Mariano Conti
Full Name: Mariano Conti
Country / Nationality: Argentina
Notable Projects / Contributions: Core Engineer and Head of Smart Contracts at MakerDAO, instrumental in the development of the Dai stablecoin and Maker Protocol. Co-founder of Ether.fi and Argentum.
Previous Experience / Career Background: Over a decade of experience in software development prior to joining MakerDAO. Co-founded Argentum (Web3 advisory and incubation firm) and Ether.fi (liquid restaking protocol) after his time at MakerDAO.
Major Achievements in Web3: Key contributor to the MakerDAO protocol and Dai stablecoin. Demonstrated the feasibility of living entirely on cryptocurrency. Co-founded successful Web3 projects Ether.fi and Argentum.
Funding / Investors Associated: Ether.fi (co-founded by Mariano Conti) has raised funding from investors including North Island Ventures, Chapter One, and Laser Digital.
Social Profiles:
- X (Twitter): @nanexcool
- LinkedIn: Mariano Conti
Mariano Conti – The MakerDAO Engineer Who Lived Entirely on Crypto
Mariano Conti stands out in the blockchain and Web3 space not just as a brilliant engineer, but as someone who pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible with decentralized finance. As a key figure at MakerDAO, he played a crucial role in building foundational DeFi infrastructure, but it was his personal commitment to living entirely on cryptocurrency that truly demonstrated the practical viability of a crypto-centric lifestyle. Conti’s journey showcased how blockchain technology could move beyond investment and truly integrate into everyday financial independence.
An Argentine by birth, Mariano Conti’s early experiences with economic instability and hyperinflation in his home country provided a powerful impetus for his interest in decentralized and censorship-resistant money. This background deeply informed his perspective and drove his eventual involvement in the nascent cryptocurrency space. He saw in blockchain a potential solution to the vulnerabilities inherent in traditional financial systems, a vision he would later help bring to life at MakerDAO.
As the former Head of Smart Contracts at MakerDAO, Mariano Conti was instrumental in the development and stability of Dai, the decentralized stablecoin, and the broader Maker Protocol. Launched as one of the earliest and most successful DeFi projects, MakerDAO provided the architecture for collateralized debt positions, allowing users to generate Dai against their crypto assets. Under Conti’s technical leadership, MakerDAO became a cornerstone of the DeFi ecosystem, enabling a stable, permissionless lending and borrowing market that has processed billions in value and underpins numerous other Web3 applications.
Conti’s most widely recognized experiment began in 2018 when he publicly committed to living exclusively on cryptocurrency. This wasn’t just a personal challenge; it was a real-world stress test for the entire DeFi and crypto payments ecosystem. Through his transparent sharing of experiences, he meticulously documented how he managed daily expenses, from rent and groceries to various services, all by leveraging Dai and other cryptocurrencies. This daring venture demonstrated the potential for true financial self-sovereignty and highlighted both the triumphs and the practical hurdles of relying solely on decentralized money.
His commitment extended beyond mere survival; it was a living advocacy for the principles of decentralization and financial freedom. By openly navigating the complexities of crypto-only living—including managing volatility, gas fees, and the availability of crypto-friendly services—Mariano provided invaluable insights for developers and users alike. His experiment served as a powerful educational tool, demystifying the practical applications of DeFi and showcasing how these nascent technologies could genuinely serve as an alternative financial backbone.
Today, Mariano Conti remains a passionate voice for the future of decentralized finance. He frequently speaks about the necessity of robust, user-friendly DeFi solutions, the ongoing challenges of mainstream adoption, and the philosophical underpinnings of financial independence through blockchain. His insights continue to inspire and guide those building the next generation of decentralized applications.
For Web3 builders and upcoming blockchain projects, Mariano Conti’s journey is a powerful reminder that innovation thrives when vision meets practical application. Emerging founders can learn from his commitment to stress-testing decentralized solutions in the real world, ensuring that theoretical potential translates into tangible, user-centric value.
Platforms like Web3Lead, designed to help projects grow through data-driven insights and access to millions of Web3 user profiles, further amplify this mission. By empowering builders with analytics, segmentation tools, and audience intelligence, Web3Lead supports the next generation of creators shaping the decentralized future Mariano envisioned.
Mariano Conti’s impact on Web3 is undeniable—his work and personal conviction continue to inspire a future where decentralized finance offers a viable alternative for financial freedom.