This is the first of a new series from MyCrypto where we shine the spotlight on one of our team members to introduce them to our community and learn a bit more about them.
Hey Michael! Thanks for taking time out of your day to answer a few questions.
What is your role at MyCrypto?
My role is to provide support and education for users. On a typical day I would provide support to users on Reddit, and Twitter, as well as through email (support@mycrypto.com) on anything ranging from security issues to potential bugs or problems with sending tokens or ETH, update our knowledge base, keep my eye out for recent security trends and interact with other people on our team to provide feedback for ongoing development tasks. I also interact with our partners to increase the fluidity of their product’s integration on our website. Since I am interested in security, I also try to contribute to the security tools that we help sponsor and update (EtherAddressLookup, EtherSecurityLookup and EtherScamDB).
What initially got you into cryptocurrency?
Initially, I got into cryptocurrency because I was looking into becoming a security professional (I study Information Tech. in school) and I stumbled into an ongoing privacy debate about the the importance of individual privacy and how it has consistently been violated by governments and large tech organizations without many people even realizing. I read about a project that had the idea to create a peer-to-peer cash that would allow for some level of anonymization.
I think people often misunderstand what innovation Bitcoin provided. The true innovation that Bitcoin provides is in the form of a method for consensus. The software that everyone runs has to be agreed upon by the people running it. Otherwise, the software splits with many people using different sets of software (different blockchains). This means that for the first time ever, every user has the ability to complete monetary-based transactions and interactions with others, while also only giving up the amount of data about themselves that they’re comfortable with. If someone is uncomfortable with the level of privacy in Bitcoin, than they can use Monero which boasts a higher level of user privacy. This interest eventually lead me to Ethereum, which I think has the widest set of potential use-cases, especially where it relates to humanitarian use cases.
What did you do before you joined MyCrypto?
Before I joined MyCrypto I was a student studying IT. I’ve worked in support helpdesk-type roles as well as in a systems administrator role.
What do you love about what you do?
I love that I have the opportunity to spend my time learning and teaching others about at least one of my interests. I also love that I am able to work on projects that interest me, with people who have some similar interests.
What’s challenging about your job?
MyCrypto is a startup, and in startups, you need to be flexible. Some days I’ll work on providing support for users all day, some days I am trying to code, sometimes I am working with our team on approaches to security issues that pop up. The most challenging part about my job is trying to balance spending time on exploring my interests in my job, and spending time with my family and friends outside of work.
What’s something you’d like to learn more about?
I’m trying to get into a more software development-type role that balances security and usability. I want to build things that people will use, and I want to learn more about the cryptography and the security behind securing tools for people to use.
I want to build things that people will use, and I want to learn more about the cryptography and the security behind securing tools for people to use.
What’s one of your favorite teams/projects/cryptocurrencies in the space? Why?
My favorite project would have to be Giveth (https://giveth.io) as it is trying to open-source the giving process. Giveth has also contributed much to the Ethereum ecosystem’s smart contract usage, security, and scalability. I also really like anyone who is working to provide security for people in the ecosystem, especially when it comes to people/teams that aren’t trying to make a large for-profit venture out of it.
What’s the number one thing that you would like the cryptocurrency community to hear?
Losing your funds due to speculation is not nearly as bad as losing them due to a relatively preventable hack or phish. Be careful with your funds, or you will lose them. We track dozens of hacking/phishing campaigns every single day that are being created to exploit your inattentiveness due to security.
More About Michael
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I spend my free-time researching things that interest me: futurism, security, personal finance, technology, sociology, space, and economics. I’ve been known to spend hours watching documentaries about engineering and space, as well as biology, alternative energy, cryptography, privacy, personal finance and economics, and social movements.
Where is your favorite place you’ve lived? Where do you live now?
I’ve only ever lived in Florida, in the US, but I want to move to the Pacific NW. Maybe Oregon or Washington states.
What makes you want to live in the Pacific Northwest?
The climate is significantly better than where I’m at in Florida (dry vs wet), a different culture (older vs younger), being closer to more tech-focused cities, and forests.
What’s your highest level of non-computer-based achievement?
I’ve found a good network of friends. I’m not really sure that qualifies as an achievement. If you emulate the type of person that you want to be friends with, those types of people will naturally find their way into your life
What’s an interesting random thing about you?
I enjoy cooking, much to my girlfriend’s delight. I’m also terrified of clowns and spiders.
What’s one of your favorite dishes to cook?
I enjoy making a pork roast in the oven, but I’m also a fan of steak and asparagus over fire or charcoal.
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself with us today, it’s great to get to know you a bit more. If someone wanted to get in touch with you or follow you, where should they go?
Message me on reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/blurpesec/
Or follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/blurpesec
Thanks Michael! Before we end it, share a picture of yourself doing something fun, your pet, etc.
This is my pupper, Abby. She’s an old pup, but I enjoy hanging out with her!
