About
The Bitwala Story
The Bitwala Story
Our Vision
We want to empower people to exchange value like they exchange ideas. Globally, instantly and at the lowest possible cost.
Company values
We’re a young, smart and internationally-minded team united by the same values.
Live the revolution
Blockchain technology is going to change the world. We’re the catalyst. Be part of the community
Not another bank
Trust and responsibility without old-fashioned thinking.
Adapt
When our first product was destroyed, we came back stronger than ever.
Mind your karma
Be the best you can be and help your colleagues do the same. Lead by example.
The best idea wins
Value ideas over hierarchy. Listen, learn and speak your mind.
Aim for the moon
Well-funded, our team doubled in size within 6 months. Here’s a little secret: we’re going to be huge.
Our journey so far…
2013 - Humble beginnings
Bitwala started off as three friends and a dog with a simple idea for paying for everyday items with bitcoin. Back then, Bitcoin had enormous potential and nobody was using it.
2015 - Building the revolution
Bitwala is bootstrapped and launches an MVP at the start of 2015. The first product is a bank transfer for cryptocurrencies with a prepaid debit card.
2016 - The fundraising
Bitwala raises its first funding round of €800,000 from HTGF, DCG and an angel investor. Fast-forward to the opening of a bright office-space in Kreuzberg, the hiring of several employees, and a product that processes 75 million euro in transfers.
2018 - Disaster strikes!
Wavecrest, Bitwala’s partner bank shuts down and forces Bitwala to cease operations. This kind of setback doesn’t phase the team but it’s back to the drawing board.
2018 - The rebirth
Bitwala makes the comeback of the century! A new idea spawns from the ashes - the blockchain economy is going to need a bank. With an additional €4 mil. investment secured from renowned investors Earybird and Coparion, Bitwala proudly launch the world’s first cryptocurrency bank account.
Today & The future
As a growing team of 43, the Bitwala team are hard at work launching more features, currencies and partnerships to the roadmap, as well as continuing the mission of fully integrating cryptocurrencies with the financial world.
We’ve built the world‘s first account, which offers our customers a regular bank account, bitcoin wallet and trading, all in one platform.
Meet the pioneers
Ben Jones
Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder
Ben Jones
Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder
Ben is a self-taught programer with over 5 years of experience in blockchain and cryptocurrencies. A London School of Economics graduate, Ben previously taught programming in Ghana, founded a web agency for early-stage startups, and was an economist in the UK civil service.
Jan Goslicki
Chief Compliance Officer and Co-founder
Jan Goslicki
Chief Compliance Officer and Co-founder
Jan studied economics and has over 5 years of crypto and blockchain experience under his belt. Before founding Bitwala with Jörg and Ben, he worked at PwC. Jan handles compliance, customer success and finances together with our CFO.
Christoph Iwaniez
Chief Financial Officer
Christoph Iwaniez
Chief Financial Officer
Christoph was previously the CFO of GIZS which connects the German Sparkassen Group to the paydirekt payment scheme and before that 10 years at Landesbank Baden-Württemberg (LBBW), one of Germanys biggest banking groups.
Philipp Beer
Chief Growth Officer
Philipp Beer
Chief Growth Officer
Philipp has over 8 years experience at Google, where he managed and lead marketing and sales across various product areas, including Google Enterprise and Hardware. He holds degrees from ESADE Business School, Wharton Business School, University of Sydney, European Business School. Since falling into the blockchain ‘rabbit hole’ several years ago, Philipp has been an active member, advisor and investor in the space.
Jörg von Minckwitz
Co-founder
Jörg von Minckwitz
Co-founder
Jörg previously founded Europe’s first crypto consulting, crypto incubator and first cryptocurrency e-commerce shop. His work has been awarded by the Paris Fintech Forum, ICT Spring, Pioneers Festival and The German Innovations Prize.
Backed by
Established investors
Established investors
