Nao Kitazawa is a versatile professional with a diverse background in entrepreneurship, investing, and law. He was the former head of Coinbase Japan, where he led the company's efforts to expand its cryptocurrency exchange operations in Japan. Currently, he is a venture partner at Eight Roads, a global investment firm focused on technology and healthcare, a board member at Kyash, a fintech company, and a board member at AnyMind Group, an international technology company listed in Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Nao began his career as a lawyer at Paul Hastings, where he advised clients on various legal matters. He then worked as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley, advising clients on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and corporate restructuring. Prior to his role at Coinbase, Nao served as the COO of Money Design, a prominent fintech startup based in Tokyo. He was also a founding board member of the Fintech Association of Japan.
He received his LL.M from the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law and his Bachelor of Law from Keio University and is admitted to practice law both in Japan and in the state of New York.