an Larimer, born in Colorado, is a software programmer and cryptocurrency entrepreneur who created cryptocurrency platforms Bitshares (BTS), Steem (STEEM), and EOS. He is also the creator of the DPoS (delegated proof of stake) consensus algorithm and Graphene technology. Additionally, he’s known as one of the leading innovators, engineers, and thought leaders in the blockchain space and currently serves as CTO of Block.One.

Larimer was born into a techy lifestyle and learned to program at a very young age. After highschool, Larimer went on to study at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where he received a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science in 2003. He then pursued a career path involved in software engineering roles at several companies. 

Then in 2009, the same year Bitcoin was created, Larimer became interested in blockchain technologies. He discovered Bitcoin as he was attempting to build a digital currency himself and immediately started tinkering with the technology. He even began communicating with Satoshi Nakamoto himself, the anonymous founder of Bitcoin in a Bitcoin talk forum. One of the most famous quotes from Satoshi towards Larimer read: "If you don't believe me or don't get it, I don't have time to try to convince you, sorry." 

Larimer became infatuated with blockchain technology and went on to build his first successful cryptocurrency, Bitshares (BTS) in 2013. Three years later, Larimer moved on to build the Steem blockchain and social network Steemit. Then just one year later, Larimer left that project as well and became the CTO of Block.One where he then developed the EOSIO blockchain. As of February 2018, Forbes estimated Larimers net worth to be between $600 - $700 million.