# Senior_Backend_Engineer.md

Iqbal Zainal Profile

# Iqbal Zainal @ Yllvar Anwar

Senior Backend Engineer | DeFi Protocol Specialist
Anwar, Penang, Malaysia
+60 197378180
yllvatanwar@gmail.com
LinkedIn Profile
github.com/yllvar

## Professional Summary

"

Senior Backend Engineer specializing in DeFi protocols and high-performance blockchain systems with 15+ years of experience. Expert in building non-custodial money market protocols, lending/borrowing systems, and microservices architectures. Led distributed teams to deliver scalable DeFi solutions processing 5,000+ transactions/second with sub-250ms latency. Extensive experience with Solana's high-throughput architecture, transferable to Sei Network's parallel execution model.

"

## Core Technical Skills

### DeFi Backend Engineering

  • -
    Money Market Protocols
  • -
    Lending/Borrowing Logic
  • -
    Interest Rate Models
  • -
    Liquidation Systems
  • -
    Non-Custodial Architecture

### High-Performance Blockchains

  • -
    Solana (Anchor/Rust)
  • -
    CosmWasm
  • -
    Parallel Execution
  • -
    Account-Level Parallelism
  • -
    Compute Unit Optimization

### Backend Architecture

  • -
    Microservices
  • -
    FastAPI/Node.js
  • -
    WebSocket APIs
  • -
    Real-time Processing
  • -
    Event-Driven Systems

### Database & Performance

  • -
    PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB
  • -
    Redis Caching
  • -
    Query Optimization
  • -
    5K+ msg/sec
  • -
    <250ms Latency

### DeFi Integration

  • -
    Smart Contract Integration
  • -
    Oracle Systems
  • -
    Multi-Asset Support
  • -
    Cross-Chain Bridges
  • -
    Security Monitoring

### Remote Leadership

  • -
    Distributed Teams
  • -
    Agile/Remote Workflows
  • -
    CI/CD Pipelines
  • -
    Code Review
  • -
    Technical Mentoring

## Professional Experience

### Co-Founder & Lead Backend Engineer

MAS HUB

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (100% Remote-Capable)

Apr 2025–Present
  • -Architected backend infrastructure for Web3 data interoperability platform, processing 100K+ daily transactions with 35% cost reduction via Optimism layer-2 integration.
  • -Built microservices architecture using Node.js/TypeScript with real-time WebSocket APIs, achieving 99.9% uptime and sub-200ms response times.
  • -Led distributed team of 10 engineers across APAC/Europe, implementing agile workflows and CI/CD pipelines for rapid DeFi protocol deployment.
  • -Designed gas-efficient smart contract integration layer, reducing transaction costs by 35% through optimized batch processing and state management.
  • -Developed Mas-Hub SDK (npmjs.com/package/@mashub/sdk) adopted by 500+ developers, featuring comprehensive DeFi protocol abstractions.

### Senior DeFi Backend Developer

OQueQuant

Phuket, Thailand (Hybrid/Remote)

2021–Apr 2025
  • -Built compound-leverage yield optimizer on Solana with non-custodial architecture, achieving $250K+ TVL in production simulations.
  • -Implemented lending/borrowing logic with jump rate curves, health factor monitoring, and automated liquidation systems using Anchor framework.
  • -Developed real-time risk management backend processing 5,000+ messages/second with Redis caching and PostgreSQL optimization.
  • -Created ML-driven interest rate models improving protocol efficiency by 20% through dynamic utilization-based calculations.
  • -Integrated oracle systems with circuit breakers and sanity checks, ensuring 99.9% data accuracy for price feeds and liquidation triggers.

### Senior Blockchain Backend Engineer

Fren AI

Phuket, Thailand (Hybrid)

2020–2021
  • -Architected backend infrastructure for AI-powered DeFi chatbot, integrating multiple lending protocols and AMM systems.
  • -Built event-driven microservices for real-time position tracking, health factor calculations, and automated rebalancing with <250ms latency.
  • -Implemented multi-asset vault backend with cross-chain bridge monitoring (Wormhole/Axelar) and automated token metadata normalization.
  • -Deployed Certik-audited smart contract integration layer, reducing transaction costs by 25% through optimized batch operations.

### DeFi Protocol Backend Lead

JAR - Just A Rock

Vancouver, Canada (100% Remote)

2019–2020
  • -Developed backend systems for Solana-based reflection token with automated USDC reward distribution, achieving $2M+ liquidity pools.
  • -Built non-custodial staking backend using Anchor framework, processing $500K TVL with 99.9% uptime and zero security incidents.
  • -Implemented real-time analytics API for token holders, featuring WebSocket connections and TimescaleDB for historical data queries.
  • -Created automated market-making backend with dynamic pricing algorithms and slippage protection mechanisms.

### Quantitative Trading Lead

Nexus Fund

Singapore (Hybrid)

2019–2020
  • -Led a 5-person team to build HFT arbitrage systems for crypto and forex.
  • -Reduced latency by 40%, achieving a 1.8 Sharpe ratio on $10M AUM portfolios.
  • -Delivered 20% annualized returns through multi-asset strategies (BTC, SPX futures).

### Senior Quant Developer

TribalDeFi Labs

Bali (Remote)

2018–2019
  • -Built a cross-DEX trading bot with 12% monthly ROI.
  • -Authored Solidity smart contracts for market-making, handling $1M+ daily volume.
  • -Integrated ML-driven signals for optimized trade execution.

### Quant Analyst & Trader

Flux Ventures

Bangkok (Hybrid)

2017–2018
  • -Developed a mean-reversion algorithm, achieving 30% annualized returns.
  • -Built an NLP sentiment pipeline using Twitter data, improving accuracy by 15%.

### Foreign Exchange Trader

JULONG GROUP INDONESIA

Jakarta

2016–2017
  • -Executed Python-based HFT strategies on MetaTrader, reducing slippage by 20%.
  • -Built custom indicators, enhancing trade precision by 10%.

### Forex Algorithmic Trading Developer

StratFX Pro

Singapore

2014–2016
  • -Developed low-latency forex strategies, reducing slippage by 25%.
  • -Built a backtesting engine with tick-data replay, improving accuracy by 18%.

### Senior Forex Technical Analyst

Monsoon Capital

Kuala Lumpur

2012–2014
  • -Predicted support/resistance with 85% accuracy for institutional clients.
  • -Designed adaptive RSI indicators for MT4, adopted by 50+ traders.

### Junior Forex Trader

P.T Solawatul Alim Group

Jakarta

2010–2012
  • -Achieved 15% annual returns on a $500K demo portfolio via price-action trades.
  • -Built a Python-based volatility scanner, reducing losses by 10%.

### Human Resources Manager

Darman Employment

Singapore

2008–2010
  • -Led recruitment for 150+ foreign talents in offshore operations.
  • -Designed cross-cultural training, reducing attrition by 30%.
  • -Negotiated contracts with Shell and Maersk, improving margins by 22%.

### Sales & Account Executive

Dairy Farm Group

Singapore

2007–2008
  • -Achieved 115% of sales targets via Salesforce CRM optimization.
  • -Streamlined B2B account management, boosting retention by 15%.

### Audio Engineer/Producer

Harmoni Studios

Kuala Lumpur (Part-time)

2005–2007
  • -Produced 20+ tracks using Pro Tools/Logic Pro, pioneering DAW workflows.
  • -Improved live session efficiency by 20%.

## Key DeFi Backend Projects

### DeFi Compound-Leverage Yield Optimizer

Built a non-custodial leveraged vault on Solana with compound interest calculations, liquidation logic, and health factor monitoring. Achieved $250K+ TVL in simulations.

Rust
Anchor
Solana
DeFi Protocols
Smart Contracts

### FluxAMM Strategy Engine

Developed dynamic AMM strategies addressing MEV and LVR with real-time interest rate modeling and collateral risk assessment for money market protocols.

Python
DeFi
AMM
Risk Modeling
Interest Rate Curves

### Multi-Chain Arbitrage Backend

Built microservices architecture handling 5,000+ msg/sec across 200+ token pairs with <250ms latency. Integrated with KuCoin, Binance, and multiple DEXs.

Python
FastAPI
WebSockets
Redis
PostgreSQL

### Non-Custodial Lending Protocol

Architected backend systems for lending/borrowing with jump rate curves, liquidation bots, and oracle integration. Implemented circuit breakers and security monitoring.

Node.js
TypeScript
Smart Contracts
Oracle Integration

### Real-Time DeFi Analytics API

Created REST and WebSocket APIs for position tracking, health factors, and LTV calculations with JWT security, rate limiting, and TimescaleDB optimization.

FastAPI
WebSockets
TimescaleDB
Redis
JWT

## Education

### MSc in Statistics

Universiti Sains Malaysia

2023–2025 (Expected)
  • -CGPA: 3.75/4.00 (With Distinction)
  • -Thesis: Statistical arbitrage system using Markov regime-switching for crypto markets
  • -Relevant Coursework: Time Series Analysis, Computational Finance, Machine Learning, Risk Modeling

### BSc Economics (Honors)

London School of Economics, UK

2005–2007
  • -Focus: Quantitative Methods, Financial Markets, Econometrics

### AI & Machine Learning Certificate

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

2020–2021
  • -Specialized: Neural Networks, NLP, Reinforcement Learning (TensorFlow/PyTorch)

## Technical Certifications

### Full-Stack Development (Backend Focus)

NEXT Academy

2018–2020

Specialized in backend architecture, API design, and database optimization

### Diploma in Computer Engineering

Management and Science University

2014–2016

Focus on systems programming, network architecture, and performance optimization

## Languages

Fluent

  • -English (Native-level)
  • -Bahasa Melayu (Native)

Conversational

  • -Mandarin Chinese
  • -Thai