# JongHyup Lee

> JongHyup Lee is a person that is an associate professor and blockchain researcher who co‑founded and leads blockchain projects and companies while researching software security and blockchain systems.

- Canonical URL: https://iq.wiki/wiki/jonghyup-lee
- Categories: People in crypto
- Tags: Developer, Founder, Researcher, Speaker
- Created: 2026-09-14T15:56:07.730Z
- Last updated: 2026-09-14T16:05:20.684Z
- Source: IQ.wiki — the world's largest blockchain and crypto encyclopedia (https://iq.wiki)

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**JongHyup Lee** (Korean: 이종협) is a [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) researcher, technology executive, and academic with a background spanning [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) infrastructure, research and development, and computer science. He is Co-founder and CTO of [BIFROST](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bifrost-network) Technology and PiLab Technology, and serves as an Associate Professor at Gachon University. [\[2\]](#cite-id-yp6dvj84tf) 

## Education

Lee graduated from Yonsei University with a BS in Computer and Electronic Engineering in 2002, an MS in Computer Science in 2004, and a PhD in Computer Science in 2009. [\[3\]](#cite-id-qpf4ad9sc8) 

## Career

Lee began his academic career as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh from 2009 to 2012. He then joined Korea National University of Transportation as an Assistant Professor in March 2012, a position he held until February 2015. In March 2015, he became an Associate Professor at Gachon University, where he continues to serve. Lee co-founded PiLab Technology in March 2016 and serves as its CTO, leading research and development teams at the [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-focused company and working on [BIFROST](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bifrost-network) [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) service middleware. In February 2018, he co-founded [BIFROST](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bifrost-network) Technology, where he serves as CTO. [\[1\]](#cite-id-k4u9xaghul) 

![](https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmcDL1ZAwxhw6FeqxK7VfosfndgW5FMexGiZd6XE5rX8UZ)

## Presentations

### Blockchain Tech

In a May 2020 presentation at Block Crafters, Lee discussed blockchain scalability and the development of [Layer 1](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-1) and [Layer 2](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-2) solutions. He examined the trade-offs between scalability, decentralization, and security, emphasizing the difficulty of optimizing all three while considering the evolution of [consensus mechanisms](https://iq.wiki/wiki/consensus-mechanism) and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) protocols. Lee also explained [Layer 2](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-2) approaches such as state channels and sidechains, including their design principles, scalability benefits, and challenges involving trust and validation. The presentation also covered the development of new [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) protocols and programming languages, the role of application-layer innovation, and the need for flexible systems that can incorporate new features without compromising security or decentralization. Lee further discussed [tokenomics](https://iq.wiki/wiki/tokenomics) and incentive structures, noting the complexity of designing mechanisms that encourage participation and maintain system integrity among different stakeholders. He concluded by considering potential [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) applications, particularly gaming and integrations with real-world systems, while highlighting the importance of trust, transaction speed, user-focused design, and continued participation in [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) development. [\[5\]](#cite-id-edl38fvn7h) 

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