- Evan Shapiro created Mina Protocol to make blockchain lightweight enough for mobile access and everyday use.
- Even after stepping down, Shapiro continues shaping the future of decentralized digital identity and data ownership.
Amid the hustle and bustle of the crypto industry, full of jargon and giant transactions, one name has emerged that is taking a different direction. Evan Shapiro, a computer science graduate from Carnegie Mellon, chose an unusual path, he created a super lightweight blockchain, only 22 kilobytes (KB) in size.
No, this is not the size of a whitepaper or demo clip. This is really the size of the entire chain that can be accessed by anyone. As if he was challenging an industry that likes to exaggerate everything.
This story began in 2017 when Shapiro, along with his colleague Izaak Meckler, founded O(1) Labs. Instead of chasing the general crypto trend, they were interested in one thing that seemed boring but very important: efficiency. He wanted to create a blockchain that did not burden ordinary users. Because, not everyone has a data center-class laptop?
Turning an Idealistic Dream Into a Real, Usable Blockchain
Initially, their concept was criticized for being too idealistic. But Shapiro remained steadfast. He and his team used a technology known as zk-SNARK to reduce the size of the data that had to be stored.
The result is Mina Protocol, a network that can be run from a browser or mobile phone, without the need for a heavy-duty machine. Imagine managing wallets and transactions without having to download a city-sized blockchain.
However, the journey has not always been smooth. He briefly left the CEO position at the Mina Foundation in 2023. Maybe to take a breather or get away from the routine that was shackling him. But just a year later, he returned with a new role: Chief Product and Strategy Officer.
Not because he had to, but because he was not finished. He said at the time, his focus was to ensure that this blockchain could really be used by anyone, not just developers and investors.
On the other hand, there is something that is rarely known to the public. When not talking about zero-knowledge proofs or node structures, Shapiro is actually a drummer who once toured with an 80s band. It is not very common to find a crypto project leader who can talk casually about song tempos and data distribution protocols.
Evan Shapiro Still Believes Data Belongs to the People
Furthermore, he often voices his opinions about the digital world and the future of data ownership. On social media, he does not hesitate to ask the community back, not give lectures.
“What if everyone had complete control over their data?” This isn’t just a technological utopia. It’s the foundation of what he’s building.
In March 2025, he stepped down again. But there’s no sign that he’ll stop building for real. Many suspect that he’s preparing something behind the scenes. It could be a new project, or maybe just a break to enjoy life and music.
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