Tiantian Kullander: The Crypto King Gone Too Soon

Throughout his life, he wore many hats: a trader for some of the globe's premier financial entities, a co-founder of the unicorn entity Amber Group, a board member of the esports powerhouse Fnatic, and the architect of the KeeperDAO protocol.

A mysterious and untimely demise on November 23, 2022, halted his visionary pursuits. Tiantian went to sleep, never to awaken again. The reasons behind this young entrepreneur's sudden departure remain shrouded in mystery. It's hard to fathom the future heights that the so-called Hong Kong crypto king might have reached. His life spanned a mere 30 years, but the legacy he left is undeniably vast.

Born on July 14, 1992, in Beijing, the heart of the People's Republic of China, Tiantian Kullander came from a lineage of ichthyologists, with both his parents, Fang Fang Kullander and Sven Kullander, being experts in the field. Despite this academic backdrop, there was no predetermined career path for him. In 1994, when Tiantian was merely two years old, the Kullander clan relocated to Stockholm, Sweden's capital, where he would later pursue his secondary education at Enskilda Gymnasium. 

Opting for higher education, Kullander selected the renowned University of Durham in the UK. Here, he crystallized his focus, excelling and graduating with honors in Finance. His time at Durham was marked by significant achievements: he not only helmed the University's Finance Society as its president but was also bestowed with the Vice-Chancellor's Award and Scholarship for academic brilliance.

Yet, Kullander's talents weren't confined to academics alone. He was a multifaceted individual — a ski instructor, the captain of a basketball team, and had keen interests in powerlifting, music, and chess. 

From the very beginning of his professional trajectory, Tiantian began his tenure at some of the finance world's most eminent institutions. By 2013, he had carved a niche for himself as a credit trader at Morgan Stanley's Hong Kong branch. This achievement followed his experiences at the London outposts of Jefferies and Goldman Sachs during 2011-2012. To think that a 19-year-old had such renowned names on his resume is quite remarkable, isn't it?

However, 2018 marked a significant turning point. The man who would soon be recognized as Hong Kong's Crypto King shook the traditional finance realm with the inception of the Amber Group. With his strategic leadership, the company swiftly positioned itself as a pioneer in digital asset trading, cutting-edge product solutions, and the development of essential infrastructure. They established partnerships across the board: from token-issuing entities and banking institutions to fintech startups, sports teams, and game developers. Kullander's vision and dynamism fast-tracked Amber Group's ascent into the revered “unicorn” category. By 2022, a mere four years since its foundation, the firm's valuation had skyrocketed to an astounding $3 billion.

It's unclear when or how the affectionate moniker “TT” came to be, but that's how he was fondly and popularly known within the crypto circuits. One can only speculate about the additional commendations he might have amassed in his career. Yet, one standout recognition remains his 2019 inclusion in the distinguished Forbes' “30 Under 30” list. And it wasn't just any spot; he dominated the list at number one, reinforcing his stature in the crypto universe.

Besides the triumphant journey with Amber, TT's multifaceted involvement included a board position with Fnatic, a globally recognized esports powerhouse. This organization gained significant acclaim due to its elite Counter-Strike team, marking it as one of the top-earning entities in the esports narrative.

Another commendable venture by Tiantian was the establishment of KeeperDAO. This innovative DeFi protocol, functioning without requiring permissions, provided the DeFi landscape with assured liquidity. It offered users the opportunity to consolidate their assets, thereby maximizing gains through liquidations, arbitrage strategies, and various other avenues.

TianTian Kullander always appeared to live with a sense of urgency, striving to accomplish as much as possible within the short span of his life. In April 2021, he married Monica Cian, and the two soon became parents to a son. The couple shared a passion for travel, exploring over 20 countries together.