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UK Startup Optalysys Debuts Server for Blockchains
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By Ian Allison|Edited by Parikshit Mishra
Jun 16, 2025, 10:09 a.m.
- Optalysys offers a cheaper alternative to costly and inefficient GPU-based systems, using 40% less energy.
- The Leeds-based firm was founded in 2013 by Dr. Nick New (CEO) and Robert Todd (CTO).
Optalysys, a U.K.-based startup focused on secure computing, has introduced what it claims to be the world’s first server for blockchains that can process data at scale without decrypting it.
The firm’s LightLocker node is a server that uses Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), a mathematical technique allowing computations to be performed on encrypted data without compromising the encryption.
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The last year has seen a couple of firms raising money and exploring applications of FHE within the cryptocurrency space. Optalysys says its server hardware is purpose-built for blockchain encryption, and offers a cheaper alternative to costly and inefficient GPU-based systems, using 40% less energy.
Based in Leeds, England, Optalysys was founded in 2013 by Dr. Nick New (CEO) and Robert Todd (CTO). The firm raised a 21 million pound ($28 million) Series A in July 2023.
“For blockchain technologies to be adopted at scale, infrastructure that supports confidential computing is essential,” said CEO New in a statement.
“Traditional hardware solutions for encrypted blockchain are costly and inefficient. General-use chips are also not designed for the specific requirements of encrypted transaction processing,” New added.
Ian Allison is a senior reporter at CoinDesk, focused on institutional and enterprise adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Prior to that, he covered fintech for the International Business Times in London and Newsweek online. He won the State Street Data and Innovation journalist of the year award in 2017, and was runner up the following year. He also earned CoinDesk an honourable mention in the 2020 SABEW Best in Business awards. His November 2022 FTX scoop, which brought down the exchange and its boss Sam Bankman-Fried, won a Polk award, Loeb award and New York Press Club award. Ian graduated from the University of Edinburgh. He holds ETH.
