Connecting Worlds. An Interview with Mike M., Director of Integrations @ Chainlink Labs

Web3 Leader Spotlight: Mike (Michele) Massari

This week, we had the privilege of chatting with Mike Massari, an Engineering Leader at Chainlink Labs, which is the primary contributing developer of Chainlink, the decentralized computing platform that has enabled trillions of dollars in transaction value across DeFi, insurance, gaming and NFTs.

Follow Mike on X @mkmassari.

What inspired your transition from working in Web2 to focusing on Web3 technologies with Chainlink Labs?

In the early 2000s, I began my journey in software engineering in Italy, far from the exciting Web2 scene in the Bay Area. Later I moved to London and contributed to the “SaaS Revolution”, but I missed the inception of Web2 in its earliest years.

I am convinced that blockchain is the next, inevitable step in technological advancement and I wanted to be part of it as soon as possible! I joined Chainlink Labs to have the chance to build something that could help and impact billions of people and will power the future of information.

In your opinion, how vital is the integration of real-world data into smart contracts to push the broader adoption of Web3 technologies?

Undoubtedly crucial. I believe the integration of real-world data into smart contracts is the keystone for the widespread adoption of Web3 as a technology.

It’s not merely about tokenizing assets, but about leveraging the inherent strengths of blockchain - its security, decentralization, and immutability - to move us to a world where verifiable truths, rather than implicit trust, are the basis of our interactions.

What trends have you observed regarding the types of products or solutions that have generally achieved success within the Web3 space?

The excitement around AI-driven Web3 solutions is palpable. Every day, new applications that push the envelope of what’s possible are built, and more exciting use cases surface.

On a different note, in the past few years, there has been a strong push towards tackling identity and privacy challenges using blockchain capabilities. Innovations like Zero-Knowledge proofs are at the forefront, making it possible to verify credentials while safeguarding privacy and I’m excited to see a broader adoption of these in real-world scenarios.

What advice would you offer to upcoming software engineers who are considering entering the industry?

Entering the blockchain space as a software engineer requires a blend of continuous learning and practical application. It’s crucial to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies, and conferences and lectures are one of the best ways to do it while meeting intelligent and dedicated people.

Additionally, I recommend striving for a deep understanding of blockchain fundamentals, smart contracts, and cryptography, as these are foundational to developing robust blockchain solutions. Finally, hands-on experience is equally important; consider contributing to open-source projects or starting your own to navigate real challenges and blockchain applications in the real world.

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