Draft:Jack Mallers
| Submission declined on 26 January 2025 by Devonian Wombat (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
| Submission declined on 20 January 2025 by Lemonaka (talk). This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources. Reliable sources are required so that information can be verified. If you need help with referencing, please see Referencing for beginners and Citing sources. Declined by Lemonaka 5 days ago. | |
Comment: Citing things from another mediawiki, usually considered untrusted, is definitely a veto to accept. -Lemonaka 15:40, 20 January 2025 (UTC)
Jack Mallers | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 9, 1994 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, software developer |
| Known for | Founder and CEO of Strike |
Jack Mallers (born April 9, 1994) is an American entrepreneur and software developer, best known as the founder and CEO of Strike, a Bitcoin-based financial services platform. 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
[edit]Jack Mallers was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Evanston, a suburb of Chicago. He comes from a large blended family with four brothers and two sisters. His grandfather served as the chairman of the Chicago Board of Trade, and his father founded one of the largest futures brokerages in Chicago. Mallers attended Evanston Township High School.
From a young age, Mallers showed exceptional talent in chess. By kindergarten, he had reached the top of the United States Chess Federation's (USCF) rating lists for his age group. By third grade, he had won a state title in the sport, yet soon after his exclusive interest in chess waned.[1]
Mallers was introduced to Bitcoin by his father in 2013, sparking his interest in cryptocurrency. He briefly attended St. John's University 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.[2]
Career
[edit]In 2017, Mallers founded Zap, a Bitcoin investment and payment company utilizing the Lightning Network, which facilitates faster and cheaper Bitcoin transactions. This venture laid the groundwork for Mallers' vision of decentralized financial systems that could challenge traditional banking infrastructure.
In 2020, Mallers launched Strike, a Bitcoin-based financial services platform that enables global Bitcoin payments. Strike aims to bridge the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional financial systems, offering services such as Bitcoin remittances and payment processing. Under Mallers’ leadership, Strike has expanded to over 65 countries and has become one of the most prominent companies in the Bitcoin ecosystem, particularly in regions with limited access to banking.[3]
Mallers has also been a vocal advocate for Bitcoin’s potential to disrupt traditional financial systems. He has spoken at numerous conferences, including the Bitcoin 2021 Conference in Miami, where he helped announce El Salvador’s decision to adopt Bitcoin. His advocacy for decentralized finance and his leadership in Bitcoin adoption have earned him recognition, including being named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" list in 2021.[4]
As of 2024, Mallers' net worth was estimated to be between $50 million and $100 million, primarily derived from his significant stake in Strike, valued at approximately $300 million. His early investments in Bitcoin, initiated when the cryptocurrency was priced around $200, have also substantially contributed to his wealth.[5]
El Salvador and Bitcoin adoption
[edit]Mallers played a pivotal role in El Salvador’s decision to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021, making it the first country to do so. Working closely with President Nayib Bukele, Mallers helped create the infrastructure for the initiative, including Strike’s involvement in facilitating Bitcoin transactions. This partnership culminated in the Bitcoin Law, which was passed on September 7, 2021.[6]
The introduction of Bitcoin as legal tender was part of a broader experiment to enhance financial inclusion in El Salvador, particularly for people without access to traditional banking. Although the project faced challenges, Mallers continues to advocate for Bitcoin's potential to provide economic freedom and alternative financial solutions.[7]
Recognition and impact
[edit]In 2021, Mallers was featured in Forbes "30 Under 30" list in the finance category, recognizing his contributions to the cryptocurrency industry.[8] 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. Mallers is a regular guest on national TV, including CNBC[9] and Bloomberg.[10]
Recent developments
[edit]In April 2024, Strike expanded its operations to Europe, launching its Bitcoin-based financial app across the continent. This expansion is part of a broader effort by Strike, which now operates in over 100 countries, to provide global access to Bitcoin-based financial services.[11] By entering the European market, Strike aims to offer users a new way to make payments and remittances using Bitcoin, continuing its push to challenge traditional financial systems.
Criticism
[edit]In 2022, Jack Mallers announced ambitious plans to enable U.S. residents to use Strike for purchasing groceries and meals at major retailers like Walmart, McDonald's, Wendy's, Whole Foods, Best Buy, and Home Depot. However, this integration never materialized, raising questions about the feasibility of some of the company’s high-profile commitments. In recent years, Mallers appears to take a more measured approach, focusing on concrete achievements such as opening a new office in El Salvador and rolling out improvements to the Strike app.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "About Jack Mallers". Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ Martin, Will (14 August 2024). "Jack Mallers: Man Behind El Salvador Bitcoin Revolution". Medium. Retrieved 2025-01-21.
- ^ "Strike launches global money app to 3 billion people in over 65 countries" (Press release). Business Wire. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Jack Mallers - Forbes". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Jack Mallers Net Worth 2024: How Rich is Strike's CEO?". www.datawallet.com. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
- ^ "El Salvador's Bitcoin Experiment Is a Disaster, and That's Fine". The New York Times. 2022-07-02. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "El Salvador Is First Country to Make Bitcoin Legal Tender". New York Post. 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Jack Mallers - Forbes". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ The Fed is blowing up our financial system, says Strike founder & CEO Jack Mallers. CNBC. 2023-03-20.
- ^ Strike CEO Mallers on Making Bitcoin More Accessible. Bloomberg. 2024-11-24.
- ^ "Strike Launches Bitcoin App in Europe". Business Wire. 2024-04-24. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "What happened to Jack Mallers and Strike?". Protos. 2025-01-20. Retrieved 2025-01-20.
External links
[edit]