Riyaz Faizullabhoy (Bastion)

Overview

Riyaz Faizullabhoy is a prominent figure in the tech industry, primarily known for his contributions to blockchain and cybersecurity. He co-founded Bastion, a startup that focuses on enabling enterprises to adopt Web3 technologies through secure and compliant infrastructure. Before Bastion, Faizullabhoy held significant roles at Andreessen Horowitz’s crypto arm (a16z crypto) and has extensive experience in enhancing security architectures in digital asset spaces.

Recent Developments

September 2025: Bastion raised $14.6 million in a funding round led by Coinbase Ventures, with participation from Sony Innovation Fund, a16z crypto, Samsung Next, and Hashed. This funding aims to expand Bastion’s regulated stablecoin infrastructure, enhancing their reach within the financial and tech industries.
June 2025: Vince Tejada, a Ripple alum, was appointed as Bastion's head of treasury and strategic finance, focusing on scaling operations and forming strategic partnerships. Tejada emphasizes stablecoin's growing role in treasury and global payment systems.
May 2025: Riyaz Faizullabhoy took on the role of Vice President of Security at Nexus, where he leads initiatives in secure engineering practices, focusing on performance and safety across systems.
October 2023: Bastion, co-founded by Faizullabhoy, emerged from stealth mode with a $25 million seed round led by a16z crypto. Bastion targets enterprises seeking to integrate web3 infrastructure seamlessly, overcoming traditional barriers such as complicated crypto wallets and regulatory challenges.
September 2023: Bastion launched its product suite designed to facilitate the enterprise transition to web3, focusing on areas like custodial wallets and smart transaction routing.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Riyaz Faizullabhoy
Born	Not publicly available
Nationality	Likely American
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Co-founder of Bastion
Known For	Co-founding Bastion, contributions to blockchain and web3 security
Net Worth	Not publicly available
Education	University of California, Berkeley (likely)

Early Life and Education

Specific details about Riyaz Faizullabhoy's early life are not extensively documented. However, it is believed he has a background in computer science and engineering, which laid the foundation for his subsequent career in technology and security. His educational journey possibly includes graduation from University of California, Berkeley, a common denominator for many tech entrepreneurs.

Career and Notable Achievements

Riyaz Faizullabhoy has built a significant career trajectory in tech and blockchain:

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z crypto): Served as Chief Technology Officer, where he focused on operationalizing security for various firms under the venture capital firm’s portfolio.
Bastion: Co-founded in 2023 alongside Nassim Eddequiouaq. Bastion is dedicated to helping businesses transition to web3 technologies through a suite of secure, compliant products and services. The startup received significant investment from a16z crypto and other prominent firms, marking it as a noteworthy endeavor in the blockchain space.
Docker and Meta: Provided security engineering expertise, particularly in developing fundamental security features for digital asset management and blockchain technologies.
Nexus (2025): Currently works as VP of Security, where he emphasizes building robust security architectures for web3 environments.

Current Work and Impact

As of 2025, Riyaz Faizullabhoy remains influential in the tech sector, particularly through his work with Bastion and Nexus. At Bastion, he focuses on advancing enterprise web3 adoption, offering solutions like stablecoin integration and smart transaction routings. His role at Nexus involves steering security initiatives that ensure the performance and safety of digital systems. Faizullabhoy's work continues to impact how businesses approach secure digital transactions and blockchain adoption.

Conclusion

Riyaz Faizullabhoy’s career reflects a deep commitment to pioneering secure digital infrastructures and championing the integration of web3 technologies into mainstream enterprise applications. His leadership at Bastion is pivotal in addressing common regulatory and technological challenges faced by businesses transitioning to digital asset ecosystems. Faizullabhoy’s ongoing efforts may continue to influence the blockchain industry substantially, promoting a safer and more accessible web3 environment for the future.