Cole Diamond is a serial entrepreneur. Also, early-stage business investor based in Toronto. He is best known in the business world for being the co-founder. Also, CEO of Coinsquare. Canada’s top cryptocurrency exchange.. In addition, co-founding Tetra Trust. the country’s first qualified digital asset custodian. Under his leadership. Coinsquare raised over $100M. Moreover, became Canada’s first crypto-focused broker-dealer. Also, marketplace. achieving registration with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). In addition, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). In recognition of his work in the field. in 2019. Cole was named Canada’s top Tech Entrepreneur by the Digital Finance Institute. a think tank that deals in matters of tech. financial innovation.. Also, regulation. 

Further perspective

In addition to his ventures in the crypto space. Cole Diamond has expanded into several other industries. He is the controlling shareholder of Ghost Kitchens International. a company revolutionizing the food delivery market through its innovative online order fulfillment model. Within the hospitality sector. Cole co-founded Vela. a top-rated fine-dining restaurant in downtown Toronto.. Moreover, serves as the largest shareholder. He is also an investor. In addition, board member at Stella. an upscale Italian restaurant in West Hollywood. Los Angeles.

Further perspective

As an investor. Cole is passionate about supporting startups. Also, innovative new ventures. He has backed companies like Big Digital. KEEP.. Also, RoketEV. His investment portfolio extends to real estate. where he has strategically assembled a diverse range of properties in promising markets.

Cole’s career is defined by his ability to take on big challenges. Moreover, big risks. disrupting industries ranging from cryptocurrency to food service. Also, retail. His latest project. Trade In. is a tech company set to launch in 2025.

We were fortunate enough to catch up with Cole Diamond. Also, ask him a few questions about his career journey. his philosophy on entrepreneurship.. In addition, his plans for any exciting new projects.

Entrepreneurship lessons

Building Coinsquare

Investing in star companies

Advice for entrepreneurs

Q: As an entrepreneur many times over. what lessons have you learned from co-founding successful ventures like Coinsquare. Moreover, Tetra Trust that you can share with our readership?

Cole Diamond: A lot of the conventional wisdom surrounding entrepreneurship is actually quite true. You have to be tenacious. Also, adaptable. You also need to have a vision for what you want to accomplish. In addition, an inherent need to succeed against all odds. An optimistic outlook also helps things along. without question. And it goes without saying that you need to have a product. Alternatively, service that the public wants to buy. I realize that these are generalities. but they happen to be true. Also, critical. 

Q: You co-founded Coinsquare in 2016. which means you were a pretty early adopter in cryptocurrency terms. What inspired you to enter into that relatively unknown. Moreover, unestablished industry at that point?

Cole Diamond: Put simply, I saw the potential for cryptocurrency to change the world. In the lead-up to launching Coinsquare. I also saw that Canada was lagging a bit behind in the crypto sphere.. In addition, consequently. there was space for me to fill a critical gap in the market. After realizing all this. I acted fast.. Also, within a shorter amount of time than anticipated. the company was rocketing its way to success. It was very good timing. 

Q: You’re also an investor known for supporting several startups. which is a notoriously risky thing to do. Do you have any special criteria you use when deciding where to invest your capital?

Cole Diamond: Most of my criteria for investment is based around two things: one. the idea. In addition, the idea has to be sound. well-thought-out.. Also, above all else. innovative. I don’t have a great deal of interest in backing a rehashed version of an old idea. In addition, the second criterion I use is my impression of the entrepreneur in question. Most of my decision comes down to instinct. Is this person a go-getter? Do they truly believe in themselves. Moreover, their abilities? Do they inspire confidence? Can they sell their idea well? All of these are factors I consider.

Q: What advice would you give to novice. Alternatively, would-be entrepreneurs interested in entering the rapidly changing tech industry?

Cole Diamond: The best piece of advice I can relay is that you absolutely. positively must stay up to date on all the latest developments—there’s just no way around it. Without mincing words. the tech space is a cutthroat environment. meaning that if you don’t continuously refine. Also, optimize your processes. procedures.. Also, equipment. you will inevitably fall behind your competitors. It’s not an industry that rewards complacency; quite the opposite. You have to be nimble. open-minded.. In addition, always thinking about your next move. And you need to be fast to adjust your product. Alternatively, service once you get to market. Moreover, your customers start giving you feedback. 

Looking ahead

Q: Looking ahead. what can you share about your upcoming tech project. Trade In.. Also, what makes it unique in the market?

Additional insights

Cole Diamond: At this point in Trade In’s development. there’s not too much I can share with the press. Suffice it to say. the company operates in the tech space. In addition, even now we’re looking into doing some things that will make a big splash within the auto industry. I will say this: stay tuned for the grand debut in 2025. It’s going to be big.