Balyasny Hires Head of Enterprise Technology with Crypto and TradFi Experience

Balyasny, a hedge fund known for its low-key approach to crypto investments, has made a significant hire in the space. Samuel Donat, a seasoned professional with experience at top hedge funds like Millennium and as an executive at a major crypto fintech firm, has joined Balyasny as its head of enterprise technology.

Donat’s impressive resume includes a stint as a consultant at Steve Cohen’s fund Point72 and a three-year tenure as COO of NYDIG, a prominent bitcoin infrastructure firm. While NYDIG has recently faced challenges, including layoffs and the fallout from the FTX crisis, Donat’s move to Balyasny signals his confidence in the fund’s potential in the crypto space.

Prior to his foray into crypto, Donat held key roles at Stone Ridge Asset Management and Millennium, where he served as global head of corporate technology. His appointment at Balyasny underscores the growing importance of technology and crypto expertise in the hedge fund industry.

Notably, Donat is not the only NYDIG alum to make a career move recently. Martin Miner, a former SVP at D.E. Shaw, joined fintech firm Enfusion as a managing director, highlighting the trend of traditional finance professionals transitioning to the fintech sector.

As Balyasny continues to expand its presence in the crypto space, Donat’s appointment reflects the fund’s commitment to attracting top talent with diverse expertise. His arrival is a testament to the increasing convergence of traditional finance and the burgeoning crypto industry.