The Web3 Career Leap of Mason Nystrom to Pantera

• Mason Nystrom blends deep crypto research with venture investing at Pantera Capital.
• His writing and mentorship help newcomers navigate the complicated world of Web3.

Not many people can claim to have written hundreds of reports on DeFi, NFTs, and blockchain protocols while maintaining a clear, analytical tone. Mason Nystrom can. But his career didn’t start in a fancy New York office or a desk with three monitors and expensive NFTs on display.

Instead, his journey began amid the hustle and bustle of the Hong Kong crypto market in 2017, when he worked for Gatecoin—one of the first exchanges to open its doors to Ether.

Imagine being at a startup that suddenly gets flooded with transactions due to the height of the bull run. Mason didn’t immediately sit down as a research analyst. Instead, he worked on operations, marketing, and customer service. There were days when he had to answer user emails, then hours later, devise a growth strategy.

These tasks formed his unique foundation—not just understanding how blockchain technology works, but also how real people use it.

Mason Nystrom: From Research Desk to Venture Capital Boardroom

After Gatecoin, Mason moved on to ConsenSys in the US, where he got deeper into the Ethereum ecosystem. But interestingly, he doesn’t just work behind the scenes on blockchain projects. He also writes—and not just any old writing. He creates content that breaks down technicalities into something that crypto newbies can understand. This role paved the way for him to join Messari, where he began to make a name for himself.

At Messari, Mason didn’t just write—he built guides for anyone looking to understand Web3, NFTs, social tokens, and the metaverse. But there was an interesting shift in his career. Amid his reputation as an analyst, he decided to shift gears into the world of investing. In 2022, he joined Variant Fund as an investment associate. And in 2024, he officially became a Junior Partner at Pantera Capital.

Many would consider the move from research to venture capital to be a natural path in the industry. But Mason took a different approach. He didn’t just “go with the flow.” He brought a researcher’s mindset to the world of investing.

He understood projects not just from pitch decks or hype, but from their data, architecture, and the resilience of their communities. From the outside, it looks like a stock market analyst who suddenly decided to fund a startup in his garage. But in the crypto world, that’s exactly what makes him relevant.

Connecting Builders and Backers with Clarity

What’s interesting about Mason is not just his track record, but also his approach to education. He’s not stingy with knowledge. He writes a personal newsletter called Unsyndicated, where he shares his views on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the development of Web3. In addition, he often shares tips on how to start a career in the crypto industry. For many who want to get into Web3, Mason is not only a source of inspiration, but also a guide.

On the other hand, he doesn’t sell the illusion of ease. He once said that writing is one of the best ways to get into the industry, but of course not everyone likes to write. That’s where his honest approach lies. He gives realistic advice, not empty motivations.

Furthermore, now at Pantera, Mason is involved in strategy development, funding research, and identifying potential early projects. With a strong research background and deep understanding of industry trends, he bridges two often disconnected worlds: builders and investors.