David Schwed

CTO at OpenReserve

New York, New York, United States

About David Schwed

David Schwed is CTO at OpenReserve. Location: New York, New York, United States.

Currently serving as the Chief Technology Officer of OpenReserve. I've been at the forefront of cybersecurity, spearheading initiatives that safeguard assets and enhance cybersecurity measures in the financial services industry. My journey, deeply rooted in both technology and law, has led me through pivotal roles, each contributing to my expertise as a digital assets expert and blockchain security specialist. Prior to joining OpenReserve, I served as the COO of SVRN, a company dedicated to building the future of private, verifiable, and user-owned AI, and before that as the CISO, Brokerage & Money for Robinhood. I also served as the COO for Halborn as well as the Global Head of Digital Assets Technology at BNY Mellon, where I was instrumental in integrating blockchain technology into traditional banking systems, setting new standards for digital asset security. My tenure at Galaxy Digital as Managing Director and Chief Information Security Officer further honed my skills in managing cybersecurity in the realm of digital assets. As a Co-Founder, General Counsel, and Chief Information Officer at MASS Communications, later acquired by Windstream Enterprise, a Fortune 500 Company, I not only enhanced my expertise in information technology and legal compliance but also demonstrated my ability to guide a company from inception to a successful acquisition. My academic contributions, as a Professor and Founding Director of the Cybersecurity Master's Program at Katz School of Science and Health, allowed me to shape the minds of future cybersecurity leaders, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical, real-world security challenges. My education, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, magna cum laude, laid a strong legal foundation, enabling me to navigate the complex intersection of technology, law, and security. Currently, I'm also an active early-stage investor in several promising blockchain and fintech startups, including Lava Network, Utila, Tres, Bitpulse, and Hexagate, as well as an advisor to Dfns, leveraging my expertise to identify and cultivate groundbreaking technologies in the digital assets space. Moreover, as an expert witness, I've provided critical analysis and testimony in both criminal and civil cases, specializing in computer forensics, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency. My journey reflects a blend of leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to advancing the security and integrity of digital assets and blockchain technology.

Skills

  • Business Continuity
  • IT Audit
  • Information Security

Additional experience

  • Chief Operating Officer

    SVRN

    Started October 2025

Education

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) - Magna Cum Laude, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Empire State University