Garrick Hileman, the University of Cambridge’s first ‘cryptocurrency academic,’ has joined Blockchain as head of research.
Cryptocurrency data resource and wallet provider Blockchain.com announced it had hired a Cambridge academic as its new head of research May 16.
In a blog post, Blockchain.com revealed that Garrick Hileman, author of multiple cryptocurrency research publications, would “lead a new research arm aimed elevating block chain (sic) technology to its full potential.”
The move marks the second high-profile hire for the company in weeks, April seeing ex-Goldman Sachs executive Breanne Madigan join as head of institutional sales and strategy.
While the career pivot seems a natural progression for Hileman, who also developed Cambridge University’s first cryptocurrency course, he stands out among academics and economists alike in his bullish views on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.
Speaking to Business Insider following the appointment, Hileman said he was surprised that figures such as Nouriel Roubini and Paul Krugman “have a hard time seeing the technology.”
“Some of them don’t have the best track record for understanding technology, to be frank,” he told the publication.
“Paul Krugman famously thought the internet wasn’t all that more significant than a fax machine. I’m not sure I would have a lot of success helping them understand the significance of this technology as a new platform, as something that in some ways can be compared to the internet.”
