Sam Wellalage , BSC, MA

WIC Search

Your on-demand in-house recruitment team at 80% less cost.

Chief Economist and Recruiter

WorkInCrypto.Global

Scaling Blockchain, Crypto and Web3 Teams Since 2019: Csuit to $100K salaries

Recent appointments: 
Director of Operations: Sport and Blockchain Tech
Head of Business Development: Cloud Startup
Head of Web3 and Metaverse for PSG Football club: one of the most well-known sports brands in the world: £600 Million revenue last year
Web3 Advisor to the board: beIn Media Group: £1 Billion in revenue last year
COO to a payment application: 12 Billion Dollars under management
CEO to a brand new crypto exchange
Head of Product 
CTO
Chief Operating Officer: Crypto exchange: £400 Million in Revenue

Founder and executive search recruiter

ScalingCrypto teams since 2019. Our business has two functions: executive search and 2. Crypto recruitment for mid and junior level roles

Founder

Untapped Future

"untapped Future" is a charity I set up to address my lifelong dream to support underprivileged children. Coming from an underprivileged background, I know how life-changing it is to have equal opportunities for children growing up in underdeveloped countries in Asia. 10% of the business profit from WorkInCrypto.Global goes towards this charity to help identify children with sporting and education talent.

Chief Executive Officer

Scaling Unicorns

Hiring Ops Leaders and Sr Tech for Tech, AI and FinTech industry. Salary ranges from $120K to $400K.

Cloud Computing, Machine Learning and AI, Python Engineers, Data Engineer, Cloud Security, Director, CEO, Full Stack Engineers, Backend Engineer

Founder and Principal Recruiter

5iveTech Recruitment

What makes us different from the rest? It is in the questions we ask and the process we follow! We go beyond checklists and explore what it is actually driving people in their work.  

Track record to date:
Our last 100 placements have a 99% retention rate. 98% of the candidates we've placed in the last 2 years are still in their jobs today. Most of them got promoted

Examples of our placement in the past 12 months (contract and permanents):
Tech Leadership: CTO, Engineering Manager, Head of Development, Tech Architects and Lead Devs 
C-Suit: CEO, Chief Operations Officer, Director of Ops, Head of Client Services
Compliance: Head of Compliance, Director of compliance, AML/KYC/ Crypto specific compliance
Marketing: CMO, Marketing Manager, UX/UI Designer
Sofware Engineering: Blockchain, C#, Java, C++, Ruby on Rails, Elixir, Golang, Javascript, React, Gatsby, SOLIDITY, Smart Contracts,PHP

Industries: Fintech, Cryptocurrency, Asset Management, Banking, Capital Markets, Gaming, Gambling, 

We ask intuitive questions to determine your suitability and we make recommendations based on your skillset. Whether you are a CEO, recruitment head or a junior-level candidate, we provide expert advice which transforms your talent pipeline and careers.

Managing Director and Founder

rethink

I built the Ruby on Rails practice from scratch at Rethink.

Awards and recognitions: Rising Star at Rethink group (London, Birmingham, Manchester and Ireland).

Technology Recruiter

British Transport Police

Human Resource and Resource allocation for London Police

HR Resourcing Officer

Keele University

Recruitment Officer

Sri Lanka Badminton 

I first represented Sri Lanka when I was 12  years old. At the age of 19, I became the national number 1. I was able to travel the world and represent my country. I loved every minute of it. 

Starting out it was hard, financially as well as mentally.  But through hard work, sheer determination and self-belief I overcame every obstacle. I'm blessed to be able to play an individual sport at the highest level, and that experience still shapes me and reassures me that there is nothing you cannot achieve if you beleive!

Professional Athlete

Crypto Executive Search Recruiter | Ex -Pro Athlete | CEO

Separating the good from the great!

I have been scaling Crypto/Blockchain/ Web3 companies since 2019, hiring C-suit to Engineers.

Most roles ranges from $100,000 - $400,00K per year.

Here are some case studies of how I did exemplary work for exemplary people and companies: 

1. I am the exclusive and retained Blockchain recruiter for the PSG football club, one of the world's top 5 best football clubs owned by the government of Qatar. I successfully recruited their first Head of Blockchain to facilitate the club's transition into the Web3 space and help them earn millions of additional revenue streams.

2. I recruited the entire company (C suit, engineers, and ops) for the former chairman of Macquarie Bank Group, who now runs a 12 billion-dollar hedge fund. 

3. I helped another market leader, Chiliz and Socios, hire a Director of Operations for their newly set crypto team and several other roles.

How do I achieve these results?

I use a metric-driven, scientifically designed qualification process that hiring managers and candidates undergo. Thus, I have a 100% success rate over 500 positions filled and a 98% retention rate.  

#Digitalasset #Digitalidentity #Decentralisedfinance #sportsinblockchain #FinTech #Payments #WelathTech #Assetmanagement #Leadershiprecruiter #executivesearch #headhunter #AI #GenAI #DataScience #ML #crypto #blochchain#web3 #DLT #Techrecruting

Executive Search Recruiter

Executive Search / C-suit Recruitment in  Crypto. Blockchain and Metaverse Sector

Recent appointments: 
Head of Business Development: Web3 startup
Head of Web3 and Metaverse for PSG Football club: one of the most well-known sports brands in the world: £600 Million revenue last year
Web3 Advisor to the board: beIn Media Group: £1 Billion in revenue last year
COO to a crypto payment application: 12 Billion Dollars under management
CEO to a brand new crypto exchange
Head of Product - crypto
CTO - crypto
Chief Operating Officer: Crypto exchange: £400 Million in Revenue last year

Providing consulting services on go-to-market (GTM) strategy, MiCA compliance, growth, and operations.

Freelance Consultant

Zenrock Laboratories Ltd

• Transitioned the company to a BVI VASP-regulated entity, enabling crypto custody/exchange services.
• Directed MiCA strategy, conducted gap analysis, and engaged with EU regulators.
• Reviewed and drafted contracts, negotiated deals, and conducted third-party due diligence.
• Led global licensing initiatives in the EU and Dubai.

Regulatory Director

Amber Group

• Managed GTM strategy, licensing, P&L, and growth (DE, AT, & NL).
• Negotiated deals with major KOLs, increasing signup conversions.
• Drove 2 VASP registrations, successfully submitted in Austria (AT) and Netherlands (NL).
• Helped align Amber's derivatives products with EU's MiFID II, AMLD, and upcoming MiCA regulations.

Senior Country Lead

Binance

• Led DACH GTM strategy, implemented compliant KYC, and oversaw regional marketing.
• Managed operations, including compliance, HR, CS, P&L, stakeholder comms, & business strategy.
• Expanded markets through strategic KOL programs and collaborations.
• Oversaw multiple VASP applications, ensuring product compliance across the region.

Country Lead – DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland)

· Managed various domains, such as growth, business development, CRM, and PR.
· Introduced regional affiliate program (~10% of the total monthly trading volume).
· Increased market share by +43.03% and trading volume +675.01% (YoY).

Growth Lead

AssetVisory GmbH

• Advised sports clubs on the tokenization of shares and the issuance of NFTs.
• Spearheaded business development and strategic partnerships.
• Managed successful token launches, ensuring full legal and regulatory compliance.

Co-Founder

Spielworks GmbH

• Drove marketing, HR, business development, partnerships, CRM, strategy and operations.
• Expanded team to 15+, driving significant revenue through partnerships.
• Helped launch Wombat, a blockchain non-custodial gaming wallet (4M+ users).

Co-Founder & Co-Director

Anchor Point Consulting

• Founded and led the company, securing major marketing contracts and high-profile clients.
• Scaled the organization from inception to a team of 3.
• Advised clients on incorporating blockchain technology into their business model & marketing strategy.

Co-Founder & CEO

Eigler Communication GmbH

• Managed & optimized high-quality print files.
• Created and improved (SEO) landing pages using HTML.

Digital Media Designer

iCast Media GmbH

• Managed SEO & digital campaigns for 15+ clients, boosting their visibility.
• Designed and created websites and landing pages using Wordpress.

Chronos-Games

• Launched and managed a game development company, bringing multiple projects from concept to market.
• Developed an application that visualizes combat in the browser game Desert Operations.

• 8+ years of leadership in crypto, specializing in GTM strategy, growth, compliance, and business development. 
• 5 years of experience in the video game industry, focused on game design, development, and company management.
• Expertise in Blockchain, DeFi, MiFID II, AMLD, and MiCA compliance.
• Proven in operational management, strategic planning, and execution.
• Established Binance's market presence in DE/AT & launched Web3 gaming wallet Wombat, growing it to 4M+ users.
• Successfully integrated regulated services into Qredo’s non-custodial crypto custody platform.

I'm actively involved in the DeFi space, utilizing protocols such as MakerDAO, Compound, Aave, and Balancer. Additionally, I'm a strong supporter of Bitcoin and have been running a full node for years.

I excel at aligning regulatory requirements with business operations and driving market growth.

Marcel Thiess

Germany had a head start in crypto...and then killed it.

In 2022, Germany was becoming a leader in Europe’s blockchain scene. 

Thousands of jobs, dozens of startups, and a growing global reputation.

Today, 2025, Germany has lost over 90% of its crypto jobs, and founders are moving to the UAE, Asia, and the USA.

Read my full take (backed by data) here 👇

Marcel Thiess, FICA

GM @ Levva | Strategy & Growth | Making Crypto & DeFi Simple, Secure & Accessible with AI

From 2020 to 2022, Germany was a rising hub for blockchain in Europe: more startups, more capital, more job creation than anywhere else in the EU. The

Open article: Germany had a head start in crypto... and then killed it! by Marcel Thiess, FICA • 2 min read

Germany had a head start in crypto... and then killed it!

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The Battle

Sam Wellalage , BSC, MA

Marcel Thiess

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The Battle

Sam Wellalage , BSC, MA

Marcel Thiess

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Marcel Thiess's LinkedIn Performance

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