William Duplessie has emerged as a notable figure in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. His career encompasses entrepreneurial ventures, investment activities, and, more recently, legal controversies. This article delves into his background, professional journey, and the events that have brought him into the public eye.
Early Life and Education
William Duplessie was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he developed an early interest in finance. Accompanying his father, a bond trader, to work, he gained firsthand exposure to trading environments. By the age of 11, he was actively engaged in public markets, even securing first place in a statewide stock market contest during his fifth-grade year.His academic pursuits led him to Bard College and later to Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business, where he focused on finance starting in 2015
Entry into the Cryptocurrency Sphere
Duplessie’s foray into cryptocurrency began around 2012, driven by his passion for markets and technology. In 2014, he co-founded Coinconnect.com, an educational platform and Bitcoin exchange targeting millennials and college students.
His involvement extended to roles such as William Duplessie lead at Distributed Network Advisors (DNA) and associate at Science Blockchain, where he contributed to the development of one of the earliest security tokens.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Investments
In 2019, Duplessie co-founded Pangea Blockchain Fund, focusing on commercial and industrial applications of blockchain technology. Based in Lugano, Switzerland, Pangea attracted investments from various sectors.
His investment portfolio includes companies like Proof Of Impact, vAtomic Systems, Inc., Habitas, Chronicled, Eligma, Vezt Inc., Market Dynamics SAGL, and Axie Infinity. These ventures reflect his broad interest in innovative blockchain applications.
Legal Challenges and Controversies
Duplessie’s career has not been without legal issues. In 2024, he and his father were ordered to pay nearly $250,000 in damages after failing to pay rent on a Miami villa. Additionally, he was involved in a lawsuit seeking over $50,000 related to a car accident in Miami
More recently, Duplessie surrendered to New York City police in connection with the abduction and torture of Italian tourist and crypto investor Michael Carturan. Alongside business partner John Woeltz, he is accused of holding Carturan captive for three weeks, demanding access to his Bitcoin wallet.
Conclusion
William Duplessie’s trajectory in the cryptocurrency world illustrates the volatile intersection of innovation and controversy. His early achievements in .
