Jack Mallers
Jack Mallers is the founder and CEO of Strike, a popular app that allows users to make and receive payments over Bitcoin’s Lightning Network without fees. He is also the founder of Strike's parent company, Zap, a Bitcoin investment and payments company powered by the Lightning Network.[1] In 2025, he co-founded and became CEO of Twenty One Capital Inc., a high-profile Bitcoin-native company, along with Tether, SoftBank Group, and Cantor Equity Partners.[2] He was born on April 9, 1994, in Chicago, Illinois, and comes from a family with deep roots in the financial industry. His grandfather was the chairman of the Chicago Board of Trade in 1969, and his father co-founded a pioneering discount futures brokerage firm in Chicago.[3][4] Education and Early Career[edit]Mallers attended St. John’s University in New York but left after less than a year to pursue his passion for technology at the Starter School, a coding boot camp in Chicago. During this time, he developed various apps, including tools for wheelchair-accessible transportation and fitness client management.[5] Family Influence[edit]Mallers comes from a family with a strong background in finance. His grandfather, William J. Mallers, Sr. was instrumental in founding the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and his father, William Mallers, Jr., co-founded the brokerage firm First American Discount Corporation. This financial legacy has played a role in shaping Mallers' career and his approach to business. His uncle, Tom Mallers, works for R.J. O'Brien, and aunt, Joanna Mallers, works for the FIA. Role in the Cryptocurrency Community[edit]Mallers was introduced to Bitcoin by his father in 2013 and began exploring its potential more seriously in subsequent years. In 2017, he recognized the potential of the Lightning Network to facilitate fast and scalable Bitcoin transactions. This led to the creation of Zap, a non-custodial wallet designed to make Lightning Network payments user-friendly.[6] Zap and Strike[edit]Zap initially targeted cannabis dispensaries that struggled with banking services due to legal restrictions. However, the company pivoted to broader applications, launching Olympus in 2019, a feature that allowed users to purchase Bitcoin with fiat currency. In 2020, Mallers introduced Strike, a rebranding of Olympus, enabling users to transact on the Lightning Network using fiat currency without needing to own Bitcoin or set up a wallet. Strike has been instrumental in making Bitcoin transactions more accessible and efficient.[7] Influence in El Salvador[edit]Mallers played a significant role in El Salvador's adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender. Through his work with Strike, he helped facilitate low-cost remittances, a crucial service for the country where remittances make up a significant portion of the GDP. Mallers collaborated with President Nayib Bukele, discussing how Bitcoin could enhance financial inclusion and open systems in El Salvador.[8][9] Twenty One Capital Inc.[edit]In 2025, became co-founder and chief executive officer of Twenty One Capital Inc., a high-profile Bitcoin-native company formed through a business combination with Cantor Equity Partners, a special-purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Cantor Fitzgerald.[10] Backed by major players from both the cryptocurrency and traditional finance sectors—including Tether, SoftBank Group, and Cantor Fitzgerald—Twenty One Capital was launched with an initial treasury of over 42,000 Bitcoin, making it one of the largest corporate holders of Bitcoin globally.[11] Vision and Goals[edit]Mallers envisions a future where Bitcoin is seamlessly integrated into everyday financial systems, offering innovation, accessibility, and efficiency. His work with Zap and Strike aims to lower barriers to Bitcoin adoption and promote financial inclusivity worldwide.[12][13][14] Mallers and JPMorgan[edit]Mallers has a history of public clashes with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who has frequently criticized Bitcoin. In November 2025, Mallers said that JPMorgan Chase had abruptly terminated his personal bank accounts in September without offering any explanation. The move revived industry fears over politically motivated “debanking” of crypto executives. Mallers shared a letter from the bank citing unspecified “concerning activity” detected during routine monitoring and pointing to obligations under the Bank Secrecy Act. The letter warned that the bank “may not be able to open new accounts” for him in the future, he said.[15] Net Worth[edit]As of 2024, Jack Mallers' net worth is estimated to be around $50 million, reflecting his success in the cryptocurrency industry and his early investments in Bitcoin.[16] References[edit]
|
 John Lothian News Feed
We visit more than 100 websites daily for financial news (Would YOU do that?). Read the John Lothian Newsletter.
| ||||||||||||
