Fred Ehrsam

Coinbase’s 2013 announcement introducing Ehrsam described how, at age 16, he led an America’s Army video-game team that achieved leading results in U.S.United StatesThe United States is a federal country in North America made up of 50 states, the District of Columbia as the seat of government, and territories such as Puerto Rico and Guam; its capital is Washington, D.C. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The 2020 census (April 1, 2020) counted a resident population of 331,449,281, and the 435 seats of the House of Representatives are apportioned among the states on the basis of the census.Open the full entry and European competitions. That experience, alongside his later computer science studies, formed part of his technical background.⁠[1]

Ehrsam graduated from Duke University in 2010 with honors and departmental distinctions in both economics and computer science. Coinbase’s corporate filings describe his degree as a B.S. in Computer Science and Economics and use his full name, Frederick Ernest Ehrsam III.⁠[2][3]

From July 2010 to June 2012, Ehrsam worked in foreign exchange trading at Goldman SachsGoldman SachsGoldman Sachs is an American financial services group headquartered in New York whose businesses include investment banking, securities trading, asset management, and wealth management. It traces its origins to the commercial paper business Marcus Goldman founded in 1869; it listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1999 under the ticker GS and became a bank holding company in 2008. David Solomon serves as chairman and chief executive officer.Open the full entry. Coinbase’s early announcement described his work in manual and electronic foreign exchange trading in New York and noted that he had previously worked at BlackRockBlackRockBlackRock is a publicly traded investment management company headquartered in New York, founded in 1988 by Larry Fink and seven others and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker BLK); its businesses include the iShares family of exchange-traded funds and the Aladdin investment and risk management platform. As of June 30, 2026, its assets under management totaled $15.3 trillion.Open the full entry.⁠[3][1]

Ehrsam co-founded Coinbase in 2012 and served as President from November 2012 to January 2017. The company announced his arrival in January 2013, a publication date distinct from the start of his tenure. He became a director in March 2013.⁠[3][4][1]

After stepping down as President, he remained a director. ParadigmParadigmParadigm is a technology investment firm founded in 2018 by Matt Huang and Fred Ehrsam, investing in crypto assets, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging technologies at stages extending from initial funding to public markets. The firm also conducts protocol research, open-source software development, and company incubation.Open the full entry’s current biography continues to list that role, distinguishing board membership from day-to-day management.⁠[4]

In a retrospective published in 2021, Ehrsam wrote that Coinbase temporarily suspended customer purchases during a surge in demand in 2013 because it lacked working capital. Industry downturns over the following years also strained the team. He recalled raising funding early, maintaining focus and retaining cash, and rejecting a suggestion in 2015 to pivot toward private blockchains for banks. These details reflect his later account.⁠[5]

Ehrsam co-founded crypto investment firm Paradigm in 2018. Coinbase’s 2023 filing dates the start of his role as co-founder and Managing Partner to June 2018. Paradigm’s investment and research interests encompass crypto companies, protocols and related technologies.⁠[3][2]

In March 2021, Ehrsam published Surviving Crypto Cycles, discussing how startup teams can respond to industry volatility through stress testing, cash reserves and maintaining their core direction. The essay presents his experience and views, rather than a guarantee of future market returns.⁠[5]

On May 2 that year, he addressed Duke’s economics graduates in a commencement video, encouraging curiosity. The university subsequently published an account of the address and a link to the video.⁠[2]

In October 2023, Ehrsam announced a transition from Managing Partner to General Partner at Paradigm, reducing management duties while continuing investment, research, portfolio support and crypto policy work. The Block’s account of his public post said he had supported biological research for several years and wanted to devote more time to it. Paradigm’s subsequently updated biography lists him as Co-Founder and Senior Advisor.⁠[6][4]

Ehrsam is also Nudge’s Co-Founder and CEO. In April 2025, Nudge publicly described its approach to noninvasive brain stimulation and imaging using focused ultrasound. Its initial device used a helmet-like structure compatible with an MRI environment; portable devices for home use remained a future goal.⁠[4][7]

On July 22, 2025, Nudge announced a $100 million Series A led by Thrive CapitalThrive CapitalThrive Capital is an investment firm led by chief executive Joshua Kushner that builds and invests in internet, software and technology-enabled companies, with investments including Cursor and Chai Discovery. Kushner is also chief executive of Thrive Holdings, a long-term holding company.Open the full entry and Greenoaks and said it was conducting human research with Nudge Zero. Its research goals include potential medical and cognitive applications. Research progress and future concepts in the announcement do not establish approved therapeutic effects or commercially available home products.⁠[8][7]

On March 25, 2026, the White House announced appointments to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, including Fred Ehrsam. He also publicly stated on X that he would participate in the council.⁠[9][10]

On September 2, 2026, Venezuela’s foreign ministry confirmed that Primavera Infinita had signed a participation contract for the Budare-Elotes block. A subsequent El Pitazo investigation identified Ehrsam as a co-founder while noting that public information was insufficient to establish his ownership percentage. The government announcement confirmed the company and block but did not disclose his personal equity stake.⁠[11][12]

The Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street JournalThe Wall Street Journal is a U.S. news publication founded in 1889, with a focus on business, finance and economics. It is published by Dow Jones, part of News Corp.Open the full entry’s September coverage described Ehrsam spending several months in Caracas seeking oil investment opportunities.⁠[13]

Ehrsam adopted a conditional Rule 10b5-1 plan covering up to 3,866,620 Class A shares converted from his trust’s Class B holdings. Its estimated window runs December 7, 2026–June 7, 2027, with possible earlier termination; it records planned sales, not executions.⁠[14]

His professional biography appears on Paradigm’s official website. Nudge publishes product and research information at https://nudge.com (opens in a new window). His public X account is @FEhrsam (https://x.com/FEhrsam (opens in a new window)).⁠[4][7][10]