Jack Mallers

Jack Mallers (born April 9, 1994) is an American entrepreneur and software developer, best known as the founder and CEO of Strike, a digital payment platform leveraging Bitcoin's Lightning Network. He has played a significant role in promoting Bitcoin adoption, notably contributing to El Salvador's decision to recognize Bitcoin as legal tender.
Early life and education
Mallers was born in Chicago, Illinois, into a family with deep roots in the financial industry. His grandfather served as the chairman of the Chicago Board of Trade, and his father founded one of the largest futures brokerages in Chicago. Introduced to Bitcoin by his father in 2013, Mallers developed an early interest in cryptocurrency. He attended in New York, but left after less than a year to pursue his passion for technology at the Starter School, a coding boot camp in Chicago.
Career
In 2017, Mallers founded Zap, a Bitcoin investment and payments company powered by the Lightning Network. Zap developed Strike, an application that allows users to make and receive payments over Bitcoin’s Lightning Network without fees.
El Salvador and Bitcoin adoption
Mallers played a significant role in El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender. Through his work with Strike, he helped facilitate low-cost remittances, a crucial service for the country where remittances make up a significant portion of the GDP. Mallers collaborated with President Nayib Bukele, discussing how Bitcoin could enhance financial inclusion and open systems in El Salvador.
This collaboration culminated in the introduction of the Bitcoin Law, which made Bitcoin legal tender in El Salvador starting September 7, 2021. Mallers announced this initiative during the Bitcoin 2021 conference in Miami, marking a historic moment in global cryptocurrency adoption.
Recognition and impact
In 2021, Mallers was featured in Forbes "30 Under 30" list in the finance category, recognizing his contributions to the cryptocurrency industry. His work with Strike and advocacy for Bitcoin have positioned him as a leading figure in the movement toward decentralized finance and digital currency adoption.
Recent developments
In May 2023, Strike announced the global launch of its app in over 65 countries, expanding access to its payments and Bitcoin services to nearly 3 billion people worldwide. This expansion reflects Mallers' commitment to making Bitcoin accessible and usable on a global scale.

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