AK
About
I'm a software engineer working at Circle. In my free time you can find me swimming in the San Francisco Bay, birding, or playing chess.
Work Experience
Circle
Senior Software Engineer
Feb 2024 - Present
Software engineer on the special projects team.
Phantom
Senior Backend Engineer
Feb 2022 - May 2023
Built the first backend services for Phantom to improve app performance and unlock new features.
a16z
Protocol Specialist
Aug 2021 - Nov 2021
Engaged with governance for crypto protocols in a16z's portfolio, including Uniswap and Compound.
0x
Software Engineer, Data Scientist
May 2019 - Aug 2021
Built tools for professional market makers to provide liquidity to 0x API users.
Coinbase
Data Scientist
Feb 2018 - Apr 2019
Supported Coinbase Pro (the exchange product) by informing product decisions with data.
Analysis Group
Analyst
Feb 2017 - Feb 2018
Economic consulting.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Research Analyst
Jun 2015 - Jan 2017
Research group.
Volunteering
Dolphin Club
Swim Commissioner
Dec 2024 - Present
Organize open water swimming events for club members in the San Francisco Bay.
Education
University of Notre Dame
2011 - 2015
Bachelor's Degree in Finance and Economics
Skills
JavaScript
TypeScript
Node.js
Python
SQL
Solidity
Terraform
Projects
Side Project
Node.js
Updating the Ethereum Yellow Paper
github.comethereum/yellowpaper
Updated the Ethereum Yellow Paper for the London, Arrow Glacier, Gray Glacier, and Paris upgrades.
Side Project
EVM
Technical Writing
Publications
Refund Protocol: Non-Custodial Dispute Resolution for Stablecoin Payments
circle.comblog/refund-protocol-non-custodial-dispute-resolution-for-stablecoin-payments
Circle Research
April 17, 2025
Temporary ERC-20 approvals: A cheaper & safer way to do DeFi
circle.comblog/temporary-erc-20-approvals-a-cheaper-and-safer-way-to-do-defi
Circle Research
October 17, 2024
TXT2TXN: Using AI (LLMs) for Intent-Based Applications
circle.comblog/txt2txn-using-ai-llms-for-internet-based-applications
Circle Research
August 8, 2024
A New Era of Content Publishing and Licensing on the Blockchain
bitcoinmagazine.combusiness/new-era-content-publishing-and-licensing-blockchain
Bitcoin Magazine
August 4, 2017
Counterpary has Reached its Millionth Transaction
bitcoinmagazine.combusiness/counterparty-has-reached-its-millionth-transaction
Bitcoin Magazine
July 17, 2017
The Moonbeam Scaling Network: A 'semi-decentralized' scaling solution
bitcoinmagazine.comtechnical/moonbeam-scaling-network-semi-decentralized-scaling-solution
Bitcoin Magazine
June 16, 2017
The Pre-Crisis Monetary Policy Implementation Framework
newyorkfed.orgresearch/staff_reports/sr809
Federal Reserve Bank of New York Staff Report
March 2017
Monetary Policy Transmission before and after the Crisis
libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org2016/06/monetary-policy-transmission-before-and-after-the-crisis/
Liberty Street Economics Blog
June 29, 2016
Is Bitcoin Really Frictionless?
libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org2016/03/is-bitcoin-really-frictionless/
Liberty Street Economics Blog
March 23, 2016
The payment system benefits of high reserve balances
ingentaconnect.comcontent/hsp/jpss/2016/00000010/00000001/art00008
Journal of Payments Strategy and Systems
Spring 2016
Swimming
Dolphin Club Alcatraz Swim
October 26, 2024
35:51
Dolphin Club Golden Gate Bridge Swim
September 21, 2024
25:39
Pier 15 to Dolphin Club
June 29, 2024
37:44 (self-timed)
Sharkfest Alcatraz Swim
August 26, 2023
42:24
Central Oregon Masters Eel Lake 1500m
August 12, 2023
26:05.8