Griff Green is a name synonymous with innovation in the world of cryptocurrency and Web3. He is widely known for his role during The DAO and Parity Multisig hacks. Griff Green managed the crisis response for slock.it and The DAO to secure 10% of all ETH and $210 million in the Parity Multisig Hack. He has also pioneered several projects that are reshaping the future of decentralized finance.
Griff is the founder of Giveth, one of the first community-driven donation platforms leveraging blockchain technology to connect real-world projects with regenerative opportunities. According to their website, Giveth is a community focused on building the future of giving using blockchain technology to support and reward the funding of public goods. Griff has also founded DAppnode and Commons Stack, Token Engineering Commons, General Magic, a web3 product studio, and launched Praise, a reputation tool for DAOs, Pairwise, a voting system for DAOs, and unicorn.eth, a simple and safe web3 wallet.
What inspired Griff to get into cryptocurrency and web3? This article will provide an in-depth look into his career evolution, from early life and education to his rise to prominence and what’s next for Griff Green.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Griff’s early life was far removed from the cutting-edge world of blockchain technology. Griff was fascinated with plane engines and wanted to become a mechanical engineer, which later changed to a chemical engineer.
Griff’s interest in mechanical engineering waned as he realized that much of mechanical engineering was tied to military applications. Instead, he pursued chemical engineering at the University of Washington.
Career Beginnings
First Steps
After graduating, Griff interned at Amgen, where he helped “genetically engineer Chinese hamster ovary cells to produce human proteins.” Griff has also worked as a research assistant at his alma mater and as a Director of Fan Relations at Save Our Sonics.
When he left the University of Washington, Griff got an opportunity as the Director of Fan Relations at Save Our Sonics. He later moved to SNC-Lavalin as a Process Engineer, where he worked for two years before leaving to become an international volunteer.
Griff Green wanted something more flexible and as he thought about his next move he joined World Traveler as an International Volunteer. It was during this period that he discovered Bitcoin and bought some with $3000 worth of gold.
Rise To Prominence
Intrigued by the possibilities of blockchain technology, Griff went a step ahead and began experimenting with smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). He was also spreading the word about Bitcoin. Griff was determined to bring cryptocurrency to the masses, giving impromptu lectures at universities on how to set up wallets.
In 2016, Griff co-founded Giveth, one of the first community-driven donation platforms leveraging blockchain technology. Giveth offers a zero-fee platform, allowing donors to contribute to verified public goods projects and earn rewards. The platform supports diverse projects, including environmental initiatives, social causes, and technological advancements.
Key Projects and Initiatives
In June 2016, The DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization, was hacked, putting at risk 14% of all circulating ETH. Griff mobilized a group of white-hat hackers, known as “The Robin Hood Group,” to counteract the attack. His team replicated the hacker’s exploit, preemptively draining The DAO’s wallets to protect the funds from further theft.
In 2017, Griff and his team once again helped rescue $210 million from the Parity Multisig wallet hack.
Leadership and Vision
Leadership Style
Griff’s success in cryptocurrency and with Giveth has been attributed to his leadership style and ethics. His team describes him as an ambitious and innovative leader who deeply involves in the day-to-day operations of Giveth and all his other projects.
“Griff is always thinking two steps ahead. He doesn’t just react to trends—he creates them.”- One of his colleagues at Giveth.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Griff’s plan is to build an even bigger economic system that rewards individuals for contributing to societal good. His blockchain-based charity initiatives, Giveth and Commons Stack, are designed to make this vision a reality. He wants to create a more transparent, decentralized, and traceable donation system.
Personal Insights
Personal Life
People know Griff for his adventurous spirit and unconventional lifestyle. Despite his highly demanding career, he has managed to strike a balance between work and personal life.
When not in the office, Griff enjoys traveling and attending concerts. His passion for Burning Man and cryptocurrency often merge in colorful ways. Griff is also an avid writer and a contributor for Medium.
Philanthropy and Values
His playful and creative approach to life and work is emblematic of his belief that the world can be changed through creativity, innovation, and community engagement. Griff’s causes are economic empowerment, education, and science and technology.
Challenges and Controversies
Obstacles Overcome
Like many pioneers, Griff Green has faced numerous challenges, from the ethical complexities of hacking for good to building and growing Giveth and Common Stacks in a conventional industry.
Following The DAO hack, Griff and his team received legal threats, particularly regarding the Ethereum Classic (ETC) they had recovered. He admits that it was also difficult to set up Giveth. Despite these challenges, Griff has remained steadfast in his belief that decentralized systems can bring about positive change, even when the path is fraught with risk.
Lessons Learned
His journey serves as a lesson to other pioneers, reminding them the importance of resilience, perseverance and dedication.
“When you’re pioneering something new, there will always be roadblocks,” -Griff Green. “The key is to learn from every setback and build something better.”
Future Plans
Upcoming Projects
As he continues growing his ventures, Griff hopes to build a future where donors treat donations as investments that can yield returns for them.
“The primary source of revenue for any non-profit organization is donations, but relying on individuals giving voluntarily can limit their impact. A system that better aligns incentives can allow non-profits to have a much larger role in society, potentially even stepping in where local governments are failing. The big vision is for donors and volunteers to become akin to investors in an organization, and be rewarded for their participation too.”
Griff Green
