Cole Diamond’s story is a blueprint for modern entrepreneurship in the digital age. From pioneering Canada’s cryptocurrency movement to reshaping the real estate and hospitality sectors, Cole Diamond stands out as a multi-industry visionary whose career exemplifies innovation, leadership, and strategic diversification. His professional journey is not just about business—it’s about transforming ecosystems, opening new markets, and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Rise of a Tech Trailblazer

Cole Diamond’s entrepreneurial ascent began in the cryptocurrency space, a sector once considered fringe and now a cornerstone of global finance. As co-founder and CEO of Coinsquare, Diamond led the company to become Canada’s leading cryptocurrency exchange by 2018. Under his leadership, Coinsquare achieved several groundbreaking milestones, including:

• Becoming the first IIROC-registered broker-dealer in the country.
  
  

• Launching Canada’s first regulated cryptocurrency marketplace.
  
  

• Raising over $100 million in capital, a remarkable feat in a highly volatile industry.
  
  

These accomplishments earned him the title of Top Tech Entrepreneur in Canada in 2019, highlighting his ability to balance risk, regulation, and innovation in a nascent field. His work at Coinsquare helped legitimize digital currencies in the Canadian financial system—laying the groundwork for the country’s broader acceptance of blockchain technology.

Securing the Digital Asset Ecosystem: Tetra Trust

But Cole Diamond didn’t stop at exchanges. Recognizing the importance of safe, compliant storage for digital assets, he co-founded Tetra Trust, Canada’s first qualified custodian and trust company for digital assets.

Tetra Trust was a timely solution to a critical problem: as more institutions began investing in cryptocurrencies, they required a secure, compliant custodian—something that was missing in the Canadian market. By launching Tetra Trust, Diamond once again positioned himself as a first-mover, this time by addressing the back-end infrastructure needed to support crypto adoption at scale.

Beyond Crypto: The Entrepreneurial Spectrum

What sets Cole Diamond apart from other tech entrepreneurs is his refusal to be boxed into a single vertical. His career demonstrates a strategic leap from digital finance to real estate, retail commerce, and hospitality, showcasing his ability to adapt and lead across industries.

Real Estate and Strategic Assets

Cole has been building a diversified real estate portfolio, an often-overlooked but foundational pillar of long-term wealth creation. One of his most intriguing moves is acquiring the ultra-premium digital asset Diamond.com. While many might view domain ownership as a static investment, in the hands of someone like Diamond, it becomes a strategic lever for future brand development or digital commerce ventures.

Powering Retail Innovation: Ghost Kitchen Brands & Kinetic Commerce

Cole is currently the controlling shareholder of Ghost Kitchen Brands, a company that is disrupting the food delivery space by optimizing kitchen operations and brand distribution. Ghost kitchens eliminate the traditional dine-in model, instead focusing on online ordering and delivery—a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and sustained by consumer behavior.

He’s also the majority shareholder of Kinetic Commerce, a retail technology company enhancing omnichannel experiences for global brands. In an age where physical and digital retail must seamlessly integrate, Kinetic’s solutions empower retailers to keep pace with changing consumer expectations.

Culinary Ventures and Hospitality Leadership

Cole Diamond’s creativity and passion also extend into the hospitality and culinary scene. He is the co-founder, Director, and largest shareholder of Vela, a luxurious fine-dining restaurant in Toronto that has become a cultural hub and industry standard-setter.

In the U.S., he is one of the leading investors and a Director of Stella West Hollywood, a highly anticipated venue set to open in mid-2023. These investments reflect a deep understanding of consumer experience and design thinking—qualities that are increasingly important in hospitality.

Championing Emerging Startups and Funds

A central theme in Cole Diamond’s professional narrative is his commitment to empowering the next generation of builders and visionaries. His portfolio of investments spans both early-stage startups and emerging fund managers, indicating a dual strategy of direct innovation support and broader capital deployment.

Among the startups he supports are:

• Shoptype, a decentralized commerce platform.
  
  

• OneLocal, helping local businesses thrive with digital tools.
  
  

• RocketEV, contributing to the sustainable mobility revolution.
  
  

• Big Digital, a pioneer in digital display and media.
  
  

• Amino, building health tech solutions.
  
  

In addition, he invests in early-stage fund managers like NorthSouth, XMonetae, CPS, Harlo, Ripple, and Union—fostering a network of innovation across various domains.

Connecting the Dots: A Visionary's Blueprint

Cole Diamond’s work intersects digital finance, logistics, hospitality, real estate, and venture investment. This diverse engagement isn’t scattered—it’s synergistic. Each venture aligns with macroeconomic trends: decentralization, digital transformation, experiential consumption, and sustainability.

His strategic investment in high-value digital domains like Diamond.com is a metaphor for his career—timeless, valuable, and forward-looking. Whether building infrastructure in cryptocurrency, creating new retail models, or backing startups that rethink how we live and work, Cole is crafting a blueprint for entrepreneurship in the 21st century.

Looking Ahead: The Future According to Cole Diamond

The future for Cole Diamond appears as diversified and dynamic as his current portfolio. As blockchain technology, AI, and decentralized finance continue to evolve, leaders like Diamond—who combine regulatory knowledge, investor acumen, and technological vision—will be critical to shaping the future economy.

What can we learn from Cole’s journey?

1. First-mover advantage matters, but so does long-term adaptability.
   
   

2. Investing in infrastructure, whether digital or physical, pays long-term dividends.
   
   

3. Supporting innovation ecosystems, not just individual companies, creates ripple effects of success.
   
   

Conclusion: More Than an Entrepreneur—A Builder of Ecosystems

Cole Diamond isn’t just building companies—he’s building ecosystems. His ventures span industries, geographies, and technologies, but are unified by a central mission: to create lasting, scalable, and forward-thinking impact. As the lines between industries continue to blur, leaders like Diamond offer a roadmap for thriving in complexity.

The real question for the rest of us isn’t just how to emulate his success, but how to collaborate with and build upon the world he’s helping to shape.