Redefining Finance and Breaking Down Barriers

Financial systems are changing quickly. As technology becomes more integrated into the space, “finance,” in the traditional sense of the word, is being adapted to encompass innovations like cryptocurrency. Matthew Mamigonian, a prominent business development executive, works at said intersection of traditional finance and digital assets. Currently, he leads Business Development and Ecosystem at Lynq, where he helps drive strategic growth across the institutional crypto market. In this role, he works closely with financial institutions to expand Lynq’s network and support the development of more connected financial infrastructure. With experience across both traditional finance and emerging financial technology, Matthew offers a practical but ultimately forward-looking perspective on how innovation is reshaping the financial system.

Mamigonian’s interest in crypto grew from a belief that blockchain technology could meaningfully improve the way capital moves through global markets. According to Matthew, “As a kid, I just sat next to my grandfather watching the stock market and different companies like Apple, trying to understand what they were doing and why they were doing it.” Matthew also added that watching how different people interpreted news, and how these differing interpretations affected a company’s future, fascinated him. Before joining Lynq, Matthew built his career across both Wall Street and the crypto industry, holding leadership and business development roles at Flowdesk, GSR, and Bitstamp, where he focused on institutional partnerships and market expansion. Earlier in his career, he worked at OppenheimerFunds, BNY Mellon Wealth Management, and J.P. Morgan Private Bank, giving him a strong foundation in capital markets and investment management. When asked why he decided to pursue cryptocurrency in particular, Mamigonian answered, “When I started working at a bank at J.P. Morgan I said, ‘This bitcoin thing is pretty interesting, it’s like digital gold.’ Then, I asked myself, ‘How can we have a currency that allows two trustless parties to transact?’ The answer was Bitcoin.” Mamigonian also stated that crypto breaks down walls and barriers globally so that someone who is impoverished in Nigeria, for example, can send stable coins and dollars to someone in the United States, or a number of other countries. In Matthew’s words, “The ethos of crypto is capital transformation without borders. Cryptocurrency is solving problems and fixing the financial system by making it more inclusive and granting more tools to people who might not have them. It grants freedom and flexibility.”

Mamigonian initially pursued pre-med in college at Penn State, but eventually transitioned into finance, graduating with a Master of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Science in Economics. During his interview, Mamigonian stated, “Penn State did a phenomenal job at preparing me for my current career. I went to an Armenian Catholic school and graduated the ninth grade with nine other students in my class. At Penn State, I had 12,000 kids in my class. Penn State prepared me for a diverse world. It’s a school that has both breadth and depth.” Moreover, when asked if he had advice for students currently interested in finance, Mamigonian answered, “Having an understanding of what you do not know is super important. I have been investing in crypto for over a decade now, and I have both made and lost a lot of money. I know that I do not know more than I know. The second thing is, adaptability and flexibility are important because, for example, AI didn’t exist five years ago, and new technologies could arise that can drop a landmine on different economies throughout the world. Making sure that you are valuable in your sphere, going outside of your comfort zone, and even taking a risk every now and again ensures your success.”