Thomas Coughlin
Thomas Coughlin is the Chief Executive Officer of Kinesis Money, a monetary system based on physical gold and silver that integrates blockchain technology. He has established himself as a leader in the precious metals and financial technology sectors, with extensive experience in trading and market operations.
Overview
Thomas Coughlin has built a career spanning over 15 years in the financial markets, with a particular focus on precious metals trading and financial technology. Prior to founding Kinesis Money, he served as the CEO of Allocated Bullion Exchange (ABX), where he developed expertise in the global wholesale physical bullion markets. [1] His professional background includes significant experience in trading, strategy development, and market operations, which he has leveraged to develop innovative financial systems combining traditional precious metals with modern blockchain technology. [2]
Coughlin's work has centered on addressing what he perceives as fundamental issues in the current monetary system. Through his leadership at Kinesis Money, he has focused on creating alternative monetary solutions that aim to provide stability through asset-backing while incorporating technological innovations for efficiency and accessibility. His approach combines traditional financial principles with emerging technologies to develop new monetary frameworks. [3]
Career
Allocated Bullion Exchange
Before establishing Kinesis Money, Thomas Coughlin founded and led the Allocated Bullion Exchange (ABX), a global physical precious metals exchange. At ABX, he developed systems for trading, clearing, and settlement of physical bullion, creating infrastructure that would later inform his work at Kinesis. [2] His experience at ABX provided him with insights into the mechanics of precious metals markets and the challenges faced by participants in these markets.
During his tenure at ABX, Coughlin worked to modernize precious metals trading by implementing electronic systems and standardizing processes across different international markets. This work established his reputation in the precious metals industry and laid the groundwork for his later innovations. [1]
Kinesis Money
As the founder and CEO of Kinesis Money, Thomas Coughlin has led the development of a monetary system that combines physical gold and silver with blockchain technology. The Kinesis system includes digital currencies (KAU for gold and KAG for silver) that are fully backed by physical precious metals stored in secure vaults around the world. [4]
Under Coughlin's leadership, Kinesis has developed several key components:
- A blockchain-based monetary system with currencies backed by physical gold and silver
- A yield system that distributes a portion of transaction fees back to users
- A global exchange platform for trading Kinesis currencies and other assets
- Integration with traditional payment systems to enable practical use of metal-backed currencies [3]
Coughlin has stated regarding his vision: "What we're trying to do is create a monetary system that actually works for the people that use it, rather than just the institutions that issue it." [4]
Business Philosophy
Thomas Coughlin's business approach is characterized by a focus on creating practical solutions to what he identifies as structural problems in the existing monetary system. He has frequently discussed the importance of asset-backing for currencies and the role of yield in monetary systems. [3]
Key aspects of his business philosophy include:
- Emphasis on asset-backed currencies as alternatives to fiat money
- Integration of traditional financial principles with new technologies
- Focus on creating systems that distribute value to participants
- Development of practical applications for blockchain technology in everyday financial transactions [1]
In interviews, Coughlin has expressed: "The problem with our current monetary system is that it's designed to extract value rather than create and distribute it. We're building something fundamentally different." [4]
Industry Contributions
Coughlin has contributed to discussions about monetary innovation, precious metals markets, and the application of blockchain technology in financial systems. He has participated in industry conferences and interviews where he shares insights about alternative monetary systems and the integration of traditional assets with new technologies. [3]
His work has focused on several areas:
- Developing infrastructure for physical precious metals trading
- Creating mechanisms for digitizing ownership of physical assets
- Designing systems that enable yield generation from traditionally non-yielding assets like gold and silver
- Building payment solutions that bridge traditional finance and blockchain-based systems [1]
Educational Background
While specific details about Thomas Coughlin's formal education are not extensively documented in the provided sources, his professional background demonstrates expertise in financial markets, precious metals trading, and financial technology. His career trajectory suggests specialized knowledge in these fields, developed through both practical experience and formal training. [2]
Public Presence
Thomas Coughlin maintains a public presence primarily through his role as CEO of Kinesis Money. He has participated in interviews, webinars, and industry events where he discusses monetary innovation, precious metals markets, and blockchain technology. [3]
His public communications typically focus on:
- Explaining the technical aspects of the Kinesis monetary system
- Discussing broader economic trends and their implications
- Analyzing the role of precious metals in modern financial systems
- Exploring the potential of blockchain technology in transforming monetary systems [4]
Industry Recognition
Through his work at ABX and Kinesis Money, Coughlin has established himself as an innovator in the intersection of precious metals and financial technology. While specific awards or formal recognition are not detailed in the provided sources, his continued leadership role and the growth of Kinesis Money indicate a level of industry acknowledgment for his contributions to developing alternative monetary systems. [1]