W. Scott Stornetta

Grandfather, VC Partner, Teacher

W. Scott Stornetta is an influential American physicist and researcher, widely recognized as a pioneer in the field of blockchain technology. He serves as the Chairman of SureMark Digital, a company focused on protecting digital identities against AI-generated deepfakes. Stornetta's contributions to blockchain began with his seminal 1991 paper, "How to Time-Stamp a Digital Document," co-authored with Dr. Stuart Haber. This work laid the groundwork for digital currencies, including Bitcoin, and introduced key concepts such as digital time-stamping and blockchain architecture.1 3 5

Academic and Professional Background

Stornetta holds advanced degrees in physics from prestigious institutions, including a Ph.D. from Stanford University. His early career involved significant research at Bell Communications Research (Bellcore), where he collaborated with Haber to develop the first commercial blockchain technology through their company, Surety Technologies.3 6

Currently, he is also a partner at Yugen Partners, a venture capital firm focused on blockchain and AI, and a fellow at the Creative Destruction Lab at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto.2 3 His extensive experience includes advisory roles in various blockchain initiatives and organizations.

Contributions to Blockchain

Stornetta's work is foundational to the development of cryptocurrencies. He and Haber are noted for being cited multiple times in Satoshi Nakamoto's original Bitcoin white paper, highlighting their influence on the cryptocurrency movement.3 5 Their innovations include integrating Merkle trees into their designs, which improved efficiency by allowing multiple document certificates to be stored within a single block.3 6

Current Focus

At SureMark Digital, Stornetta is dedicated to combating the challenges posed by deepfake technology, particularly its implications for high-profile individuals. The company's services aim to verify identities and authenticate digital content, thereby enhancing trust in online media.1 4

In summary, W. Scott Stornetta is a key figure in the evolution of blockchain technology and continues to impact the field through his leadership at SureMark Digital and various advisory roles in the tech industry.