• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Some Fortune Crypto pricing data is provided by Binance.
The LedgerBlockchain

He Used to Protect U.S. Presidents. Now, He’s Protecting Blockchain

By
Polina Marinova
Polina Marinova
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Polina Marinova
Polina Marinova
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 20, 2018, 12:56 PM ET
Secret Service
Secret Service. james Anderson Getty ImagesJames Anderson—Getty Images

George Sax, a former deputy assistant director of the United States Secret Service, has joined a London-based Bitcoin wallet startup called Blockchain. Sax will be the new global head of security at the crypto company.

In his 25-year career, Sax was responsible for combating cyber-related financial crimes and developing programs to protect the U.S. financial infrastructure. He was also responsible for protecting a number of U.S. presidents and their families. Most recently, he managed security for the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign as well as Donald Trump’s 2017 U.S. presidential inauguration.

“Blockchain is helping to build a fairer financial future by democratizing access to digital assets,” Sax said in a company statement.

The news comes at a time when cyber robberies are not uncommon. Last August, Fortune spoke with more than a dozen victims, including tech CEOs and well-known blockchain proponents, whose Coinbase accounts were emptied.

That’s exactly what Blockhain hopes to avoid by hiring Sax. The startup’s co-founder and CEO Peter Smith told Bloomberg that Blockchain is “one of the top targets in the world for security threats.”

Blockchain has created a bitcoin wallet that stores the digital currency and carries out transactions. The company raised more than $70 million in funding from investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Lakestar, GV (formerly known as Google Ventures), and billionaire Richard Branson. It reportedly manages more than 26 million digital wallets across 140 countries.

About the Author
By Polina Marinova
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in The Ledger

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in The Ledger

Keeping up with the SEC: Here’s what Kim Kardashian and your financial adviser have in common
CommentaryEndorsements
Keeping up with the SEC: Here’s what Kim Kardashian and your financial adviser have in common
By Michael BoeseNovember 29, 2022
3 years ago
Crypto lender BlockFi files for bankruptcy after FTX implosion
FinanceFTX
Crypto lender BlockFi files for bankruptcy after FTX implosion
By Chris MorrisNovember 28, 2022
3 years ago
New York bans new crypto mining power plants—for now
The LedgerFlorida
New York bans new crypto mining power plants—for now
By The Associated PressNovember 23, 2022
3 years ago
Sam Bankman-Fried gives most detailed  explanation yet about FTX’s collapse in letter to staff while still claiming ignorance of wrongdoing
The LedgerFTX
Sam Bankman-Fried gives most detailed explanation yet about FTX’s collapse in letter to staff while still claiming ignorance of wrongdoing
By Joanna Ossinger and BloombergNovember 22, 2022
3 years ago
Crypto brokerage Genesis said to be warning investors it may declare bankruptcy if it can’t raise at least $1 billion
The LedgerCryptocurrency
Crypto brokerage Genesis said to be warning investors it may declare bankruptcy if it can’t raise at least $1 billion
By Lydia Beyoud, Sonali Basak, Vildana Hajric, Muyao Shen and BloombergNovember 22, 2022
3 years ago
New FTX CEO hired to clean up Sam Bankman-Fried’s mess is being paid $1,300 an hour
The LedgerFTX
New FTX CEO hired to clean up Sam Bankman-Fried’s mess is being paid $1,300 an hour
By Jack Schickler and CoinDeskNovember 21, 2022
3 years ago

Most Popular

Scottie Scheffler joined Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in golf's $100M club—and donated his entire Ryder Cup stipend to charity
Success
Scottie Scheffler joined Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in golf's $100M club—and donated his entire Ryder Cup stipend to charity
By Fortune EditorsApril 10, 2026
1 day ago
The Navy confirmed an ‘abundant amount’ of Uncrustables when the Artemis II crew lands. Smucker’s just offered them a lifetime supply
Politics
The Navy confirmed an ‘abundant amount’ of Uncrustables when the Artemis II crew lands. Smucker’s just offered them a lifetime supply
By Fortune EditorsApril 10, 2026
20 hours ago
Mark Cuban admits he made a mistake letting go of the Mavericks: 'I don't regret selling. I regret who I sold to'
Investing
Mark Cuban admits he made a mistake letting go of the Mavericks: 'I don't regret selling. I regret who I sold to'
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
2 days ago
Schools across America are quietly admitting that screens in classrooms made students worse off and are reversing years of tech-first policies
Innovation
Schools across America are quietly admitting that screens in classrooms made students worse off and are reversing years of tech-first policies
By Fortune EditorsApril 10, 2026
1 day ago
The U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
Economy
The U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
2 days ago
The 'affordability economy' has created a housing market nobody predicted: Prices collapsing in the Sun Belt, soaring in the Rust Belt
Real Estate
The 'affordability economy' has created a housing market nobody predicted: Prices collapsing in the Sun Belt, soaring in the Rust Belt
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
10 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.