Sam Kessler

Sam is CoinDesk's deputy managing editor for tech and protocols. His reporting is focused on decentralized technology, infrastructure and governance. Sam holds a computer science degree from Harvard University, where he led the Harvard Political Review. He has a background in the technology industry and owns some ETH and BTC. Sam was part of the team that won a 2023 Gerald Loeb Award for CoinDesk's coverage of Sam Bankman-Fried and the FTX collapse.

Sam Kessler

Latest from Sam Kessler


Tech

The PYTH Airdrop Is Finally Here. But What Is Pyth Network?

Pyth Network's speed-focused oracle service aims to challenge Chainlink as the go-to data source for blockchain finance.

"Oracle" projects like Pyth and Chainlink help to feed real-world data – such as asset prices – onto blockchain-based protocols and applications. (Unsplash)

Tech

'Intents' Are Blockchain's Big New Buzzword. What are They, And What Are the Risks?

Intent-centric programs are quietly transforming how we use blockchains, but they bring risks as well as benefits.

(Unsplash/Mike Tsitas)

Tech

Ethereum Platform Infura's Step Toward Decentralization Includes Microsoft, Tencent

Infura, from the Ethereum developer Consensys, is so dominant it's been cast as a single point of failure. Now it's creating a "decentralized infrastructure network" to help protect against outages – with a "federated" group of partners.

Joseph Lubin, a co-founder of Ethereum and the CEO of ConsenSys, speaks at SXSW 2019.

Tech

Arbitrum Voters Polarized Over 'Research' Pitch With $2M Price Tag

Proposed coalition of professional researchers could help "accelerate decision-making" at the Ethereum layer-2 project, but complaints have surfaced over the cost and potential conflicts of interest.

Lybra Finance launched its version 2 test network on Arbitrum Wednesday morning. (Getty Images)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Guilty on All 7 Counts in FTX Fraud Trial

A tentative sentencing date was set for March 28, 2024. Bankman-Fried could spend decades in prison and potentially up to 115 years.

Sam Bankman-Fried (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried Lambasted by Prosecutor Right Before Jurors Began Deciding His Fate: SBF Thought 'He Could Fool the World'

A verdict in the SBF trial could come before the end of Thursday – on the first anniversary of the CoinDesk scoop that caused his empire to crumble.

Sam Bankman-Fried leaves his arraignment and bail hearing on Dec. 22, 2022, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

Policy

Sam Bankman-Fried on Verge of Tears as His Lawyer Concludes Defense

The alleged fraudster and ex-FTX CEO acted "in good faith," Bankman-Fried's attorney said in an emotional closing argument.

Trial of Sam Bankman-Fried (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)