Nikita Ovchinnik’s Transition from 1inch to Barter DeFi

Nikita Ovchinnik played a crucial role in the growth of 1inch by obtaining funding and establishing key partnerships within the DeFi sector. Subsequently, he launched Barter DeFi to enhance on-chain trade routing and improve liquidity efficiency. While early 2020 proved to be challenging for many, it was a fruitful period for Nikita Ovchinnik. As many were still getting used to the fast-evolving environment, he stepped into a field that remained mostly unfamiliar to the wider public—DeFi. He became part of 1inch Network not as a co-founder, but as the first external hire. However, that is where he developed his role significantly. He not only contributed to 1inch’s recognition but also guided the platform to achieve the status of the largest DEX aggregator based on daily volume. Behind the scenes, it was Nikita who established the overall direction. His role extended beyond merely identifying connections or crafting impressive presentations for investors. He played a key part in technical growth, overseeing integrations, and most importantly, spearheading fundraising efforts. Due to his quick and effective strategy, 1inch successfully secured $175 million in Series B funding—an amount that would astonish numerous DeFi startups. Nikita Ovchinnik has co-founded Barter DeFi to enhance trade execution. Following the successful expansion of 1inch, Nikita opted not to take an extended break like many other tech executives. Instead, he jumped into a fresh initiative called Barter DeFi.