Ex-Symbolic Principal Joins Pantera to Lead Crypto-AI Investments

Sam Lehman, former principal at Symbolic Capital, has transitioned to a junior partner role at Pantera Capital, Blockworks reports exclusively. Lehman's hiring underscores Pantera's strategic push into crypto-AI investments, a sector poised to absorb a significant portion of the firm's $1 billion-targeted Fund V.

Pantera, with $4.8 billion in assets under management, has already backed projects like Bittensor and led Sahara AI's $43 million funding round. General partner Cosmo Jiang confirms the firm is actively monitoring emerging crypto-AI hybrids such as Grass.

Lehman brings hands-on experience from Symbolic, where he executed multiple deals at the crypto-AI intersection and published research on AI model development techniques. His appointment expands Pantera's partnership team to four junior partners alongside senior leadership.