Nao Kitazawa

Nao Kitazawa is a seasoned leader at the intersection of venture capital, fintech, and digital assets. Currently a Venture Partner at Eight Roads Ventures, he also serves on the boards of AnyMind Group and Kyash, bringing strategic insight to high-growth companies.
Previously, he was the Head of Coinbase Japan, where he played a key role in bringing Coinbase into the Japanese market, securing regulatory approvals and laying the foundation for its operations. Before that, he served as COO at Money Design, a pioneering fintech startup. His early career includes roles as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley, where he advised on financial strategies, and as a lawyer at Paul Hastings.
Beyond his corporate roles, Nao has been instrumental in shaping Japan’s fintech landscape, serving as a founding board member of the Fintech Association of Japan. His expertise in financial innovation is also reflected in his book, Who Champions Fintech (Kadokawa).
With a deep passion for technology-driven finance, venture investment, and digital identity, Nao continues to drive the evolution of Japan’s financial ecosystem while engaging in the broader web3 space.