Nejc Kodrič

Co-Founder & Former CEO of Bitstamp, Bitstamp

Bio

Nejc Kodrič is a Slovenian technology entrepreneur best known for co-founding Bitstamp, one of the earliest surviving cryptocurrency exchanges, with Damijan Merlak in 2011. The founders started the company with approximately €1,000, two laptops and a server, according to Kodrič's own account. Bitstamp emerged during the early Bitcoin era — when the exchange market was dominated by Mt. Gox — and developed into a major European cryptocurrency exchange. Kodrič served as CEO from 2011 until October 2020, when Julian Sawyer was appointed CEO and Kodrič transitioned into a non-executive role on Bitstamp's Board of Directors. Under his leadership, Bitstamp achieved a landmark Luxembourg regulatory authorization in 2016 and was acquired by Belgian investment firm NXMH in 2018. Bitstamp was subsequently acquired by Robinhood in 2025. Kodrič is no longer involved in Bitstamp's operations. He has been active as an angel investor in fintech and technology startups.

Profile at a glance

Country: Slovenia
Status: Former

Work & Project Background

Bitstamp
Co-Founder

Key Contributions

Bitstamp

Co-founded one of the earliest surviving cryptocurrency exchanges with Damijan Merlak in 2011, launching with approximately €1,000 in initial capital.

European Crypto Regulation

Led Bitstamp during its landmark Luxembourg regulatory authorization in 2016, helping establish compliance as a competitive advantage in the European exchange market.

Exchange Infrastructure

Helped build fiat-to-crypto trading infrastructure during Bitcoin's early commercial expansion, providing a European alternative in a market dominated by Mt. Gox.

Security & Resilience

Led Bitstamp through major early-industry operational and security challenges, including the January 2015 hot-wallet incident, and rebuilt the platform's infrastructure.

Crypto Entrepreneurship

Helped establish Slovenia and Europe as important parts of the early cryptocurrency startup ecosystem, building one of the longest-surviving exchanges from the 2011 era.

Timeline

Pre-2011

Studied Organization and Management of Information Systems and Economics in Slovenia. Developed an early interest in technology and software.

August 2011

Co-founded Bitstamp with Damijan Merlak, launching the exchange with approximately €1,000, two laptops and one server. Bitstamp was created as a European alternative in a market dominated by Mt. Gox.

2013–2014

Led Bitstamp through early European and international expansion, building fiat-to-crypto trading infrastructure during Bitcoin's early commercial period. Bitstamp received the "Best Virtual Currency Start-up" recognition at The Europas in June 2014.

January 4, 2015

Bitstamp experienced a security incident in which operational hot wallets were compromised, resulting in the loss of less than 19,000 BTC (approximately $5 million at the time). Cold storage was not affected. The platform suspended service temporarily and rebuilt its infrastructure.

2016

Bitstamp achieved a landmark regulatory authorization in Luxembourg, becoming one of the first cryptocurrency exchanges to receive formal regulatory recognition in the European Union.

October 29, 2018

Belgian investment firm NXMH acquired an 80% stake in Bitstamp in an all-cash deal. Co-founder Damijan Merlak sold his entire 30% stake and had not been active in the company since 2015. Kodrič retained approximately 10% and continued as CEO.

2018–2020

Continued as CEO of Bitstamp following the NXMH acquisition, leading the exchange through continued European and institutional growth.

October 22, 2020

Stepped down as CEO. Julian Sawyer was appointed as the new CEO. Kodrič transitioned into a non-executive role as a member of Bitstamp's Board of Directors.

2021

A legal dispute arose between Kodrič and Bitstamp's owners over share-sale provisions. A UK High Court judge subsequently ruled that Kodrič must sell his remaining approximately 9.8% stake to NXMH as agreed at the time of the 2018 acquisition.

June 2025

Robinhood completed its acquisition of Bitstamp for approximately $200 million in cash. Bitstamp is now branded "Bitstamp by Robinhood" and operates as part of Robinhood's global crypto business.

August 2026

No longer involved in Bitstamp's operations or ownership. Active as an angel investor in fintech and technology startups, including companies such as Apto Payments. Current operating role beyond investing is not publicly established.