Meet Alexei, CEO and Co-founder of Rarible

Much of the success of an orchestra depends on how great its conductor is—and at Rarible, that conductor is Alexei Falin. As CEO and co-founder, Alexei leads the charge in empowering creators and communities to thrive in the world of NFTs. A serial entrepreneur with a deep passion for blockchain innovation, he brings curiosity and resilience to everything he does.

Read on to discover how Alexei is shaping the future of NFTs and orchestrating Rarible’s next exciting chapter.

A man of business

Even before founding and managing his own businesses, Alexei’s analytical mind was evident. With a background in mathematics, physics, and economics, he quickly discovered his knack for problem-solving. But Alexei’s entrepreneurial spirit pushed him beyond academic theories—it extended to creating businesses that bridged creativity and technology. One of his earliest ventures was Sticker.Place, a platform that allowed artists to sell their work as stickers, which later evolved into a thriving mobile apps business.

By 2016, Alexei’s fascination with blockchain technology had taken root. “I started following Bitcoin after the white paper and was amazed by its potential,” he recalls. However, at the time, blockchain’s applications were limited. “Back then, there wasn’t much you could do beyond exchanging fiat for Bitcoin,” he explains. It wasn’t until Ethereum entered the scene that Alexei saw the chance to build meaningful, real-world applications.

"I wanted to create something meaningful that merged blockchain with creativity.”

The birth of Rarible

In 2019, Alexei teamed up with co-founder Alex Salnikov and other close collaborators to launch Rarible. The idea was simple but revolutionary: a user-friendly platform where anyone could mint, sell, and trade NFTs. “The market was tiny when we started,” Alexei recalls. “There weren’t even wallets that supported NFTs properly. But we believed in the potential of NFTs as cultural assets that could connect people and communities.”

From its early days as a minting tool and marketplace, Rarible grew rapidly, attracting creators and collectors from around the world.

“What I’m most proud of is how we’ve empowered so many artists to transform their lives. We’ve heard stories of people paying off loans, buying homes, and funding education through the income they earned on Rarible. Knowing we can make such an impact keeps me inspired every day.”

Leading with vision and values

Today, Rarible stands as a global leader in the NFT space. What began with the Rarible.com NFT marketplace has evolved into a multifaceted business, including RaribleX—a branded marketplace builder that brought an enterprise vertical to the company. By creating tailored NFT marketplaces for Fortune 500 companies like Mattel and Lamborghini, and blockchain networks like Eclipse and Celo, Rarible has expanded its reach while maintaining its purpose: empowering creators and communities to build the onchain world.

“Even as we work with some of the biggest names out there, our purpose remains the same. It’s about giving people the tools to create, trade, and explore digital culture.”

Alexei’s leadership style combines strategic vision with a hands-on connection to the industry. A firm believer in blockchain’s transformative power, he takes pride in Rarible’s role in onboarding people to web3. “By making NFTs accessible, we’ve helped bring more people into the blockchain space,” he explains.

When he’s not leading the charge at Rarible, Alexei is either practicing sports or experimenting with new blockchain products and trading.

For those considering joining or building in web3, Alexei offers simple yet profound advice:

“Don’t hesitate. This is the golden age of blockchain innovation. The possibilities are endless. Find a niche you’re passionate about and build the best product you can. Yes, there are challenges, but the potential to make a real impact is unparalleled.”

Looking ahead

As Alexei looks to the future, he sees an ever-growing role for NFTs in shaping digital culture. “We believe that the future will be bright for digital goods,” he shares. “Rarible is creating a dynamic platform that empowers creators and brands to launch their digital products and cultivate vibrant, sustainable communities in a fun, safe, and easy way.”

With a focus on making NFT trading more accessible and engaging, Rarible is ready to lead the next wave of innovation in the space. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been cooking.