Our Team

I am a cybersecurity and physical security professional with over a decade of experience across government, critical infrastructure, and the financial services sector. I currently serve as Regional Security Manager for Eastern Europe at Mastercard, based in Istanbul, where I lead integrated security programs covering threat intelligence, regulatory engagement, and the evolving risk landscape of digital assets. I hold a Master's in Cybersecurity and am the author of an IEEE-published study on organizational maturity in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation, examining how institutions adapt to emerging threats. I am also a Certified Blockchain Security Professional™ and have earned multiple credentials in cryptocurrency foundations. These certifications reflect a deliberate shift toward developing technical fluency in blockchain risk domains. My professional roots are in law enforcement and physical security, where I gained deep experience in operational risk, crisis response, and protecting critical environments. Rather than a limitation, this background provide me with real-world insight into human-layer vulnerabilities, security culture, and the importance of holistic threat modeling. I am particularly focused on minimizing the human attack surface — from social engineering to insider risks — and see this as one of the most urgent challenges in Web3 security. I see my role as a translator — between technical systems and real-world vulnerabilities, between crypto-native communities and institutional standards. My mission is to make blockchain ecosystems not only secure in code, but safe in practice. I serve as Vice Chair of ASIS Türkiye Chapter, contribute to the OSAC Istanbul Steering Committee, and collaborate with public and private sector partners across Türkiye, Ukraine, and Central Asia to promote security maturity and education. I support localization of tools like the GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit and speak regularly on AI, and security convergence. I am eager to support the CryptoCurrency Essentials Committee by helping expand C4’s educational reach, strengthen global standards, and foster a culture of resilient, human-aware security in crypto ecosystems.

Carlos Iván Merino is a government affairs professional with 10+ years in public service and campaigns. Working in NJ state government, he founded the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Alliance (NJITA) to educate businesses, government entities, and residents on blockchain, AI, and emerging tech impacts across New Jersey.

Josh is a software engineer and tech educator with a passion for learning and teaching others. Author of 'Digital Sovereignty: Protecting Your Crypto Assets Against Common Threats.'

Kirk Phillips, CPA, CMA, CFE, CBP, CEP has been in the crypto space full time for 12 years as an author, investor, degen, educator and advisor. He is founder of CryptoBullseye.Zone, a crypto intelligence system for learning mistake-free crypto. He is the author of the Ultimate Bitcoin Business Guide™, The Crypto Tax Blueprint™, the AICPA Blockchain Fundamentals course, Coindesk articles and numerous other publications. Kirk is a member of the AICPA Digital Asset & Virtual Currency Task Force and regularly speaks and educates CPAs and attorneys about the crypto and blockchain space. He is also a BitAngels Philadelphia City Leader and involved with numerous other initiatives in the digital asset space.

I have been in the information security sector for over 15 years and have had various roles from security analyst to SOC manager. I am currently a PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) with over 6 years’ experience assessing a variety of merchants, service providers and other organizations around securing their payment technology. These organizations range from small businesses, through to large retailers, as well as multi-national organizations and some of New Zealand’s major trading banks. I am excitedly waiting for the CryptoCurrency Security Standard (CCSS) Auditors certification to come online so I can start helping to secure the many and various organizations providing cryptocurrency products and services.

Sarina is an entrepreneur who has founded companies at the intersections of emerging technology, marketing, art, and blockchain. Her journey with blockchain began in 2011 at the world’s first Bitcoin conference, and she has been an active member of the community ever since. At her core, she leads with a customer-first mindset, turning complex ideas into clear, accessible language that anyone can understand. Her focus is on building companies that lower barriers to entry and open new markets.

Taher enables FinTech through Platform Solutions. He specializes in Digital Assets, Crypto Custody & Tokenisation products. He is an avid Learner; believes in growing knowledge by sharing it.