Meet the Founders

The people who started LayerTwo Labs and shaped the Drivechain project.

Paul Sztorc

Co-founder and CEO

Paul Sztorc (@truthcoin) is the inventor of Drivechain, a pivotal innovation for Bitcoin. Recognized as the author of BIP300 and BIP301, he charted a path for the integration of sidechains into Bitcoin. He also championed Bitcoin Hivemind, formerly Truthcoin, a decentralized oracle system enabling prediction markets on Bitcoin. Committed to advancing the Bitcoin landscape, Paul established LayerTwo Labs, focusing on the progression of sophisticated Bitcoin sidechains.

Austin Alexander

Co-founder

Austin Alexander (@btcismoney) is a trailblazer in the cryptocurrency landscape. He founded the Bitcoin Center NYC, a pivotal institution in driving Bitcoin adoption and awareness. Later, Austin took on a leadership role as the head of sales and accounts at the renowned Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange. His contributions to the crypto community did not stop there. In collaboration with Paul Sztorc, he co-founded LayerTwo Labs with the mission to integrate Drivechain into Bitcoin, catalyzing the cryptocurrency to reach unprecedented heights.

Nikita Chashchinskii

Co-founder

Nikita Chashchinskii (@nchashch) is a standout software engineer and cryptocurrency expert, known for his pivotal role in the Drivechain project. He boasts expertise in C++ and Rust and a true passion for building on Bitcoin. Chashchinskii's significant contribution in his bachelor's program involved converting Zcash into a Bitcoin sidechain, enhancing Bitcoin's privacy features. At LayerTwo Labs, he continues to drive innovation, working on Ethereum sidechains and streamlining altcoin conversions into sidechains.

CryptAxe

Co-founder

CryptAxe (@CryptAxe) is a pseudonymous Bitcoin Core developer who co-founded LayerTwo Labs with longtime collaborator Paul Sztorc. He is recognized for his work on BIPs 300 and 301, better known as Drivechain. His efforts, especially at LayerTwo Labs, have been pivotal in advancing blockchain technologies, underscoring his commitment to evolving the Bitcoin landscape.