Mert Mumtaz of Helius Joins NEAR Foundation Council to Enhance Privacy Initiatives

In a significant move for the blockchain community, Mert Mumtaz, the CEO of Helius, has been appointed to the NEAR Foundation Council (NFC) as of October 15, 2026. The NEAR Foundation oversees the essential aspects of governance and decision-making within the NEAR ecosystem, and Mumtaz's expertise promises to bolster the Foundation's privacy-oriented strategies.

Mumtaz is recognized for his in-depth knowledge of cross-chain privacy infrastructure and his background as a technical operator in the crypto space. As the leader of Helius, he has been pivotal in developing the infrastructure utilized by leading projects like Phantom, Coinbase, and Bitwise. His experience includes managing RPC nodes and facilitating transaction delivery, underscoring his capability to enhance NEAR’s product strategy and govern its operations effectively.

Illia Polosukhin, Co-Founder of NEAR Protocol, spoke highly of Mumtaz’s selection, mentioning, "Mert is a rare force in crypto, blending deep technical expertise with the ability to articulate the industry's needs clearly. He's been an early advocate for NEAR and has significantly contributed to its ecosystem's growth. His insights will be crucial as we navigate the future landscape of private on-chain markets."

Mumtaz's visions align with the NEAR Foundation’s goal of creating a robust privacy architecture that champions decentralized finance. With the evolving nature of the blockchain space, achieving privacy for on-chain transactions is paramount. He has emphasized that successful crypto ecosystems cannot be segregated or restricted solely to centralized exchanges (CEXes). In an industry that thrives on collaboration, Mumtaz believes NEAR provides a platform to unify various chains and liquidity sources, making it the essential infrastructure for the future of decentralized financial interactions.

In addition to guiding NEAR's product and ecosystem strategy, Mumtaz will also participate as a judge for the upcoming NEAR Hackathon, commencing November 1. This event spans two weeks and focuses on leveraging NEAR's tech stack, including NEAR Intents and NEAR AI Cloud. This hackathon offers developers an opportunity to innovate and present solutions that align with NEAR's goal of fostering a privacy-first ecosystem. The results are expected to be announced on November 18.

Mumtat’s presence in the NEAR Council is seen as advantageous due to his background as an early adopter of NEAR Intents, a framework that processes significant transaction volumes while ensuring user confidentiality. NEAR has already processed over $33 billion through its system, demonstrating its capacity for high-volume, confidential financial operations. With a total value locked (TVL) over $160 million, NEAR continues to assert its position as a leader in the realm of universal liquidity and privacy.

As Mumtaz joins a council that includes notable figures such as Diogo Mónica and Chris Donovan, the collective expertise promises to propel NEAR’s initiatives forward in the ever-evolving blockchain landscape. The industry looks forward to witnessing the new heights NEAR can achieve under Mumtaz's guidance concerning privacy tools and cross-chain interactions.

NEAR’s commitment to innovation is evident, especially in a world leaning heavily towards privacy and accountability in digital transactions. The integration of Mumtaz within the Council reiterates their focused pursuit of building an inclusive and robust blockchain ecosystem, one that prioritizes user sovereignty and inter-chain cooperation.

Mumtaz's mantra appears clear: for crypto to thrive, collaboration across all platforms is essential. As he steps into his new role, stakeholders in the blockchain space will be watching closely to see how his insights and leadership shape the future of NEAR and the broader crypto ecosystem.