The Blockchain Security Standards Council (BSSC) is proud to announce the appointment of its inaugural board of directors, comprised of key leaders from its founding member organizations. This marks a significant step in BSSC's mission to establish globally recognized standards for blockchain security, ensuring a safer and more resilient blockchain ecosystem. 

Board officers: 

• President: Frieder Weichelt, CISO, Anchorage Digital 
• Vice President: Annalea Ilg, CISO, Figment 
• Secretary: Adrienne Allen, Head of Security GRC and Privacy, Coinbase 

Directors: 

• Riyaz Faizullabhoy, Co-Founder, Bastion 
• Shahar Madar, VP of Security & Trust Products, Fireblocks 
• Ruth Sandescu, Senior Director of Security Strategy and Governance, Kraken 
• Sigal Mandelker, Ribbit Capital 

Greg Kohn, an experienced standards leader, will continue as Executive Director of BSSC. 

The BSSC was founded in 2024 by industry leaders Anchorage Digital, Bastion, Coinbase, Figment, Halborn, Fireblocks, Kraken, OpenZeppelin, Ribbit Capital, and Sentinel Global. All of the member companies of the Council are working collaboratively to develop the first blockchain industry standards.  

The initial Board of Directors of BSSC is composed of senior leaders from the most authoritative companies working with blockchain technology. This positions the BSSC board to deeply understand the challenges and needs of the industry, and create standards that help the ecosystem thrive. 

Discussing the appointments, Frieder Weichelt, President, BSSC, said: “The formation of our inaugural board is a pivotal moment in the BSSC’s journey. With a team of security leaders with diverse backgrounds leading the way, we are well-positioned to expand our reach and influence rapidly.”  

Weichelt continued: “By leveraging the experience and reach of our new Board members, we are confident our security standards will become the benchmark for the entire blockchain industry, ensuring a safer and more resilient future for all stakeholders.” 

Annalea Ilg, Vice President, added: “The BSSC’s work is critical for the long-term success of the blockchain industry. By developing and enforcing rigorous security standards, we’re not only protecting individual companies but also setting the standard for security across the entire ecosystem. As leaders of BSSC, we are committed to driving  broad adoption and innovation, benefiting everyone involved in the blockchain space.” 

The BSSC will publish its initial security standards and plans for its accompanying audit program by year-end 2024. The BSSC aims to serve as the overarching standards framework for the blockchain industry, leveraging partnerships and liaisons to ensure a unified approach to blockchain security. The group also plans to announce an expanded membership participation structure in the short term.