Adam Back
Dr. Adam Back is a prominent figure in the world of cryptography and blockchain technology. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Blockstream, the global leader in Bitcoin and blockchain technology. He is also the inventor of Hashcash, the proof-of-work algorithm cited by Satoshi Nakamoto in the Bitcoin whitepaper. Dr. Back has dedicated nearly three decades to cryptographic protocols, digital privacy, and financial innovation. He is 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. He has held senior roles with a number of technology companies, including Microsoft, EMC, PI, VMware, and Zero-Knowledge Systems.
Adam Back Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder and CEO
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Security Architect
Academic History
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Ph.D., Computer Science
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.
Under his leadership, the company utilizes advanced cryptography and security engineering to develop products and networks aimed at enhancing the efficiency of financial markets.
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).
BITCOIN & CRYPTOGRAPHY
Dr. Back is a highly respected thought leader in the Bitcoin and cryptography communities.
He is one of the original members of the cypherpunk movement and has been influential in advocating for privacy and digital freedom.
He has advised numerous companies on cryptography and peer-to-peer 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.
EARLY CAREER
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.
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.
Prior to his involvement in the Bitcoin space, he was known as an early pioneer of the digital currency movement.