Bob Summerwill Joins BlockApps as Head of Ecosystem
BlockApps is excited to announce that Bob Summerwill has joined the team as Head of Ecosystem, bringing with him a wealth of experience in blockchain technology, software development and community building.
Career Highlights
Bob started his blockchain journey in early 2014, first meeting Vitalik Buterin in the summer of that year. In 2015 he started work on Ethereum for smart watches, mobile Linux and single board computers. In 2016 he joined the Ethereum Foundation to work full-time on the C++ Ethereum client software. He joined ConsenSys to contribute to the launch of the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance in 2017 where he was co-lead Architect at launch and then Vice-Chair of the Technical Steering Committee. He worked to build bridges between Ethereum and Hyperledger for many years. Bob is a regular speaker at DEVCON, Ethereum Community Conference (ETHCC), ETH Denver and other major blockchain conferences.
Leading the Ethereum Classic Cooperative
In 2019 he joined the Ethereum Classic Cooperative where he served as Executive Director for the last six years, fostering collaboration and development work in the ETC ecosystem. ETC Cooperative staff are maintainers of both the Core-Geth and Hyperledger Besu Ethereum client software. He also organized and hosted the ETC Summit in 2019 and POW Summit in 2023 and 2024, bringing together the major proof of work communities at events in Vancouver, Prague and Frankfurt.
From AAA Video Games to Blockchain Visionary
Prior to his blockchain career, Bob spent 18 years in the videogames industry, mainly at Electronic Arts in the UK and Canada. He worked as a software engineer, technical lead and ultimately as the EA Sports Label Software Architect (worldwide role, all platforms). He worked on FIFA, NBA, NHL and UFC titles, and multiple central technology and collaboration projects, ultimately being credited on 20 AAA titles. He also worked briefly as a Solutions Architect at TD Securities in Toronto, and had a taste of the reality of software within financial institutions.
Championing the STRATO Mercata Vision
“I am delighted to join BlocksApps and to contribute to the realization of the STRATO Mercata vision. Cryptocurrencies and stablecoins have found great product market fit, but bridging on-chain assets with the real world remains elusive. “Living on crypto” and “Unbank the banked” are not easy problems to solve, but they are essential for blockchain to achieve its ultimate utility. BlockApps are in a great position to deliver key building blocks for that end-goal. – Bob Summerwill
Bob’s broad expertise and vision for the future of blockchain technology will be invaluable as BlockApps continues to drive innovation in the enterprise blockchain space.
Pioneering Decentralized Governance for STRATO
Bob has strategically joined the BlockApps team in time for the expansion and intersection of offerings to the consumer market, particularly in the domains of Real World Assets (RWAs) and Decentralized Finance (DeFi). The company envisions a future where decisions governing the STRATO network are made through votes from distinguished individuals within the ecosystem, promoting a governance model that emphasizes transparency and community involvement. This initiative aims to set new standards for blockchain governance, ensuring that decision-making processes are both inclusive and accountable.
Powering On-Chain Commerce and Real-World Assets
Looking ahead, BlockApps is driving a future where commerce is conducted entirely “on-chain.” This shift toward a permissionless, unstoppable, and privacy-respecting system is facilitated by the STRATO blockchain. STRATO enables the creation of synthetic digital representations of real-world assets—including stackable gold and silver—that are immutable and decentralized, treating digital and physical assets with equal importance.
Users can earn CATA governance tokens for staking these real-world assets, further integrating physical goods into the DeFi ecosystem. STRATO will also function as a platform to vet and support sellers and developers committed to building tangible, real-world value—providing an extra layer of security and trust in the decentralized space.
Furthermore, STRATO will serve as a platform to vet and support sellers and developers within the ecosystem. The blockchain will provide open access to entities focused on building tangible, real-world value, further advancing the adoption and utility of decentralized technologies with an added layer of vetting that is needed in the industry.
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About BlockApps
BlockApps is making digital ownership real through the STRATO blockchain protocol and Mercata Marketplace. Founded by the team behind the Ethereum Haskell client, BlockApps is on a mission to bring real-world assets and decentralized finance to the forefront of global commerce. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, BlockApps is creating the foundation for a trust-minimized, transparent, and freedom-respecting future.
