Gustavo H. leads senior business development and strategic partnerships at Kairon Labs, a global algorithmic market maker. With over 15 years of experience in capital markets, he brings a deep understanding of financial strategy and cross-border dealmaking. At Kairon Labs, he applies that expertise to expand the firm’s presence across key regions and drive long-term, compliant partnerships in the digital asset space.
How did your crypto journey begin?
It started with a tough, personal experience. When I was 15, my father passed away. He was wealthy, but shortly after his death, a woman came forward claiming to be his partner, and a man claimed to be his son.
Under Brazilian inheritance law, this triggered a legal process that froze all his assets. It took 11 years to resolve, and by the end, most of the value had eroded.
That experience taught me that anything can be taken from you if a higher power decides so.
Later, someone introduced me to Bitcoin. It was the first asset I’d encountered that couldn’t be taken from you, as long as you held the keys. That moment changed everything for me.
What year was that?
Early 2013.
Did you jump right into working in crypto?
I started as an investor. In 2017, I took a sabbatical and joined a tech course in Brazil focused on emerging technologies. I pitched a mining company operating out of shipping containers.
We even raised seed money from one of Coinbase’s early backers. That startup didn’t succeed, but it opened a lot of doors and kept me in the space..
What does your day-to-day look like at Kairon Labs?
It’s pretty fast-paced. I’m on constant calls with clients and partners, monitoring the markets, and working with the trading team on strategy.
No two days are the same.
You’ve lived in Latin America and spent time in Asia and the Middle East. How has that shaped your approach to partnerships?
In Asia and the Middle East, people are direct. Business comes first, and there’s not much small talk. I respect that approach. It accelerates the process and builds trust more quickly.
Kairon’s proprietary trading software is a big part of your strategy. How customisable is it?
Every token behaves differently, so we tailor our strategy accordingly. Our systems provide the foundation, but our team adapts them based on the unique needs of each project.
Market makers in crypto often come under scrutiny. Where do you draw the line between supporting liquidity and manipulating it?
It’s a fine line, and that’s where our values come in.
There are actors out there engaging in wash trading and other shady tactics. We’ve made a clear decision to separate ourselves from that. We welcome regulation and operate with full compliance.
Our goal is to create healthier, more transparent markets.
How do you handle clients who ask you to artificially inflate their token?
It happens more than you’d think. We’ve been clear from day one: we don’t do that.
We only work with teams that align with our ethical and professional standards.
Do you focus on any specific sector of tokens?
We’re sector-agnostic but strict on KYC and compliance. We avoid memecoins entirely. Our clients range from DeFi and RWA projects to some in the gaming space..
With MiCA’s anti-market abuse rules on the horizon, how is Kairon preparing?
Compliance has been a core pillar of ours from the beginning. We’re already structured to meet regulatory requirements and are in the process of acquiring local licences.
Kairon stayed clear of the FTX collapse fallout. What helped?
I wasn’t at the company at the time, so I can’t speak to the specifics. But the Kairon team identified early red flags and avoided any exposure.
You’ve worked with over 500 projects — what separates the best ones?
Professionalism. In crypto, that’s still a rare trait. The best teams are consistent, follow through on what they say, and don’t chase every new trend.
Are you using AI in your work?
Personally, yes. All the time. I use AI like a second brain to test ideas and ask better questions. It helps with thinking more clearly and quickly.
What does the market maker of 2030 look like?
I don’t like making predictions, but I believe it comes down to consistency and adaptability. Show up, do the work, and move with the market.
Is most of your market making on centralised or decentralised exchanges?
Mostly centralised exchanges. We don’t currently support DEX-only launches due to technical and compliance concerns.
What kind of challenges?
I can’t go into all the details, but slippage, gas fees, and the lack of structured oversight make DEX-only environments more difficult to work in.
Outside of work, what areas are you most bullish on?
Personally, I’m bullish on the Bitcoin ecosystem and real-world assets. I think Bitcoin is undervalued in terms of what can be built on top of it.
RWAs are gaining traction. And AI, though I see it as a foundational layer, similar to the internet.
With the halving and concerns over its security budget, do you think Bitcoin needs more economic activity?
I think Bitcoin’s rise is inevitable. Whether slow or fast, it’ll continue to grow in value and security. It’s the most secure database in the world, and I believe that foundation will hold.
Do you have a take on ordinals?
Not really. I don’t follow that space closely, and I’d rather admit what I don’t know than pretend otherwise.