Grant Committee Candidacy Application
Name
Andrew Liffey (TheOyster / @OnlyDeFiGuy)
Timezone
SGT (Singapore Time)
English Proficiency
Native speaker
Committee Position
DeFi Expert
Qualifications
- Senior Quantitative Trader leading a high-frequency trading team in Singapore
- Specialized in Maximal Extractable Value (MEV), DeFi, financial markets, and smart contract financial transactions
- Extensive experience in traditional financial markets:
- Former securities and markets regulator for The Central Bank of Ireland
- Previously licensed securities broker for Interactive Brokers Ireland
- Ex-derivatives trader for Onix Capital London
- Highly proficient in JavaScript, TypeScript, Solidity, and Python; currently learning Rust
- Economics, Finance, and Business degree from Tilburg University, Netherlands
- US securities license from the SEC
- Long-time Moonbeam developer community member and active participant in the ecosystem
- Extensive experience handling user queries in the Polkadot ecosystem
- Moonbeam Season 4 grant committee member
Background
My journey from traditional capital markets to the cutting edge of DeFi has been transformative. After building my skills in traditional finance, I developed a passion for algorithms and coding, which completely changed my perspective on financial markets, crypto, and the world at large.
This passion led me to immerse myself in the DeFi ecosystem on Polkadot, where I became a significant trading entity across every DeFi parachain, with a particular focus on Moonbeam. Recently, I accepted an opportunity to lead a high-frequency trading team for a firm in Singapore.
As a quantitative trader based in Singapore, I now lead a crypto trading team focused on MEV. This role has provided invaluable experience, placing me at the forefront of decentralized finance markets. I consider myself one of the most experienced professionals globally in smart contract markets.
I’m deeply passionate about Polkadot, Moonbeam, and the broader ecosystem. My expertise has even been recognized by the treasury, which has tipped me to write expert reports on DeFi in the Polkadot ecosystem!
Experience
As a seasoned professional in the DeFi space, I offer a wealth of hands-on experience and technical expertise:
- Development and deployment of custom smart contracts across multiple blockchains
- Consultation and advisory roles for numerous DeFi projects
- Extensive experience as a market maker in various DeFi assets, tokens, and financial derivatives
- Execution of millions of transactions, demonstrating a deep understanding of blockchain financial markets
- Currently leading a team focused on Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) strategies
My comprehensive involvement in DeFi spans from foundational development to high-level strategy, enabling me to offer practical insights and innovative solutions in this rapidly evolving field.
Prior to crypto, my background in traditional financial markets, particularly my time at the Central Bank, instilled in me the values of honesty, fairness, and truthfulness, principles I continue to uphold in the dynamic world of DeFi.
Motivation
Having served on the grant committee for the past six months, I’m excited to apply for a second term. My motivation has changed since my last application as during the last season as I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the committee during season 4. I found the calls and grant discussions to be engaging, funny, thought-provoking, and exciting. I really enjoyed my time on the committee and would love to participate again. Collaborating with fellow committee members was a pleasure, and the experience has broadened my perspective on global crypto markets, particularly through interactions with Brazilian teams and individuals we met along the way.
I believe I made a positive impact on the grant committee during Season 4, offering a unique perspective. I’m eager for the opportunity to contribute to the program again.
Once season 4 has fully completed I will make a post outlining my experience on the committee to share my thoughts in full.
If selected for this position, my goals are:
- To nurture and expand the DeFi ecosystem on Moonbeam
- To “put the ladder down” for the next person with a laptop and a dream, just as Moonbeam did for me
I plan to achieve these goals by supporting the documentation team and leveraging my DeFi network to attract more talented DeFi builders to our ecosystem.
Room for Improvement from Season 4
Midway through the last season, we were encouraged to promote the program and increase deal flow. While I didn’t conceal this aspect previously, I had assumed we were meant to be neutral parties. If elected for this season, I intend to make a more concerted effort to personally bring projects into the program, rather than solely reviewing incoming applications. I believe taking a more proactive role in deal flow would significantly benefit the program.
Code of Conduct
I agree to uphold the code of conduct.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest.
Availability
I am prepared to commit 10+ hours per week to the program and look forward to doing so.
Thank you for considering my application. Regardless of the outcome, I will remain an active community member. I’m excited about this opportunity and am committed to contributing to the Moonbeam ecosystem, whether as a committee member for Season 5 or as an enthusiastic community participant.
May your transactions always be fast (but not as fast as mine 
), and your gas fees always low!
Kind regards,
Andrew Liffey / OnlyDeFiGuy