Alex Mashinsky

Alex Mashinsky, born in 1965 in the Soviet Union to a Jewish family, moved to Israel in the 1970s. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, he served in the Israeli Army’s Golani Brigade and trained as a pilot before moving to the United States in 1988. Despite attending various universities for electrical engineering, Mashinsky did not complete his degree.

Diverse Career in Technology and Telecommunications

Mashinsky’s career has spanned several industries, often focusing on emerging technologies. He was an early developer of VOIP and founded VoiceSmart in the early 1990s. He established Arbinet in 1996, a VoIP telephone service marketplace. In 2005, after selling his stake in Arbinet, he founded GroundLink, a limousine and car service booking platform. Mashinsky also played a significant role in forming Transit Wireless, which brought wireless and Wi-Fi services to the New York City Subway.

Leadership Roles and Innovations

As a leader in the tech industry, Mashinsky served on the board of Novatel and later as CEO, focusing on Wi-Fi hotspot products. He also held a brief stint as Global CEO of RTX, a London-based fintech firm.

Celsius Network Controversy

Mashinsky founded Celsius Network in 2017, a platform for cryptocurrency borrowing and lending. Despite its initial success, Celsius faced legal troubles under his leadership. In January 2023, the Attorney General of New York filed a lawsuit against Mashinsky for securities fraud, followed by his arrest in July 2023 on charges of securities, commodities, and wire fraud. Celsius Network agreed to a $4.7 billion settlement with the FTC.

Recognition and Criticism

Mashinsky has received accolades like the Albert Einstein Technology Medal and the Technology Foresight Award for Innovation. However, his career has been marred by controversies, including accusations of fraud and market manipulation.

Personal Life

Mashinsky resides in New York City with his wife, Krissy Mashinsky, and their six children. Krissy runs the online retailer usastrong.IO, which faced controversy for selling “Unbankrupt Yourself” shirts following Celsius’s bankruptcy.

Overall, Alex Mashinsky’s career has been a blend of significant technological contributions and notable legal challenges, positioning him as a complex figure in the tech and crypto industries.

• USA STRONG Chairman