{"id":"eli-ben-sasson","hidden":false,"ipfs":"QmeuA5mRAiJBtQj1ggkEiUkoCjadUBGgpjUhWb9DApqnze","language":"en","transactionHash":"0x9d7d0c8ad7a12ac083e47a9489e867820613c95189876a8f70a82770e4ade369","created":"2024-04-18T14:32:50.371Z","updated":"2026-04-13T13:25:09.000Z","title":"Eli Ben-Sasson","summary":"Eli Ben-Sasson is a co-founder and Chairman at StarkWare, a former professor at Technion, and a Ph.D. holder in Computer Science from Hebrew University.","content":"**Eli Ben-Sasson** is the Co-founder, President, Chairman, and CEO of StarkWare Industries Ltd., the developer of the permissionless Validity-Rollup ([ZK-Rollup](https://iq.wiki/wiki/zk-rollup)) [Layer 2](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-2) network operating on [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum), [Starknet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/starknet).[[1]](#cite-id-4kcvkynx443)​[[2]](#cite-id-r4hqxhd6ok)​[[3]](#cite-id-osx1nzbhwkg)​\n\n [YOUTUBE@VID](mqFgw71MkhQ)\n\n## Education\n\nEli Ben-Sasson attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2001 for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), in Computer Science.[[2]](#cite-id-r4hqxhd6ok)​\n\n## Career\n\nEli Ben-Sasson started his career in 2001 as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2005 he was a Visiting Assistant Professor at TTI Chicago. He served as a Professor at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology from 2010 to 2018.[\\[4\\]](#cite-id-azajxsnr7w)​\n\nEli Ben-Sasson is a Founding Scientist at Electric Coin Company (aka [Zcash](https://iq.wiki/wiki/zcash) Co.)[\\[5\\]](#cite-id-n1ds5k8haql) which was founded in October 2016. Electric Coin Co. builds and supports technology to provide people with access to a fair and open currency globally. They are the inventors of [Zcash](https://iq.wiki/wiki/zcash).[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-r4hqxhd6ok)​\n\n### StarkWare\n\nIn March 2018, Eli Ben-Sasson co-founded StarkWare[\\[7\\]](#cite-id-i730x7cauki) alongside [Uri Kolodny](https://iq.wiki/wiki/uri-kolodny), [Michael Riabzev](https://iq.wiki/wiki/michael-riabzev), and [Alessandro Chiesa](https://iq.wiki/wiki/alessandro-chiesa). He served as Chief Scientist (East) until January 2020 when he moved to the role of President & Chairman of the Board.[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-r4hqxhd6ok)​[\\[6\\]](#cite-id-gn97hdzgri)​\n\nIn January 2024, he was appointed the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) following the resignation of [Uri Kolodny](https://iq.wiki/wiki/uri-kolodny) from the role.[\\[8\\]](#cite-id-pd3jo96t6u)​\n\nStarkWare Industries Ltd. is a [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technology company based in Israel, focusing on developing ZK-Rollup technology and building products to solve the challenges of the [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) network. Besides the technology infrastructure, Its main two products are StarkEx and [StarkNet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/starknet).[\\[6\\]](#cite-id-gn97hdzgri)​\n\nIn May 2022, StarkWare’s estimated value was 2 billion six months earlier, echoing the implementation of its ecosystems which range from digital asset trading solutions to [NFT](https://iq.wiki/wiki/non-fungible-token-nft) minting and deployment.[\\[10\\]](#cite-id-ukctowliii)​\n\n#### StarkEx\n\nStarkEx is the Validium L2 scaling engine on [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) [mainnet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/mainnet) that is modified (tailored) to fit specific permissioned [Dapps](https://iq.wiki/wiki/decentralized-application), used for projects to deploy their ideas (mostly for trading use cases) [dYdX](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dydx), ImmutableX, [DeversiFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/deversifi), and many other partners. This Specific L2 is where most protocols are built on, generating real trading volume and conducting transactions.[\\[9\\]](#cite-id-7xi8vqp87qx)​\n\n#### Starknet\n\n​[Starknet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/starknet) is built based on STARK as the decentralized L2 Zk-rollup. The layer is responsible for executing transactions while scaling without the security sacrifice of [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum). STARK developers can write [smart contracts](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) and run them permissionlessly on [Starknet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/starknet). Starknet aims to achieve secure low-cost transactions and high performance by using the STARK cryptographic proof system. Starknet contracts and the Starknet OS are written in Cairo, a custom-built and specialized programming language.[\\[3\\]](#cite-id-osx1nzbhwkg)​\n\n##### STRK Token\n\nThe [Starknet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/starknet) token ($STRK) is used for paying fees to enable the operation of the [Starknet network](https://iq.wiki/wiki/starknet), maintaining and securing the network by enabling [staking](https://iq.wiki/wiki/staking) for consensus and deciding on Starknet’s values and technology goals by voting for governance proposals. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-osx1nzbhwkg)​\n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=MyNzEUqHEQg)\n\n### **Strategic Restructuring and Layoffs (2026)**\n\nOn April 13, 2026, StarkWare announced a strategic shift aimed at transitioning from a technology-focused infrastructure provider to a product-driven company focused on generating revenue and increasing real-world usage.[\\[12\\]](#cite-id-K1aaqxb76i9181Hg)  \n\nCEO Eli Ben-Sasson stated that while StarkWare had established itself as a leader in zero-knowledge (ZK) and STARK-based technologies, infrastructure development alone was insufficient to secure long-term leadership in the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) industry.\n\nThe new strategy emphasizes focusing on a smaller number of high-impact products that [leverage](https://iq.wiki/wiki/leverage) StarkWare’s proprietary technology stack, alongside adopting a more agile, startup-like operating model with smaller teams, faster iteration cycles, and increased experimentation to achieve product-market fit.\n\nAs part of this restructuring, the company introduced a new organizational structure consisting of two primary business units, each with dedicated business development, engineering, product, and go-to-market functions. The transition also included workforce reductions, with the company citing the need to become more efficient and adaptable in pursuit of its revised goals.\n\nThe shift reflects StarkWare’s broader ambition to convert its technological leadership into sustainable growth, revenue generation, and increased adoption within the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) ecosystem.[\\[12\\]](#cite-id-K1aaqxb76i9181Hg) \n\n##### Post-quantum Roadmap and Potential Layer 1 Transition\n\nOn June 30, 2026, StarkWare published a three-phase post-quantum roadmap for [Starknet](https://iq.wiki/wiki/starknet). The proposed first phase would replace Pedersen hashing with BLAKE2 across state commitments, contract addresses, and network configuration, and introduce post-quantum consensus signatures such as Falcon-512. The second phase would provide migration tooling for existing contracts. The final phase would address components dependent on [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum), including bridge syscalls and blob data availability, whose post-quantum readiness depends on Ethereum’s own transition.[\\[13\\]](#cite-id-lz8wrk47s7)​\n\nOn October 8, 2026, Ben-Sasson and Starknet publicly raised the possibility of Starknet becoming an independent [Layer 1](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-1). The discussion linked that possibility to concerns about quantum computing and AI, and to a desire for greater control over cryptographic upgrades. Starknet described 2027 as its target for becoming quantum-resistant; that target concerned quantum resistance, not a confirmed Layer 1 transition. The Layer 1 idea remained under consideration, and protocol-level changes require governance approval.[\\[14\\]](#cite-id-nz5q9t2cia)​\n\nOn October 12, 2026, Ben-Sasson distinguished the Layer 1 discussion from claims that Starknet’s technical design is misaligned with Ethereum, saying he disagreed with that characterization of the existing design.[\\[15\\]](#cite-id-3ms8t3lqmv)​","recentActivity":"{\"items\":[{\"id\":\"d189e595-e315-4fc2-9e7a-ac058a7c08f1\",\"title\":\"Eli Ben-Sasson\",\"description\":\"Eli Ben-Sasson is a co-founder and Chairman at StarkWare, a former professor at Technion, and a Ph.D. holder in Computer Science from Hebrew University.\",\"timestamp\":\"2026-04-13T13:24:41.665Z\",\"category\":\"People in crypto\",\"status\":{\"icon\":\"RiGlobalLine\",\"label\":\"Wiki Updated\",\"iconClassName\":\"text-green-500\"},\"user\":{\"name\":\"0x212Cb3F4aE6611054637f9f78F18fB628AD258bb\",\"address\":\"0x212Cb3F4aE6611054637f9f78F18fB628AD258bb\"},\"button\":{\"label\":\"View Summary\",\"icon\":\"RiFileTextLine\"},\"summarySections\":[{\"title\":\"StarkWare\",\"subtitle\":\"Updated information regarding StarkWare's valuation.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":1,\"changes\":[\"Modified the company's valuation text from '$8 billion, an increase from $2 billion' to '2 billion'. 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