Tyler Sherwin, '16, on Crypto and ROI

Tyler Sherwin recently connected with current business students at his alma mater to present his professional expertise in an exciting, expanding field: cryptocurrency. Sherwin is currently based in Maine, where he works at Cross River Bank, a digital infrastructure bank which is building crypto technology in connection with financial technology companies like Coinbase. 

Following graduation, Sherwin worked in finance for a few years. However, he soon realized that he wanted to work directly with customers and gain sales experience, so he moved to Southern California to work as a solar panel system salesman. One of his sales put him in touch with a hedge fund manager who was mining Bitcoin, and this interaction got him thinking about the expanding world of cryptocurrency. That interest quickly turned into a passion and Sherwin set about making crypto his career.  

His presentation to Walla Walla University students focused on how they can get involved with cryptocurrencies and find jobs in the field, as well as defining crypto, decentralized finance, and other similar subjects. It was an opportunity to share what he wished he could tell his college-age self. “This whole macroeconomic environment is positioned in such a way that if millennials, Gen Z, and others don't pay attention to crypto, they could very easily be left behind. That’s part of the reason I’m so passionate about crypto,” Sherwin explains.  

Sherwin adds that the foundation for his interest in decentralized finance and cryptocurrencies was born out of macroeconomics classes he took at WWU. Bruce Toews, dean of the School of Business, and other professors played instrumental roles in his understanding of the values that make cryptocurrencies work. To return the favor and pass on his own bit of wisdom to those at WWU was very exciting for Sherwin. “I just really enjoy sharing my passions.” 

 As a student at WWU, Sherwin was instrumental in drafting the School of Business Honor Code that is permanently etched in a glass display in Bowers Hall.  The Honor Code captures the values that professors seek to instill in business graduates.   

While WWU prepared him for the exciting and fulfilling career Sherwin now has, that isn’t what he considers his biggest takeaway from his time at WWU. “I met my wife Trinity in the library and we’ve been married for four years now. That has been the best return on investment.”