What you need to know about me:

• CTO at Ripple, the company behind the Ripple settlement network.

• One of the original architects of the XRP Ledger system, the first to solve the crypto-currency double spend problem without requiring either a central authority or proof of work.

• My alter ego is "JoelKatz" on the Bitcoin forums and other places.

• Follow me on Twitter -- @JoelKatz.

• Areas of expertise include cryptography, payment and settlement networks, advising fintech and emerging technology startups, and C++ programming.

• Areas of interest include computers, aviation (both full scale and model/drone), basketball and football.

• My wife and I have a blog, but it's only rarely updated.