SEAL Org co-founder samczsun steps back as COO Shane Batt becomes interim CEO

One of crypto’s best-known security researchers is handing over the keys. Samczsun, co-founder of SEAL Org, is stepping away from daily operations and moving into a board seat. Shane Batt, the organization’s chief operating officer, is stepping in as interim CEO. What changed at the Security Alliance SEAL Org, formally the Security Alliance, announced the leadership transition on October 16, 2026. Samczsun will leave day-to-day management behind but stay on as a board member. Batt moves from running operations to running the whole show, at least for now. SEAL is searching for a permanent successor, and the announcement did not include a timeline for that search. Samczsun framed the move as a matter of fit rather than fatigue alone. In his announcement, he pointed to a gap between the skills needed to start an organization and those needed to grow one. “Taking things from 0 to 1 requires a very different skill set than scaling from 1 to 100.” He also said he needs a break after years of relentless work. He plans to keep offering strategic guidance while SEAL looks for a long-term chief executive. Community reaction to the news has been positive, centering on gratitude for what samcz...