Alexander Skidanov: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Alexander Skidanov’s Profile Summary

Company	NEAR Protocol (NEAR)
Position	Co-Founder
Source of wealth	Co-founder equity at NEAR Protocol, earnings from his role at MemSQL, additional investments in blockchain technology and startups.
Also known as	Tech entrepreneur, blockchain innovator.
Age	Unknown
Education	Saint Petersburg State University - Bachelor's Degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science
Citizenship	Russian
Residence	San Francisco, California, USA
Family	Information
Website, Social Media	https://near.org/

Biography

Alexander Skidanov has established himself as a leading figure in blockchain technology. He co-founded NEAR Protocol, a next-generation blockchain designed to provide developers and users with a scalable, user-friendly platform. Prior to founding NEAR, Alexander worked at Microsoft, where he refined his skills in software development and system architecture. He later joined the team at MemSQL (now SingleStore), a leading database company, where he became an expert in distributed systems and high-performance computing. His move into the blockchain space was driven by a desire to build scalable solutions for the next era of decentralized applications. Under his leadership, NEAR Protocol has garnered attention for its innovative sharding technology and focus on developer experience. Alexander has been instrumental in NEAR's progress, establishing it as a key player in the blockchain ecosystem.

How did Alexander Skidanov make money?

Alexander Skidanov makes money in the following areas:

Co-founder equity at NEAR Protocol, earnings from his role at MemSQL, additional investments in blockchain technology and startups.
What is Alexander Skidanov net worth?

As of 2026, there is no publicly available and reliable information regarding Alexander Skidanov’s net worth.

What is Alexander Skidanov also known as?

Alexander Skidanov is recognized not only for his work with NEAR Protocol but also for his previous contributions to high-performance computing and distributed database systems at MemSQL. He is known within the tech community for pioneering innovative blockchain solutions aimed at improving scalability and user adoption. His journey from traditional tech companies to the cutting-edge world of blockchain illustrates his adaptability and forward-thinking approach.

Prominent achievements

Co-founded NEAR Protocol, instrumental in implementing sharding solutions to enhance blockchain scalability, recognized for contributions to distributed computing and database systems at MemSQL.

What are Alexander Skidanov’s key insights?

Alexander Skidanov’s business philosophy centers around building scalable and accessible solutions that empower developers. He advocates for simplicity in user experience while pushing technological boundaries in blockchain development. His vision for NEAR Protocol reflects his belief in a decentralized future powered by developer-friendly ecosystems.

Personal life

Alexander maintains a private life, and details about his family are not publicly disclosed.

Useful insights

Community and ecosystem growth

Crypto Angel Investors often highlight the importance of community when evaluating the potential of a crypto project. A strong, engaged community can fuel a project’s success. Here’s what to look for.

Measure the project’s community engagement

Platforms like Telegram, Discord, and Twitter are essential for assessing a project’s community. Look for a project that has an active, supportive community that engages with the developers and marketing team. Projects with loyal communities tend to fare better in the long run.
Check the ecosystem’s development

A growing ecosystem with third-party applications and services built around the project is a positive sign. Look at the number of developers building on the platform and whether the project encourages external contributions. This kind of organic growth indicates the project's potential for long-term adoption.
Look for governance and decentralization

Strong governance mechanisms, such as Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), show that the community has a say in the project’s development. Projects with decentralized governance are often seen as more trustworthy and resilient, as they rely on the broader community rather than a centralized authority.