Adam Back
CEO, Co-Founder
Blockstream
As CEO of Blockstream, Dr. Back leads one of the world’s most influential Bitcoin companies, where he plays a central role in developing infrastructure and scaling solutions shaping the future of finance on Bitcoin. Key Blockstream innovations include the Liquid Network, Bitcoin’s first and leading sidechain, designed to enable faster, more confidential transactions, as well as the seamless issuance of digital assets, including stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs).
With a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Exeter, UK, Dr. Back has dedicated nearly three decades to cryptographic protocols, digital privacy, and financial innovation. His career includes roles as a cryptographer and architect at Zero-Knowledge Systems, where he developed privacy-focused internet protocols, and as a consultant to tech giants such as Microsoft, Nokia, and VMware. Dr. Back began work on e-cash protocols in 1995, with his work on Hashcash leading Bitcoin’s pseudonymous inventor, Satoshi Nakamoto, to name him in the original Bitcoin whitepaper, underscoring his significant contribution to Bitcoin’s early development.
Dr. Back remains a highly respected thought leader in the Bitcoin and cryptography communities, frequently speaking at conferences and contributing to publications on topics ranging from digital privacy to the future of decentralized finance. His work continues to shape the trajectory of Bitcoin and blockchain technology, reinforcing his legacy as a foundational figure in the industry and as a pioneer in secure, open, and decentralized financial systems.
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