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Sergey Nazarov
Sergey Nazarov profile with insights on Chainlink, SmartContract, blockchain career, and Web3 infrastructure.
India
About
Sergey Nazarov is an American entrepreneur and technologist best known as the co-founder of Chainlink and a co-founder of SmartContract.com, the company that laid the foundation for Chainlink. Nazarov’s career experience includes blockchain infrastructure, smart contracts, decentralized applications, venture capital, and technology entrepreneurship. He is the founder of, or has worked with, companies such as Secure Asset Exchange, CryptaMail, and ExistLocal, and has also had experience working with FirstMark Capital and QED Capital. Nazarov works with Chainlink Labs in developing blockchain infrastructure that allows smart contracts to interact with external data, systems, and payment networks. Chainlink describes itself as a decentralized infrastructure layer for on-chain applications and finance. Quick Facts about Sergey Nazarov: Field Details Full Name Sergey Nazarov Known For Co-founder of Chainlink Current Role Co-Founder, Chainlink Company Chainlink Labs Previous Company SmartContract Education New York University Degree B.A. in Philosophy and Management Career Overview of Sergey Nazarov: Nazarov began his career in the technology startup world by founding ExistLocal in 2009 before going to work for FirstMark Capital. Nazarov eventually went on to become the General Partner at QED Capital, where his work involved the study of cryptocurrency, mining, and blockchain technology. In 2014, he co-founded CryptaMail and Secure Asset Exchange, before later going on to co-found SmartContract.com with Steve Ellis. SmartContract.com was focused on integrating the use of smart contracts and external data, creating the basis for Chainlink. Nazarov is now focused on Chainlink and Chainlink Labs. Career Timeline: Year Career Development 2009–2011 Co-Founder & CEO, ExistLocal Inc.: Co-founded a peer-to-peer marketplace focused on local experiences and worked on its online marketplace model. 2009–2010 Intern-in-Residence to Associate, FirstMark Capital: Worked with the investment team, presented prospective investments, participated in board meetings, and supported technology investment activities. 2010 Teaching Fellow, NYU Stern School of Business: Supported a technology entrepreneurship course, including curriculum development, presentations on networking, and work with early-stage technology companies. 2011–2014 General Partner, QED Capital: Worked with technical startup teams and became involved in cryptocurrency research and mining. QED Capital also explored blockchain applications beyond cryptocurrency. 2014 Co-Founder & CEO, CryptaMail: Co-founded a decentralized email project based on blockchain technology and the NXT blockchain. 2014–2016 Co-Founder & CEO, Secure Asset Exchange: Co-founded a decentralized exchange platform focused on smart contracts and revenue-sharing applications. Sep. 2014–Present Co-Founder, SmartContract: Co-founded SmartContract with Steve Ellis to connect smart contracts with external data, APIs, and payment networks. The company became the foundation for Chainlink. 2017 Chainlink: Chainlink launched following the development of decentralized oracle network technology and the publication of its whitepaper. Nazarov is identified as a co-founder of Chainlink. 2020–Present Co-Founder, Chainlink Labs: Continues working on Chainlink infrastructure and its applications across blockchain networks, decentralized finance, and institutional finance. 2024–Present Chainlink Platform Development: Participated in the development and announcement of Chainlink Runtime Environment and broader efforts to support institutional-grade onchain workflows. 2025–Present Chainlink Institutional Adoption: Continued representing Chainlink in discussions and initiatives involving tokenization, cross-chain infrastructure, financial institutions, and onchain finance.
Experience
Other, Chief Executive Officer
CryptaMail
May 2014 to Jul 2014
Co-Founder & CEO
Chief Executive Officer, Other
Secure Asset Exchange
May 2014 to Jan 2016
Co-Founder & CEO
Other
SmartContract
Jan 2014 to Present
Co-Founder
Other
QED Capital
Feb 2011 to Apr 2014
General Partner
Other
NYU Stern School of Business
Jan 2010 to May 2010
Teaching Fellow
Other
FirstMark Capital
Apr 2009 to Nov 2010
Intern-in-Residence → Associate
Awards
- Forbes2023 - Top 50 Most Influential in Crypto
- Blockchain World Conference2022 - Smart Contract Pioneer Award
- DeFi Summit2021 - DeFi Leadership Award
- CoinDesk2020 - Top 10 Most Influential in Blockchain
- Crypto Awards2019 - Blockchain Innovator of the Year
FAQs
- Sergey Nazarov is an entrepreneur and engineer who gained recognition because of the creation of Chainlink, whose main field of work is blockchain, infrastructure, and smart contracts.