Wall Street markets, with Weisz overseeing operations from a newly established New York headquarters.
Scale and Market Position
Kamino currently manages $1.35 billion in total value locked and $1.02 billion in active loans, according to DefiLlama. The protocol ranks among Solana's largest lending platforms by this measure. The appointment of a CEO with traditional finance credentials signals the protocol's intention to expand beyond the native crypto market into tokenized asset offerings and institutional partnerships.
Institutional Expansion Plans
Weisz's background in alternative asset distribution positions him to bridge DeFi and traditional finance channels. Kamino is building out U.S. institutional capabilities, with the New York headquarters serving as a hub for regulatory engagement and partnership development with conventional financial institutions. Specific product roadmap details for tokenized asset integration remain undisclosed.
Why It Matters
For Traders
Institutional inflows driven by traditional finance expertise may increase Kamino liquidity depth and collateral availability, affecting borrowing and lending rates.
For Investors
The hire reinforces DeFi protocols' trajectory toward regulated financial infrastructure; Kamino's New York presence suggests a path to bridging on-chain lending with institutional capital.
For Builders
Tokenized asset integration into a major Solana lending protocol may standardize on-chain collateral wrapping and settlement patterns for other protocols to adopt.
This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.
