Blockstream is a leading Bitcoin infrastructure company founded in 2014 by Adam Back, a cryptographer cited in the Bitcoin whitepaper. The company develops a range of products and protocols designed to strengthen the Bitcoin network and expand its capabilities. Blockstream raised a $210 million Series B round in 2022, one of the largest funding rounds in Bitcoin-focused company history.

Blockstream's flagship product is the Liquid Network, a Bitcoin sidechain designed for traders and exchanges that enables faster, confidential transactions and the issuance of digital assets. Liquid is used by exchanges, brokers, and market makers for rapid settlement without waiting for on-chain Bitcoin confirmations. The company also operates Blockstream Satellite, which broadcasts the Bitcoin blockchain globally via satellite, allowing anyone to run a node without an internet connection.

In addition to its software products, Blockstream operates enterprise-scale Bitcoin mining facilities powered by renewable energy. The company offers institutional mining hosting services and has built mining infrastructure in North America. Blockstream also develops Core Lightning (CLN), a major implementation of the Lightning Network protocol for fast, low-cost Bitcoin payments.

Key Products

• Liquid Network — Federated Bitcoin sidechain for fast, confidential transactions and asset issuance
• Blockstream Satellite — Global Bitcoin blockchain broadcast via satellite
• Core Lightning (CLN) — Lightning Network implementation
• Blockstream Mining — Enterprise Bitcoin mining and hosting
• Blockstream Green — Multi-platform Bitcoin and Liquid wallet

Employees

Blockstream employs many of the most prominent and active Bitcoin Core developers.

Andrew Poelstra

Mathematician, Blockstream

Dr. Adam Back

President, Blockstream

Gregory Maxwell

Mark Friedenbach

Co-founder, Blockstream

Pieter Wuille

Bitcoin Core Developer

Rusty Russell

Lightning Network Protocol Developer, Blockstream

Venture Capital Rounds