Kirsten Pomales

hey, i'm kirsten!

I lead TalentLayer, a developer guild that's been building open-source and crypto tech together for 3+ years. I also run Recursive, a software development studio helping teams build crypto and AI products.


I've spent the past 8 years in crypto full-time, building VC backed protocol networks, enterprise blockchain systems, & open-source software communities.


Dropout and self-taught dev.


I've been building software startups since I was 16. I've tried a lot, failed a lot, and learned a lot.


My 1st crypto transaction was buying a pocket knife with $DASH during PorcFest 2018.


I ran an IEEE research group on Blockchain Governance from 2019 to 2021. You can listen to my lectures on blockchain governance and ecosystem design, hosted by INATBA (European Commission blockchain association), The IEEE, Fedex Institute of Technology, Hyperledger Foundation and others. I also consulted multiple enterprise blockchain projects during that time.


Before that, I spent 4 years working in politics on issues like freedom of speech, corporate cronyism, and criminal justice reform. I left when I realized it is faster to build tech that enables freedom instead of fighting existing systems.


My most fundamental belief is that humans are autonomous; that is, they are able to take action to impact their environment and circumstances. Anything can be done by anyone with enough willpower and grit. We make our own reality. When we realize this, we are free.


Ask me about Cryptoanarchy.


Attempting to be based in Portugal, but usually hopping blockchain hackathons.


Above all, building a tribe.

growth mode

I'm building a few projects at the moment. Check them out here!

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Recursive Studio, Partner

a development studio helping teams ship powerful crypto and AI products


šŸŸ¢ Jan 2025 - Present

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TalentLayer Guild, Founder

a developer guild building products in ai and crypto. led by the origional team from TalentLayer protocol (see below).


šŸŸ¢ July 2022 - Present

prior startups

I've built multiple VC-backed, revenue generating startups like marketplaces, data infra, and more.

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Revyou, CEO

the easiest way to aggregate and show off your work reputation. import and collect reviews from your clients, show them off in a stylish portfolio page.


šŸŸ¢ Sept 2024 - Present

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TalentLayer Protocol, CEO

an open-source blockchain infrastructure decentralized marketplaces with interoperable reputation. backed by outlier ventures, founders of The Graph, Kleros, +


šŸŸ” July 2022 - Sept 2024

hackathon projects

I've been to 15+ hackathons in the past two years. Most of the time, I'm there building work tech proofs of concepts. I've won prizes at the past 6 that I've hacked at.