Steven Nerayoff, Esq., LL.M.
Steven Nerayoff, Esq., LL.M., is a distinguished figure in the fields of technology, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. A serial entrepreneur, attorney, and inventor, he holds an impressive portfolio of 20 international patents and has founded several companies across Silicon Valley and New York City. Nerayoff has been instrumental in the development and success of major blockchain projects such as Ethereum, Lisk, Bancor, tZERO, ZenCash, ZCash, Ripio, Aion, and Storm. His pioneering work in the legal architecture of Ethereum's token sale has set a standard that is still followed worldwide. Moreover, Nerayoff is the Chairman of Global Blockchain Technologies, showcasing his leadership in the blockchain industry.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Great Neck, New York, Steven Nerayoff attended John L. Miller Great Neck North High School. Post-secondary education saw him graduate with a B.A. in Accounting from American University in 1992. He then earned his J.D. from Tulane University Law School in 1995, followed by a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University School of Law in 1996.
Early Career
Nerayoff's professional journey began at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, focusing on technology, mergers & acquisitions, structured transactions, tax, and corporate law.
Entrepreneurship and Blockchain
Steven has founded and led numerous ventures, notably:
- Freedom Home Healthcare, a leading private pay home health care provider sold to Webster Capital in 2008 and later became part of a $950 million acquisition by Bain Capital in 2017.
- iOffer, a negotiation-based marketplace that emerged as the internet's third-largest behind eBay and Amazon.
- Cooper Owen, co-founded with Mick Fleetwood, became the world's largest celebrity memorabilia company.
Blockchain Innovations
As a blockchain and AI pioneer, Steven is credited with inventing the utility token, ICO (Initial Coin Offering)[1], and STO (Security Token Offering), holding 46 US & International AI Patents. He played a critical role in the legal structure of Ethereum's token sale and designed the STO for tZERO, the first security token exchange. His companies, Alchemist and CloudParc, continue to push the boundaries in blockchain project development, investment, and smart city technology.
Current Work
- CEO and Founder of Alchemist: A consulting, accelerator, and investment firm specializing in blockchain companies.
- Founder & Executive Chairman of CloudParc: A next-generation AI and blockchain-based smart city platform.
Legacy
Steven Nerayoff's contributions to the blockchain industry are profound. His innovations in the legal framework of token sales have become a global standard, and his advisory roles in over 25 blockchain projects have significantly influenced the industry's development. Despite facing legal controversies in the past, Nerayoff's work continues to impact the fields of blockchain, AI, and technology entrepreneurship.