👋 Hi, I’m Wasif Ul Islam Shah
🧠 Protocol Engineer, Technical Lead & Blockchain Architect
I’m a Protocol Engineer & Technical Lead with deep expertise in Rust, Substrate, Solana, and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). I specialize in building secure, scalable, and high-performance blockchain systems that power decentralized protocols, privacy-first infrastructure, and real-time services.
My engineering approach is grounded in Domain-Driven Design (DDD), enabling me to architect modular, maintainable systems for complex environments. I’ve delivered end-to-end blockchain platforms — from runtime and pallet development to ZK-enabled cryptography, interoperability frameworks, and backend infrastructure.
🔬 Recent Technical Focus
- Built a zk-compression–based shielded transfer system on Solana, using Light Protocol for privacy-first token transfers with stealth addresses and zk-SNARK verification.
- Currently leading development of FintraDex, a next-generation orderbook DEX on Substrate. Under active development, it integrates Risc0 zkVM for trustless off-chain order matching and ISMP + Hyperbridge for seamless cross-chain trading across Substrate, Solana, and EVM ecosystems.
- Leveraging my expertise in ZK systems and interoperability to deliver scalable, privacy-preserving, and cross-chain DeFi infrastructure.
- Expanding into AI-integrated delivery with certifications in Prompt Engineering, GenAI Data Infrastructure, and CPMAI™.
🧱 Architectural Philosophy
I design systems that are:
- Modular — separated by domain and responsibility
- Resilient — designed for recovery and long-term uptime
- Horizontally Scalable — optimized for throughput and growth
From ZK-integrated backends to cross-chain orderbook protocols, I focus on systems that are robust, interoperable, and future-ready.
🚀 Featured Work
🔐 Protocol Engineer – FintraDex
Next-generation orderbook DEX for decentralized finance
- Leading architecture and protocol development of FintraDex, built on Substrate.
- Integrating Risc0 zkVM for trustless, zero-knowledge off-chain order matching and settlement.
- Actively implementing ISMP + Hyperbridge to enable cross-chain interoperability with Substrate, Solana, and EVM ecosystems.
- Designing custom runtime pallets for order management, settlement, and governance.
- Previously contributed to SnowBridge integration for Polkadot↔Ethereum asset transfers.
🧪 zk-Compression & Shielded Transfers – Solana / Light Protocol
zk-SNARK-powered privacy infrastructure
- Implemented zk-compression for privacy-preserving token transfers on Solana.
- Integrated Light Protocol for shielded transactions and confidential DeFi operations.
- Built compressed Merkle tree implementations for efficient state storage and gas optimization.
- Designed ZK proof systems enabling both privacy and compliance in financial applications.
🪐 Lead Rust/Substrate Engineer – Siriux.ai
Substrate-powered Layer 1 blockchain
- Designed and launched Siriux, a scalable L1 blockchain.
- Developed modular backend services using Rust + Actix-Web.
- Integrated Kafka, PostgreSQL, Redis, and AWS for real-time, event-driven infrastructure.
- Advocated DDD principles for maintainable and extensible architecture.
🛠️ Core Technologies & Expertise
Blockchain & Web3
- Substrate (custom pallets, governance, parachains)
- Solana (Anchor framework, Token-2022, Light Protocol)
- Interoperability: ISMP + Hyperbridge, SnowBridge
- Zero-Knowledge Proofs: Risc0 zkVM, zk-SNARKs, zk-compression
- On-chain/off-chain workflows, wallet integration
Backend & Infrastructure
- Rust (Actix-Web, Tokio, Subxt), Node.js (integration tooling)
- Event-driven systems: Kafka, Temporal.io
- Databases: PostgreSQL, Redis, MySQL
- Cloud & DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, GCP, CI/CD pipelines
AI & Emerging Tech
- Prompt Engineering, GenAI Data Infrastructure, CPMAI™
- AI-enhanced project delivery integrated with blockchain systems
🎯 Current Focus
I’m currently building FintraDex, a zero-knowledge-enabled orderbook DEX, with:
- Risc0 zkVM for privacy-preserving, trustless order matching.
- ISMP + Hyperbridge for seamless cross-chain liquidity across Substrate, Solana, and EVM ecosystems.
This represents the next evolution of DeFi infrastructure — combining ZK proofs, interoperability, and protocol engineering to deliver secure, scalable, and cross-chain financial systems.
📫 Get In Touch
I’m always open to discussing protocol engineering, ZK systems, cross-chain DeFi, and AI-driven development. Let’s build the future of decentralized finance together. 🚀