Stephen Tse is the founder of Harmony (ONE), a layer-1 blockchain focused on scalability, decentralization, and cross-chain interoperability. He holds a PhD in cryptographic protocols from the University of Pennsylvania and previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Apple (which acquired his startup, Spotsetter).

Tse launched Harmony in 2018 with a focus on high-throughput and secure decentralized applications. While praised for his technical expertise and vision, his leadership has been criticized. Former team members have accused him of workplace bullying, mismanagement of funds, and toxic behavior, leading to internal conflict and lawsuits. Despite the controversies, Tse remains active in Harmony’s development and direction.