Mustafa Al-Bassam
Mustafa Al-Bassam is the Co-Founder and CEO of Celestia, a blockchain-focused, modular data availability network offering solutions for blockchain creation. Al-Bassam is a security researcher and hacker who co-founded LulzSec, a high-profile hacking group which made headlines in 2011 for its hacks on Sony, Fox and the FBI. He later went on to co-found Chainspace, a smart contract platform acquired by Facebook in 2019. In addition to Celestia, he has published research on scaling blockchains and cryptocurrencies.
Mustafa Al-Bassam Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Co-Founder and CEO
Academic History
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Ph.D., Computer Science
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B.S., Computer Science
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Al-Bassam is a renowned cybersecurity expert, researcher and advisor.
He has published research on scaling blockchains and cryptocurrencies.
He is known for his significant contributions to blockchain technology and his controversial past as a hacker.
He has also advised companies in the areas of information security and distributed ledger technology.
LULZSEC
In 2011, when he was just 16 years old, Al-Bassam was one of the six core members of LulzSec during its 50-day hacking spree.
He used the nickname "Tflow" and hacked a number of high-profile organizations and corporations, including Sony, Fox, Nintendo, and the CIA.
He was also affiliated with the online association of hacktivists known as Anonymous, where he was involved with the hacking of emails from HBGary Federal, an intelligence contractor for the U.S. government.
He pleaded guilty to computer misuse and received a 20-month suspended sentence with 320 hours of unpaid community service work.
RECOGNITIONS
2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 - Technology
MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS
He has been featured or quoted in Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, Financial Times, and Real Vision.