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James Smith
Founder and Board Director at Elliptic
James Smith is a co-founder and board director of Elliptic, a blockchain analytics company that focuses on cryptocurrency compliance and risk management.12 Here's a comprehensive overview of his background and role:
Professional Background
James Smith leads product, engineering, and data at Elliptic, with a focus on creating strategic value for customers through technology innovation.1 He is responsible for developing Elliptic's core data and technology platform, which maintains a comprehensive and accurate cryptoasset dataset.1
Education
Smith has an impressive academic background in computer science:
- DPhil (PhD) in Computer Science from the University of Oxford
- MPhil in Computer Speech and Language
- MA (BA) in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge13
Career Path
Before co-founding Elliptic, James worked as an options market maker in London's financial district.1 His journey into the crypto world began in 2013 when he became fascinated with Bitcoin and its potential impact on the financial system.2
Founding Elliptic
Smith co-founded Elliptic in 2013 with Tom Robinson.2 They started the company with the conviction that cryptocurrency would play a significant role in the future of finance. Initially, they explored various ideas, including creating an exchange and launching a custody product, before identifying the need for compliance solutions in the crypto space.2
Role at Elliptic
As a founder and board director, James:
- Shapes product strategy, product marketing, and overall company direction
- Focuses on solving enterprise customers' needs for blockchain analytics solutions
- Drives the development of Elliptic's core technology platform
- Contributes to educating regulators, businesses, and banks on safe crypto participation12
Industry Impact
Under Smith's leadership, Elliptic has:
- Set standards for crypto compliance
- Worked with leading exchanges to improve industry practices
- Collaborated with law enforcement on significant cases
- Played a crucial role in building infrastructure for the crypto financial system2
James Smith's expertise in computer science, combined with his vision for the crypto industry, has been instrumental in Elliptic's growth and impact on the blockchain analytics sector over the past decade.
