Crypto Growth Strategist

ERNESTO
CONTRERAS

I help companies unlock growth in Crypto and penetrate emerging markets across Latin America. From Bitso Unicorn to founding payments Startup, From Dash to Stablecoins, — 20 years experience, with 8+ years turning blockchain into real-world solutions.

Ernesto Contreras - Crypto Growth Strategist
Top 5
Crypto Builder in LatAm
BeInCrypto 2022
8+
Years in Crypto
8+
Years in Crypto
18+
Years in Tech & Marketing
240+
Crypto Projects Lead & Launched
12M+
Users Reached in Projects
Featured & Published In
Ernesto Contreras speaking at Stellar Meridian
My Story

From Industrial Engineering to
Crypto Frontlines

I didn't start in crypto. I started where most Latin Americans start — trying to solve real problems with limited tools.

Growing up in Venezuela, I watched an entire country's economy collapse. Hyperinflation didn't just destroy savings — it destroyed trust. That experience shaped everything I do today.

In 2022, BeInCrypto named me one of the Top 5 Most Influential Builders in Crypto for Latin America.

I studied Industrial Engineering, earned my MBA at Hult International Business School in Shanghai and Boston, and have lived across five countries. In 2017, I joined Bitso — LatAm's first crypto unicorn — and doubled their user base in six months.

From there, five years at Dash Core Group, rising to Global Head of BD & Marketing. I built teams, launched 14+ integrations per quarter, and brought Dash to Burger King and Church's Chicken in Venezuela.

I co-founded Caracas Blockchain Week — 7,500+ attendees, 45+ brands, Venezuela's first crypto hackathon.

Today I'm building stablecoin-powered payments for LatAm merchants on USDC. My mission: make crypto work solve real problems for real use cases.
What I Do

How I Can Help You

Hands-on experience most consultants don't have.

🚀

Crypto Growth Strategy & Advisory

I help crypto projects build strategic growth plans for Latin America and emerging markets. Market entry, partnerships, user acquisition, and community building.

Market Entry Partnerships Go-to-Market LatAm
🎤

Keynote Speaking & Thought Leadership

Keynotes at LaBitConf, Stellar Meridian, and dozens of podcasts. I speak on crypto adoption, stablecoins, financial inclusion, and building for the Global South.

Conferences Podcasts Workshops Panels
💰

Stablecoin & Payments Consulting

Deep expertise in stablecoin infrastructure, cross-border payments, and compliant fintech solutions. USDC/USDT integration, Stellar blockchain, merchant flows.

USDC Stellar Cross-Border Compliance
📈

Brand Building & Marketing for Web3

18+ years in marketing. From consumer goods to doubling Bitso's user base. I help Web3 projects communicate value clearly and grow their audience.

Brand Strategy Content Community PR
Experience

Where I've Built

From LatAm's first crypto unicorn to founding my own stablecoin startup.

2023 – Present
Founder & CEO
Unalivio • LatAm (Remote)
  • USDC payments on Stellar
  • 5K+ users
  • $15K GMV/mo
  • Stellar Meridian 2024
  • Angel + grant funded
2020 – 2023
Global Head of BD & Marketing
Dash Core Group • Mexico City
2018 – 2020
LatAm Business Development Manager
Dash Core Group • Mexico City
  • 4+ partnerships/quarter
  • Mainstream brand integrations
  • Conference speaker
2017 – 2018
Marketing Manager
Bitso (LatAm's First Crypto Unicorn) • Mexico City
  • 2x user base in 6 months
  • 1.8x social followers
  • 10x digital interactions
  • 7+ consumer events
Speaking & Media

On Stage & In The Press

Sharing frontline insights on crypto adoption in emerging markets.

Crypto Adoption in Emerging Markets

Lessons from Venezuela, Mexico, and the broader LatAm ecosystem. Why the Global South leads adoption.

The Stablecoin Revolution

How USDC and stablecoin rails are replacing remittances and transforming cross-border payments.

Building for Real Users

Why UX beats tokenomics. How to create crypto products people actually use in their daily lives.

DAO to Startup

Lessons in decentralized business development from 5 years at the longest-running DAO.

LatAm Market Entry

How crypto companies can enter and win in Latin American markets. Strategy, partners, and pitfalls.

Brand Partnerships in Crypto

Getting Burger King to accept crypto. The playbook for mainstream brand integrations.

Past Events & Media

Stellar Meridian 2024 LaBitConf Caracas Blockchain Week Cointelegraph TechBullion Investing.com BeInCrypto ZenLedger
Flagship Event

Caracas Blockchain Week

I founded the first global crypto summit in Venezuela. When people said it was impossible, we proved that innovation grows fastest where the need is greatest.

7,500+
Total Attendees
45+
Brands & Sponsors
2
Events in Total
1st
Crypto Hackathon in Venezuela
Unalivio App
Current Project

Unalivio

Stablecoin-powered payment infrastructure for Latin American merchants. Receive in USDC on Stellar with Web2 simplicity.

The Problem

  • Remittances to LatAm cost 6-10% in fees
  • Local currencies face chronic devaluation
  • Small merchants excluded from global payments

Our Solution

  • USDC on Stellar — fast, cheap, reliable
  • Cash-in from Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia
  • Payout in USDC or local currency
  • Web2 UX, Web3 power
Visit Unalivio →
Insights

Latest Thinking

Speaking about Unalivio's mission
Crypto Adoption

Why the Global South Is Crypto's Biggest Opportunity

While the West debates regulation, Latin America is building. Here's why emerging markets lead adoption.

Read more →
Ernesto at Binance Clubhouse Dubai
Stablecoins

Stablecoins Will Replace Remittances. Here's How.

The $150B remittance market to LatAm is ripe for disruption. Stablecoin rails are changing the game.

Read more →
Panel at Caracas Blockchain Week
Partnerships

What I Learned Getting Burger King to Accept Crypto

The playbook for crypto-to-mainstream brand partnerships, from cold outreach to live integration.

Read more →

Ready to Build Something?

Whether you need growth strategy, a keynote speaker, or a thought partner for crypto in emerging markets — let's talk.

📅

Strategy Call

30-min free consultation on your crypto growth challenges.

🎤

Speaking

Conferences, podcasts, corporate events, and panels.

Get in Touch

ernesto@unalivio.com

Get In Touch

Let's Connect

Have a project in mind, want to book a speaking engagement, or just want to chat about crypto in Latin America? Drop me a line.

📍
Latin America (Remote)