Marek Olszewski’s Vision to Make Crypto Fit for Everyone

• Marek Olszewski led Celo’s shift to Ethereum Layer 2 for improved scalability and user accessibility.
• He actively promotes ReFi, combining blockchain tools with real-world climate action and mobile-first financial inclusion.

While others would build their careers at big tech companies, Marek Olszewski took a slightly different path. He didn’t just want to be part of the digital revolution—he wanted to reshape the way the world accesses money. And it all started with a mobile phone.

Marek is no stranger to the tech world. He had a career as VP of Engineering at GoDaddy after his startup, Locu, was acquired. But rather than settle comfortably in the world of data-driven startups and machine learning, he chose a riskier path: blockchain.

Not to follow a trend, but because he saw a big hole that hadn’t been filled—what if blockchain wasn’t just for geeks, but could be used by anyone, even in villages without banks?

Marek Olszewski: From Building for Phones to Building on Ethereum

That’s where Celo came in. He and his partner, Rene Reinsberg, built Celo as a blockchain designed specifically for mobile devices. It’s hassle-free, inexpensive, and accessible to anyone. In some regions, Celo has even become an easier payment solution than traditional banking systems. It’s a bit surprising, considering that most other blockchains still rely on high-end laptops and super-fast networks.

However, Marek’s path has not always been smooth. Developing a blockchain with a focus on financial inclusion sounds cool, but in practice it requires a lot of compromise.

He had to ensure that gas fees remained cheap, transactions remained secure, and the network was not abused. So in 2023, Marek made a bold decision: to convert Celo from a Layer 1 blockchain to a Layer 2 on top of Ethereum.

For some, this was like returning home after a long absence. Even Marek himself called it a “homecoming moment.” He wanted Celo to remain lightweight and user-friendly, but also benefit from Ethereum’s more mature infrastructure.

Not all of the community agreed, but this decision opened up new opportunities. With technologies like rollups and data availability from EigenDA, network performance can remain efficient.

Environmental Focus and Executive Role Expansion

On the other hand, Marek also did not forget the role of the environment. He is one of the proponents of the ReFi (Regenerative Finance) concept. Not just planting trees as homework, but creating financial incentives that trigger real action. At Buidl Asia, he even explained how digital money can be used to support real action against climate change.

Furthermore, his role behind the scenes has also continued to grow. In May 2024, he was officially appointed CEO of cLabs, Celo’s development unit, replacing Tim Moreton.

Interestingly, the announcement came shortly after he returned from paternity leave. Yes, in addition to being busy with the crypto space, he also just became a father. Not many CTOs can say they released a network upgrade and changed diapers in the same week.

If you look back, Marek’s story is like a combination of a technician, a storyteller, and a little adventurer. He didn’t just build a protocol, but reimagined the human relationship with digital money. While some people were still debating whether crypto was the future, Marek had already asked: How can we make that future accessible to everyone?

Looking at his work now, it’s hard to deny the fact that Marek Olszewski is more than just a technologist. He is like a modern financial architect with one simple question—what if the future of money was in the hands of everyone, not just a few elites?