Vivek Raman (Etherealize): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Vivek Raman is a multifaceted professional known primarily for his pioneering work at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain technology. As the co-founder and CEO of Etherealize, a company dedicated to bridging Ethereum with institutional investors, Raman stands out as a visionary shaping the future of digital assets on Wall Street. With a solid background rooted in high-yield credit trading at major financial institutions such as Nomura and UBS, and a significant presence in the burgeoning decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, his career trajectory exemplifies the fusion of deep financial expertise and innovative technology adoption. This article explores ten intriguing facets of Vivek Raman’s influential career, contributions, and ongoing impact—from his strategic role at Etherealize to his ventures in cloud engineering and urban development.

1. Early Career in Traditional Finance and Credit Trading

Vivek Raman’s professional journey began in the traditional finance sector, where he amassed over a decade of experience managing distressed and high-yield credit portfolios. He worked as a Vice President in credit trading roles at prestigious investment banks including Nomura, Deutsche Bank, UBS, and Morgan Stanley. His expertise covered sectors such as retail, shipping, tech, media, and gaming, making him a seasoned trader and analyst. This strong foundation in traditional markets provided Raman with invaluable insights into institutional finance and the operational challenges institutional investors face, particularly around credit risk and asset management.

2. Transition to Decentralized Finance and Digital Assets

Around 2021, Raman shifted his focus towards decentralized finance, joining Celsius as a Senior DeFi Researcher and later BitOoda as Managing Director for Crypto and AI Investment Banking. At BitOoda, he spearheaded the development of Ethereum-related products and institutional-grade tokenization solutions, advocating for Proof of Stake and Layer 2 scaling ecosystems. This transition marked a deliberate move to apply his financial acumen to blockchain and crypto’s evolving frontier, emphasizing solutions that can integrate seamlessly with legacy systems and regulatory expectations.

3. Founding Etherealize: Bridging Ethereum and Wall Street

In August 2024, Raman co-founded Etherealize with the support of industry leaders including Vitalik Buterin and the Ethereum Foundation. Etherealize aims to serve as the institutional marketing and product arm of the Ethereum ecosystem, designed to onboard traditional financial institutions. The company focuses on building institutional-grade products, educational initiatives, and strategic partnerships that facilitate Ethereum adoption among TradFi players. Etherealize distinguishes itself by combining expertise from both Wall Street and the Ethereum community, fostering trust and credibility in Ethereum's security and potential as a financial infrastructure.

4. Vivek Raman’s Vision: Ethereum as the Digital Oil for Finance

Raman frequently describes Ethereum as the "digital oil" of the modern financial system. This analogy underscores Ethereum’s role as the foundational infrastructure enabling tokenization, stablecoins, and various decentralized applications. He argues that Ethereum's security, decentralization, and evolving technology stack position it as a critical asset class for institutional portfolios. His vision also involves Ethereum becoming the neutral benchmark that connects global tokenized assets, revolutionizing how financial products and services operate at scale.

5. Vivek Raman Nomura Experience and Institutional Credibility

Before his blockchain ventures, Raman’s tenure at Nomura as Vice President, Distressed/High-Yield Credit Trader allowed him to deepen relationships with institutional clients and extend Nomura’s credit franchise in special situation sectors. His experience at Nomura significantly shaped his understanding of institutional client needs, which he now translates into building products and services for Ethereum that meet regulatory and operational standards necessary for institutional adoption.

6. Current Role at Costco: Director of Engineering - Cloud and Container Enablement

Besides his leadership in crypto and finance, another Vivek Raman has established a notable career in software engineering, currently serving as Director of Engineering - Cloud and Container Enablement at Costco Wholesale. His role focuses on enabling Costco's cloud platform journey by integrating containerization technologies, improving infrastructure scalability, and operational excellence. This role highlights the diverse accomplishments associated with the name and reflects a strong background in engineering leadership and cloud computing.

7. Contributions to Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Knowledge Management

A different individual named Vivek Raman plays a significant role at the Asian Development Bank as a Principal Urban Development Specialist and Knowledge Management expert. He supports knowledge programs, innovation best practices, and urban livability projects across Asia-Pacific countries. His efforts in capacity building, policy reform, and sustainable urban development demonstrate another dimension of expertise related to governance, development finance, and innovation in public sector knowledge management.

8. Vivek Raman Costco and Technology Leadership

Linked with the Director of Engineering role at Costco, this Vivek Raman significantly impacts the retail giant’s IT and cloud infrastructure strategies. His leadership in container platforms and enterprise cloud adoption is vital for Costco's digital transformation and operational scalability. This role, distinct from the crypto entrepreneur, underscores how professionals with the same name have made high-impact contributions in diverse industries, including retail technology.

9. Vivek Raman ADB: Urban Development and Innovation in Asia-Pacific

At the Asian Development Bank, Vivek Raman advances solutions for urban development challenges in Asia. He contributes to projects focusing on finance, gender equality, knowledge partnerships, and disaster resilience. His work supports sustainable city initiatives, reflecting his expertise in managing multi-sector urban projects and applying foresight methodologies to enhance development outcomes for vulnerable populations within developing member countries.

10. Fundraising and Strategic Partnerships for Etherealize

As of mid-2025, Etherealize has raised significant capital, including a $40 million financing round led by major Web3 investors like Electric Capital and Paradigm, and support from Vitalik Buterin. The fundraising aims to scale Etherealize’s institutional adoption efforts and product development, addressing the market’s need for safer, regulated, and user-friendly institutional Ethereum products. Raman also emphasizes community engagement and regulatory clarity as critical components of Etherealize’s strategy to accelerate mainstream acceptance.

Conclusion

Vivek Raman embodies a unique convergence of traditional finance wisdom and cutting-edge blockchain innovation. His leadership at Etherealize and previous roles showcase a commitment to bringing Ethereum into mainstream institutional finance by addressing security, scalability, and regulatory challenges. Furthermore, the breadth of expertise across different individuals named Vivek Raman—from urban development in Asia-Pacific to cloud engineering at Costco—reflects the diversity of impactful contributions associated with this name. As Ethereum grows in stature as a foundational technology, Raman’s efforts raise a thought-provoking question: How will bridging these worlds redefine the future of global financial infrastructure and economic opportunity?