Carolina Rios, associate partner and head of virtual assets at Karm Legal Consultants: Each week, My Morning Routine looks at how a successful member of the business community starts their day — and then throws in a couple of business questions for fun. Speaking to us this week is Carolina Rios (LinkedIn), associate partner and head of virtual assets at Karm Legal Consultants. Edited excerpts from our conversation below.

I’m Carolina Rios, associate partner and head of virtual assets at Karm Legal Consultants. I was born in Colombia, and my journey has taken me from Latin America to South Korea and now the UAE. These three completely different places have each shaped how I think about law, technology, and people. I studied law in Colombia and did my postgraduate degree in South Korea, where I lived for 13 years. Moving through such distinct cultures taught me adaptability, how to listen, observe, and adjust. Those lessons have been invaluable in my life and career.

My path into the virtual assets space began with curiosity. I was fascinated by how blockchain could create new models for trust and ownership. Back then, regulations were practically non-existent, so I learned by researching, following global cases, and asking hard questions.

At Karm, I lead the virtual assets practice, guiding a team of lawyers who advise clients across every segment of the digital economy — from virtual asset exchanges and tokenization projects to fintech and Web3 platforms. My day is a mix of client meetings, discussions, and deep technical work. I also write, study, and collaborate closely with teams to help them think beyond their products and understand how regulation, strategy, and commercialization intersect.

After nearly a decade in this field, I see my role as more than legal counsel. I try to help clients view regulation not as a barrier, but as a tool for building trust and long-term value. What drives me most is showing that crypto and blockchain can be used for good — that there are stronger incentives to do things the right way than to take shortcuts.

The most exciting trend for me right now is the rise of meme coins — not for the speculation, but for what they represent. I think they’re widely misunderstood, even by regulators. Beyond the hype, they’re reframing how we think about the tokenization of the intangible: ideas, lifestyles, communities, and connections that previously couldn’t be captured on a blockchain. It came as a reminder that this industry is still young and full of creative tension, and every innovation forces us to rethink the boundaries of value.

My mornings start early, usually around 5am. I don’t sleep as much as I should, maybe five or six hours, but I’ve made peace with that. I begin with a short prayer, then head to the gym for a quick 30-40 minute workout. When I’m back, I take a few minutes to meditate, have a healthy breakfast, and water my plants — my small ritual of calm and nature before the day begins. That quiet rhythm keeps me grounded and focused before diving into work.

My days are usually very full. I come to the office, have several meetings with clients — most of them online, since many are abroad — and plan with my team how we’ll deliver the services or mandates we’re working on.

When I get home, I usually have more calls for personal projects I’m working on. I’ve been writing a lot these days, so I spend some time on that too. My days can go quite late, but I always try to make time for dinner and to enjoy the evening with my daughter — she’s the fuel of my life.

I’ve learned that success doesn’t come from just one area. There’s financial success, family success, social connection, personal satisfaction — and real, steady success comes from balancing all of them. That’s why I try to stay grounded through workouts, meditation, and prayer. Gratitude is also a big part of my day.

I try to stay very conscious of my thoughts, how I feel, and how I use my energy. Not every day feels the same, and that’s okay. I try to flow with what each day brings, to be gentle with myself when my energy is low, and to cut off distractions that don’t align with my long-term vision. My energy is not unlimited — I have to nurture and protect it.

What’s next for me is connecting the industry across Korea, the UAE, and Latin America. I lived in Korea for 13 years, in the UAE for two, and in the US for one, and I was raised in Latin America. With the level of sophistication I’ve seen in Korea and the regulatory progress in the UAE, I believe I can help bring new models and use cases to Latin America.

When it comes to books, I’d definitely recommend Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispenza — it was truly life-changing for me. From the crypto and investment side, I like CoinBureau and the Fundstrat podcast. For something more personal, I often listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast; the people he brings on are incredible and always bring new perspectives.

Something I care deeply about — both personally and professionally — is financial freedom for women. Growing up, money was often seen as a man’s responsibility: he earned it, managed it, planned the future. What strikes me is how men are often applauded for wanting financial freedom, whereas women are often seen as materialistic when they do. That mindset has to change. Financial literacy and independence aren’t about luxury, but rather empowerment and stability.
One piece of advice that has stayed with me came from a close friend who once told me, “you need to be an animal to pursue your goals.” It really shifted how I thought about ambition, especially as a woman. For a long time, I felt I had to balance being kind, polite, and professional with being driven, almost as if ambition had to be softened somehow. That advice made me realize it’s okay to be fierce, to want success deeply, and to go after it without apology. It’s not about aggression, it’s about allowing yourself to be powerful, to take up space, and to stop feeling guilty for wanting more.

Tags: