The Munich-based startup Tangany aims to make blockchain as easy to use as a search engine. To achieve this, the startup has developed a solution that can receive, store, or transfer large amounts of cryptocurrencies in a secure offline repository. This secure blockchain wallet can be used by any company that handles financial transactions. Tangany co-founder Martin Kreitmair in an interview.
1. Who are you and what do you do?
We are Tangany and provide a custody blockchain infrastructure for companies. This sounds very technical at first, but ultimately it is a system that helps companies Blockchain to work. Regardless of whether it's a public blockchain like Ethereum and Bitcoin or a private blockchain like Quorum and others, our product is complemented by a regulatory component to ensure compliance with applicable law. This makes us virtually the only provider on the market.
Tangany wants to make Germany a blockchain pioneer
Tangany was founded by Christopher Zapf (32), Alexey Utin (33), and me, Martin Kreitmair (33). We've been working together since 2011 and complement each other perfectly in our expertise. In 2017, we decided to leave our old ways and embark on a new adventure. Alexey is our computer science specialist, while Christopher and I are business information technology specialists.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
A custody infrastructure for blockchain in this form doesn't yet exist. At our core, we offer programmable blockchain wallets that are secured and regulated according to the highest security standards. The product can be integrated into and used in virtually any system. This is unique.
The German blockchain strategy is coming in 2020
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
For a long time, the topic of blockchain—especially in 2018—had a bitter aftertaste for many people. Especially after Bitcoin's boom and rapid crash, the topic of blockchain had negative connotations for a while. During this time, we had a difficult time explaining our product, and many discussions were not technical or professional, but often had a financially speculative slant. Fortunately, this has now completely subsided. Even politicians have become aware of the topic of blockchain and are giving it a major push. Our federal government's blockchain strategy will soon be published.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
We launched our core product, 'Wallet as a Service,' in April 2019. Several customers are now running it, and we're receiving very positive feedback. This is certainly pleasing, as we've invested a lot of effort into the simplicity of our technology. We expect continued steady growth for the remainder of the year and hope to accelerate in 2020. Several important events are coming up in 2020, such as new EU-wide regulation on blockchains.
Munich has a closely interlinked blockchain scene
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich is our home, and we see a growing blockchain community here. Munich may not be as hip as Berlin, but we have many strong economic players and a closely integrated blockchain scene here. We are convinced that our product is exactly right in Munich.
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
By making blockchain successful! As I said, we are an infrastructure solutionthat can add value in almost any use case. Roughly speaking, we're what a browser is to websites. If blockchain continues to grow as it has in recent years, we're very confident about our future.
7. Pork knuckle or fish on a stick?
Definitely fish on a stick.
