ALAA HADAD

Principal Engineer - Blockchain Architect

Former Principal Software Engineer at MetaMask, Solana Superteam UAE, Strategic Advisor at Metafour Labs

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Innovation Hub, Dubai, UAE

(971) 50-5744460

alaahd@gmail.com

GitHub | LinkedIn | Telegram

SUMMARY

Principal-level blockchain architect with 8+ years of specialized blockchain infrastructure experience and 15+ years in software architecture. Led the design and implementation of production-grade wallet systems, smart contract architectures, and multi-chain platforms serving millions of users at MetaMask/Consensys. Deep expertise in custodial/non-custodial wallet technologies, cross-chain interoperability, DeFi integrations, and enterprise blockchain infrastructure. Proven track record architecting secure, scalable blockchain systems across Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, and L2 networks with comprehensive knowledge of MPC wallets, smart contract security, and on-chain governance systems.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Blockchain Architecture & Infrastructure

Multi-chain wallet systems (custodial/non-custodial, MPC, smart wallets)
Smart contract platforms (Ethereum, EVM, L2s: Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon)
Cross-chain bridges, asset tokenization, L2 interoperability
Blockchain node infrastructure and RPC layer optimization

Wallet Technology & Security

Secure key management and cryptographic integrity
Hardware wallet integrations and MPC implementations
Token standards (ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-4337)
Self-custodial wallet architectures at enterprise scale

DeFi & Smart Contract Systems

Production DeFi platform architecture and implementation
Smart contract development and security (Solidity, Web3.js, Ethers.js)
Fiat on/off ramp integrations and KYC compliance modules
On-chain accounting and transaction monitoring

Enterprise & Cloud-Native Architecture

Scalable blockchain infrastructure design
Cloud-native systems (containerization, infrastructure-as-code)
API integration and data handling (GraphQL, REST)
Cross-platform implementations (React, React Native, TypeScript)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Metafour Labs | Strategic Advisor

Jan 2024 - Present

Dubai (DIFC) - United Arab Emirates

Lead blockchain architecture strategy for early-stage AI and Web3 companies, providing expert advisory on multi-chain infrastructure, wallet systems, and DeFi integration patterns
Design and execute technical roadmaps for blockchain implementation, including smart contract architecture, cross-chain protocols, and tokenomics frameworks
Guide startups through complex blockchain challenges including node infrastructure optimization, security best practices, and regulatory compliance integrations
Build strategic partnerships with venture capital funds and blockchain ecosystem stakeholders, identifying high-potential blockchain infrastructure investments

Consensys - MetaMask | Principal Software Engineer (Blockchain)

Apr 2018 - Oct 2023 (5 yrs 6 mos)

Dubai - UAE

Principal Software Engineer (Frontend) | Jul 2022 - Nov 2023

Architected and led development of MetaMask Portfolio platform, creating a comprehensive multi-chain asset management interface that aggregated users' crypto holdings, DeFi activities, and NFTs across Ethereum, Polygon, and 15+ blockchain networks
Designed cross-chain transaction mechanisms enabling users to seamlessly swap, bridge, and move crypto between networks with optimized routing strategies for efficient transactions and minimal gas costs
Implemented advanced blockchain frontend architecture using React, TypeScript, and Web3.js/Ethers.js with comprehensive security testing suites (Jest, Cypress) ensuring wallet security and reliability for millions of active users
Led enterprise-grade smart contract integrations with comprehensive token standard support (ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-1155) and advanced DeFi protocol interactions

Tech Lead, Full Stack Engineer | Aug 2020 - Aug 2022

Spearheaded MetaMask's Buy Crypto feature architecture, creating a fiat on-ramp aggregation service that fetched optimal exchange rates across multiple providers, implementing KYC compliance modules and secure payment processing
Designed and architected key components for MetaMask Mobile using React Native, enhancing self-custodial wallet experience through intuitive interfaces while maintaining cryptographic integrity and secure key management
Led cross-functional teams to implement complex blockchain solutions across browser extensions and mobile platforms, maintaining consistent state management and seamless user experience across multi-chain environments
Architected secure wallet infrastructure supporting hardware wallet integrations, MPC implementations, and advanced transaction signing mechanisms

Senior Software Engineer | Apr 2018 - Aug 2020

Developed Transaction Insights feature for MetaMask's browser extension, providing users with critical transparency into smart contract interactions before transaction approval, implementing advanced contract analysis and security warnings
Built core wallet infrastructure components using JavaScript, TypeScript, React, and Redux, integrating with Web3.js and Ethers.js to enable secure blockchain interactions across multiple networks
Contributed to key security enhancements for self-custodial wallets, ensuring users maintained complete control over digital assets while implementing enterprise-grade security patterns and usability improvements
Implemented blockchain node optimization and RPC layer performance enhancements, reducing transaction latency and improving network reliability

Sky News Arabia | Senior Frontend Engineer

Jun 2016 - Mar 2018

Abu Dhabi - UAE

Led frontend development for digital platform with responsive design principles improving mobile usability and increasing engagement by 35%
Architected component-based solutions using modern JavaScript frameworks, enhancing performance and reducing page load times by 40%

Previous Roles | 2005 - 2016

GravitySeven - Managing Director (2013-2016)
AlArabiya News Channel - Web Development Specialist (2010-2011)
Middle East Broadcasting Corp - Senior Web Developer (2005-2010)

HIGHLIGHTED BLOCKCHAIN PROJECTS

MetaMask Portfolio | Principal Blockchain Architect

March 2022 - October 2023 | https://portfolio.metamask.io

Comprehensive multi-chain asset management platform designed to aggregate and manage users' assets across 15+ blockchain networks including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and more. Architected cross-chain interoperability layers enabling seamless asset transfers, DeFi protocol interactions, and NFT management.

Architecture Highlights:

Multi-chain wallet architecture supporting both custodial and non-custodial implementations
Cross-chain bridge integrations with optimized routing algorithms for efficient asset transfers
DeFi protocol aggregation enabling yield farming, staking, and liquidity provision across chains
Smart contract security frameworks with comprehensive transaction analysis and risk assessment

Tech Stack: React, TypeScript, Web3.js, Ethers.js, Tailwind, GraphQL, Redux, Node.js, NestJS, Jest, Cypress

MetaMask Buy Crypto (Fiat On-Ramp) | Lead Blockchain Engineer

January 2021 - March 2022 | https://metamask.io/download/

Fiat-to-crypto bridge architecture providing reliable, low-cost crypto acquisition through aggregated exchange rate optimization across multiple providers. Implemented KYC compliance modules and secure payment processing infrastructure.

Architecture Highlights:

Multi-provider aggregation service for optimal exchange rates and minimal fees
Secure KYC integration modules with privacy-preserving identity verification
Compliance monitoring systems for AML and transaction screening
Mobile-first wallet architecture with React Native implementation

Tech Stack: TypeScript, NestJS, React Native, GraphQL, Redux, Ethers.js, Metro

Repo: https://github.com/MetaMask/metamask-mobile/pulls?q=is%3Apr+author%3Aalaahd+is%3Aclosed

MetaMask Transaction Insights | Senior Blockchain Engineer

June 2020 - January 2021 | https://metamask.io/download/

Smart contract interaction transparency system providing users with detailed transaction analysis before approval. Implemented advanced contract analysis algorithms and security risk assessment frameworks.

Architecture Highlights:

Smart contract analysis engine for transaction transparency and security warnings
On-chain data interpretation with real-time contract interaction insights
Security risk assessment algorithms for suspicious transaction detection
Browser extension architecture with seamless Web3 integration

Tech Stack: JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Redux, Web3.js, Ethers.js

EDUCATION

University of Sharjah

B.Sc. in Computer Science | 2000 – 2005

LANGUAGES

English (Full Professional)
Arabic (Native)

REFERENCES

Available upon request.