Alex Mashinksy

Alexander Mashinsky, born October 6, 1965, is an Israeli-American entrepreneur whose career trajectory shifted dramatically from celebrated tech innovator to convicted fraudster. He is best known as the co-founder and former CEO of Celsius Network, a cryptocurrency lending platform that collapsed into bankruptcy.

Mashinsky first made his mark in the 1990s with VoiceSmart, a pioneering telecommunications firm that developed switches capable of handling both traditional voice calls and emerging Voice over IP routing. He later founded GroundLink in 2004, creating a digital platform for booking limousines and car services via computer or smartphone. His entrepreneurial portfolio also includes Q-Wireless, which eventually became part of Transit Wireless, and a stint as CEO of Novatel from 2014 to 2015.

His career took a dark turn following Celsius's downfall. In January 2023, the New York Attorney General filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of securities fraud during his tenure at the company. That July, the SEC charged both Mashinsky and Celsius with violating federal securities laws, and federal authorities in the Southern District of New York simultaneously indicted and arrested him on allegations of fraud and market manipulation. Mashinsky ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of commodities fraud and one count of securities fraud, receiving a 12-year prison sentence.