Johan Torås Halseth

Johan Torås Halseth is a prominent figure in the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency technology space. He currently serves as the Head of Lightning Protocol Development at NYDIG, a leading Bitcoin company.4

Professional Background

Johan has an extensive background in software engineering and blockchain technology:

• He previously worked as the Chief Technology Officer at Firi, a Norwegian cryptocurrency exchange.
• Prior to that, he held positions as a Lightning Protocol Engineer at Lightning Labs and as a Software Engineer at Google.
• His earlier roles included Software Engineer at Soundio and various positions at Nordic Semiconductor ASA.

Education and Expertise

Johan has a strong educational foundation in computer science and algorithms:

• He holds a Master's Degree in Algorithms from the University of Bergen (UiB).
• He also studied Computer Science at both UiB and the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a Visiting Student Researcher.
• Additionally, he has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from UiB and studied Nanotechnology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).

Current Work and Contributions

At NYDIG, Johan focuses on enhancing Bitcoin and Lightning network technologies.25 He is actively involved in Bitcoin research and development, contributing to open-source projects.1 His work often involves:

• Developing and improving Lightning Network protocols
• Exploring innovative applications of Bitcoin technology
• Contributing to discussions and proposals in the Bitcoin development community

Johan is known for his technical expertise and has presented proofs of concept for advanced Bitcoin scripting capabilities, such as compiling RISC-V assembly to Bitcoin Script for use in covenant proposals.1

Online Presence

Johan maintains an active presence in the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency community:

• He can be found on Twitter/X under the handle @johanth, where he shares insights and updates about his work.25
• His LinkedIn profile (username: johanth) provides a comprehensive overview of his professional experience and accomplishments.3

Johan Torås Halseth's combination of academic background, industry experience, and ongoing contributions to Bitcoin technology make him a respected figure in the cryptocurrency space, particularly in the areas of Bitcoin protocol development and Layer-2 solutions like the Lightning Network.