Debbie Soon is the Head of Marketing at Privy, a crypto wallet technology provider. Her career is marked by a series of strategic moves and contributions to emerging technologies and online communities, alongside her reputation as a key figure in the Web3 and entrepreneurial spaces. ^{[2] [3] [9]}

Early Life and Education

Debbie Soon grew up in Singapore, known for her ambition and unconventional approach to career decisions. She attended Raffles Girls' School and Hwa Chong Institution before pursuing higher education at the University of Cambridge, where she earned a B.A. in Economics. She continued her education at Columbia University in New York, obtaining a Master of Science in Financial Engineering. ^{[3] [9]}

Career

Early Career

Debbie Soon began her career at GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, where she managed an equity portfolio focused on global consumer companies. Her responsibilities included evaluating companies and engaging with management teams at firms such as LVMH and McDonald's, which served as the basis for later work with blockchain.

During her time at GIC, Soon founded 7Cycle, an indoor cycling studio in Singapore. She was responsible for the development and operation of the business until its acquisition by a local lifestyle company in 2015.

At GIC, she held the positions of Associate from 2011 to 2014, Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager from 2014 to 2018, and Vice President and Portfolio Manager in 2018. As an equity analyst within the Total Return Group, her coverage included large-cap companies in the consumer and technology sectors.

ONE Championship

Soon joined ONE Championship in 2018 as Senior Manager, Corporate Development. She later served as Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer.

During this period, she worked on projects related to ONE Esports, including investment activities involving Dentsu, Inc. and the development of the esports business. She also participated in partnership discussions with game developers including Capcom, Moonton, and Valve through PGL.

She was involved in the establishment of ONE Championship's operations in Japan, including organizational development and event activities in Tokyo.

In November 2019, Soon was appointed Vice President and Head of Consumer Products. In this role, she founded ONE.SHOP and oversaw product development, merchandising, customer service, operations, logistics, marketing, and ecommerce activities.

Founder-in-Residence at M13

In 2021, Soon joined M13 as Founder-in-Residence. Based in Los Angeles, she worked with M13 and PepsiCo on business concepts related to the wellness sector.

HUG

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Soon relocated to the United States and later co-founded HUG with Randi Zuckerberg.

Founded in 2022, HUG operated as a marketplace and community platform that facilitated the sale of physical artworks and onchain collectibles, including NFTs. Soon served as Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer.

Her responsibilities included corporate strategy, marketing, educational programming, partnerships, events, content initiatives, and community-related activities. She also worked on educational programs focused on blockchain technology and generative AI.

During her tenure, HUG entered partnerships with organizations including the Los Angeles Chargers, DIOR, and the United Nations. The company raised $5 million in seed funding from investors including L'Oréal and OKX and was acquired by .ART in 2025.

HUG also administered artist grants, scholarships, and programs connecting creators with exhibitions and other professional opportunities.

Privy

Following the acquisition of HUG, Soon joined Privy as Head of Marketing.

At Privy, her work included marketing activities related to products focused on digital wallets, consumer applications, and infrastructure associated with onchain technologies. The company also developed products involving self-custodial wallets and tools for AI-related applications.

Following Privy's acquisition by Stripe, Soon assumed a Product Marketing role at Stripe.

Author

In 2025, Soon published Digital Mavericks: A Guide to Web3, NFTs, and Becoming the Main Character of the Next Internet Revolution through Wiley.

The book covers topics related to Web3, NFTs, blockchain technology, and the onchain economy, incorporating examples and accounts from individuals working in the sector.

Industry Activities

Throughout her career, Soon has been involved in initiatives related to blockchain technology, digital communities, and creator-focused platforms. Her professional activities have included work across the technology, entrepreneurship, and arts sectors. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [9] [8] [7] [6] [5]}

Interviews

Discussion on Stablecoin Use Cases #01

In an interview published on the Onchain Growth Club YouTube channel on April 12, 2026, Debbie Soon discussed wallet infrastructure, stablecoin-related use cases, artificial intelligence applications, and the relationship between crypto-native and enterprise markets.

During the interview, Soon described Privy as a provider of wallet infrastructure designed to allow applications to incorporate digital asset functionality into existing user experiences. She stated that the company serves a range of customers, including independent developers, technology companies, financial platforms, and enterprises. Soon characterized wallets as digital accounts that can be integrated into applications while remaining largely abstracted from end users.

Soon discussed the use of stablecoins within financial applications, citing examples such as cross-border payments, payroll systems, treasury operations, and digital asset platforms. She stated that stablecoins are being adopted in various financial contexts due to characteristics such as programmability, continuous availability, and compatibility with blockchain-based networks.

The interview also addressed the use of wallet infrastructure in artificial intelligence applications. According to Soon, AI agents may require wallets and transaction controls to interact with digital assets and execute predefined actions. She stated that wallet systems developed for financial applications can also be adapted for automated and agent-based use cases.

Soon commented on Privy’s acquisition by Stripe, describing the company’s continued operation as a distinct organization following the transaction. She stated that the acquisition created opportunities for collaboration with Stripe’s broader cryptocurrency-related initiatives while allowing Privy to continue serving its existing customer base. During the discussion, she referenced enterprise customers and partnerships, including Klarna and Kraken.

The conversation also covered Stripe’s involvement in digital asset infrastructure. Soon discussed the relationship between wallet services and stablecoin-related products within Stripe’s ecosystem, including the role of Bridge in facilitating conversions between fiat currencies and digital assets. She stated that these services may be used together in applications involving payments, card issuance, digital wallets, and asset transfers.

Throughout the interview, Soon described Privy’s approach to serving both crypto-native developers and institutional organizations. She stated that the company continues to participate in developer-focused initiatives while also engaging with businesses exploring blockchain-based financial infrastructure. ^[10]