Bitwala - Revision history

NotATether: Expand history; note Nuri wind-down and 2023 Striga relaunch

2026-09-22T16:43:56Z

Expand history; note Nuri wind-down and 2023 Striga relaunch

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 22 September 2026
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	~~<h1>Introduction<~~/~~h1>~~		{{infobox company
			\| name = Bitwala
			\| industry = Crypto payments / neobank-style banking interface
			\| foundation = October 2015
			\| founder = Jörg von Minckwitz, Jan Goslicki, Benjamin P. Jones
			\| location = Berlin, Germany
			\| website = https://www.bitwala.com/
			}}

	Bitwala is a ~~global blockchain~~-~~based payment service provider headquartered in Berlin~~, ~~Germany~~. ~~Bitwala empowers people to make international transfers using Bitcoin faster~~, ~~cheaper~~ and ~~more user-friendly~~. ~~One of its core missions is to enable anyone to live exclusively on Bitcoin comfortably~~ in ~~an era where Bitcoin acceptance still has much room for growth~~.		'''Bitwala''' is a Berlin-origin crypto payments brand that has operated under the Bitwala name, rebranded to Nuri, wound down Nuri's banking product after insolvency proceedings, and later relaunched again as Bitwala with Striga infrastructure. Founders Jörg von Minckwitz, Jan Goslicki, and Benjamin P. Jones launched the company in October 2015. Early products included SEPA and SWIFT fiat payouts funded by bitcoin or altcoins, a Visa-linked debit card programme, and later wallet and mobile apps.

	~~Founded by Jörg von Minckwitz, Jan Goslicki~~, ~~and Benjamin P. Jones in October 2015. According~~ to ~~Wired~~, ~~in stark contrast to conventional money transfer services like the Western Union, Money Gram, and even Transferwise, the German startup utilizes digital currency to offer~~ a ~~faster and cheaper solution. Von Minckwitz, Goslicki~~, and ~~Jones are long~~-~~time co~~-~~partners, having founded other blockchain businesses before Bitwala such as All4btc~~.~~com and Transistor Coworking~~, ~~Germany’s largest fintech coworking space~~.		== Early products ==
			Early products included bitcoin-funded international transfers into local bank accounts, EmailPay payouts to e-mail recipients, a prepaid Visa debit card issued through Wave Crest Holdings under a Visa Europe licence arrangement, and HD multi-signature wallet features with two-factor authentication. In March 2016 the company raised a seed round of about US$910,000 led by High-Tech Gründerfonds with participation from Digital Currency Group.

	~~Bitwala enables SEPA~~ and ~~SWIFT money transfers by exchanging Bitcoin ()or Altcoins~~ to ~~over 20 fiat currencies to any~~ bank account ~~in over 200 countries worldwide. Bitwala offers Bitcoin Visa debit cards and also operates as a~~ bitcoin ~~wallet service to store, send~~ and ~~receive Bitcoin~~. <br/~~><br~~/>		== Nuri rebrand and wind-down ==
			Before May 2021 the company rebranded to Nuri, offering a bank-account-style product combined with bitcoin and ether wallets.<ref name="decrypt">[https://decrypt.co/112359/berlin-bitcoin-neobank-nuri-shutters-business-warns-clients-withdraw-funds Decrypt, 19 October 2022: Berlin Bitcoin Neobank Nuri Shutters Business, Warns Clients to Withdraw Funds]</ref>
	~~<h1>Funding<~~/~~h1>~~
	~~Bitwala announced a US$910~~,~~000 Seed funding in March 2016. The round was led by Germany’s largest venture capital investment firm High Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF)~~, with the participation of New York-based Digital Currency Group (DCG). HTGF Manager Chiara Sommer said that HTGF invested in Bitwala because “Bitwala will be the first truly international bank account which allows people from all over the world to ~~send and receive money in various currencies at marginal fees and in real-time”.<br/>~~<br/>

	~~<h1>Benefits</h1>~~		Nuri filed for insolvency in August 2022 after workforce reductions during the crypto market downturn, worked with insolvency administrators on restructuring, and failed to find investors or an acquirer. CEO Kristina Walcker-Mayer stated that customers should withdraw funds by 18 December 2022 so the business could be terminated and liquidated.<ref name="decrypt" />
	~~The exchange rate that Bitwala uses is~~ the ~~current~~ market ~~average from multiple exchanges. Bitwala passes the exchange rates directly~~ to ~~its customers without any changes~~ or ~~hidden fees~~. ~~The product and services~~ that ~~Bitwala offers bridges~~ the ~~use of Bitcoin~~ and ~~other cryptocurrencies to everyday use~~. Bitwala enables Bitcoin and Altcoins as means to pay and issue money transfers without the need of dealing with traditional banking. Affordability and speed are the two key benefits when it comes to Bitwala as it offers over 20 currencies to be sent to 200 countries at a low, flat fee.<br/><br/>

	~~<h1>Products~~ and ~~Services</h1>~~		== 2023 Bitwala relaunch ==
	~~<h2>Bitcoin to fiat currency money transfers</h2>~~		On 8 November 2023 Bitwala relaunched with Striga providing compliant digital-asset and banking infrastructure, so Bitwala did not need to carry the full regulatory burden of building that stack itself. The company said the Bitwala app was live in 29 countries in the European Economic Area for bitcoin and ether exchanged to euro and sent by SEPA transfer, and listed Lightning Network and crypto-backed Visa debit card support among planned development goals.<ref name="striga">[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/striga-powers-bitwalas-comeback-to-european-crypto-301975975.html PR Newswire, 8 November 2023: Striga Powers Bitwala's Comeback to European Crypto]</ref>
	Bitwala ~~has two core products: a Bitcoin~~ to ~~SEPA and SWIFT money transfers and Bitcoin debit cards powered by Visa~~. Bitwala ~~offers international money transfers~~ in ~~20 local currencies to over 120~~ countries~~. By issuing~~ bitcoin ~~invoices, customers pay the invoice using Bitcoin or any alternative cryptocurrencies~~ and ~~Bitwala converts these funds~~ and ~~issues a bank~~ transfer on behalf of its customers. In October 2016, Bitwala announced its support for 9 new local currencies, making money transfers using Bitcoin to Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, and ~~Vietnam possible~~ and ~~received in the respective local currency for a low 0~~.~~5% fee~~.

	[~~https://www.bitwala.com/transfers/ Bitwala international money transfers~~]~~<br/>~~		== See also ==
	~~<h2>EmailPay</h2>~~		* [[Buying bitcoins]]
	Bitwala introduced EmailPay in 2015, a feature which allows its customers to send money using Bitcoin to any email without needing to know the receiving bank account details. Bitwala supports 11 payout currencies for its EmailPay feature, which are Euro (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), US Dollar (USD), Swedish Krona (SEK), Hungarian Forint (HUF), Norwegian Krone (NOK), Croatian Kuna (HRK), Swiss Franc (CHF), Czech Republic Koruna (CZK), Danish Krone (DKK), and Polish Zloty (PLN).<br/>		* [[Companies]]
			* [[ShapeShift]]

	[https://www.bitwala.io/~~introducing~~-~~email~~-~~pay~~-~~send~~-~~money~~-to-~~any~~-~~email/ Bitwala EmailPay~~]~~<br~~/>		== External links ==
	~~<h2>Bitcoin debit card<~~/~~h2>~~		* [https://www.bitwala.com/ Bitwala]
	~~In December 2015, Bitwala introduced their Bitcoin debit card that is still the most affordable Bitcoin card on the market today~~. ~~Powered by Visa, the Bitwala Bitcoin debit card allows customers to use Bitcoin to make POS and online payments and cash out at any ATM for a low and fixed fee~~. ~~The Bitcoin debit cards are issued by Wave Crest Holdings Limited pursuant~~ to ~~a license from Visa Europe~~.		* [https://decrypt.co/112359/berlin-bitcoin-neobank-nuri-shutters-business-warns-clients-withdraw-funds Decrypt Nuri wind-down report]
			* [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/striga-powers-bitwalas-comeback-to-european-crypto-301975975.html Striga / Bitwala PR (8 November 2023)]

	~~[https://www.bitwala.com/card/ Bitwala Visa prepaid debit cards]<br/>~~		== References ==
	<~~h2>Bitcoin wallet<~~/h2>		<references />
	In August 2016, Bitwala launched a highly secure mobile and web wallet for Android and iOs. The wallet features HD, multi-signature technology along with Two-Factor for an extra layer of security. This enables transactions to be signed on its customer's devices, ensuring the company no access and customers absolute control over funds in the wallet.

	[~~https~~:~~//www.bitwala.com/wallet/ Bitwala Bitcoin wallet~~]~~<br/>~~		[[Category:Companies]]
	~~<h2>Mobile app</h2>~~		[[Category:Services]]
	In addition to their Bitcoin solutions offerings, Bitwala also released their Android app in November 2016, followed by the release of the iOS app in 2017. Both of Bitwala’s mobile apps are feature-packed with multi-level security and 4-digit PIN access.		[[Category:Financial]]

	[~~https~~:~~//play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=la.bitwa.bitwala&hl=en Android app.~~] [~~https~~:~~//itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bitwala/id1114481262?mt=8 iOS app.~~]
	~~<h2>Altcoin acceptance</h2>~~
	The service for alternative crypto currencies or often dubbed Altcoins is powered by a partnership with ShapeShift in July 2016 and has meant that Bitwala customers are able to send money and top up their Bitcoin debit card using Altcoins.
	~~Awards<br/>~~
	~~<h3>2016</h3>~~
	* Bitwala was runner up for Best Fintech Startup at the 2016 Pioneers Festival.
	~~<h3>2017</h3>~~
	* Best Blockchain Startup at the Paris Fintech Forum 2017
	* Best Finance Startup at Fintech.Pioneers 2017
	* Best Fintech Startup at 2017 Pioneers Festival in Vienna, Austria
	* First place Future FinTech Star Award at ICT Spring 2017 in Luxembourg
	* Third place for the startup category at the 2017 Der Deutsche Innovationspreis

Bitwala2016: Created page with "

Introduction

Bitwala is a global blockchain-based payment service provider headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Bitwala empowers people to make international transfers..."

2017-07-17T15:48:53Z

Created page with "<h1>Introduction</h1> Bitwala is a global blockchain-based payment service provider headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Bitwala empowers people to make international transfers..."

New page

<h1>Introduction</h1>

Bitwala is a global blockchain-based payment service provider headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Bitwala empowers people to make international transfers using Bitcoin faster, cheaper and more user-friendly. One of its core missions is to enable anyone to live exclusively on Bitcoin comfortably in an era where Bitcoin acceptance still has much room for growth.

Founded by Jörg von Minckwitz, Jan Goslicki, and Benjamin P. Jones in October 2015. According to Wired, in stark contrast to conventional money transfer services like the Western Union, Money Gram, and even Transferwise, the German startup utilizes digital currency to offer a faster and cheaper solution. Von Minckwitz, Goslicki, and Jones are long-time co-partners, having founded other blockchain businesses before Bitwala such as All4btc.com and Transistor Coworking, Germany’s largest fintech coworking space.

Bitwala enables SEPA and SWIFT money transfers by exchanging Bitcoin ()or Altcoins to over 20 fiat currencies to any bank account in over 200 countries worldwide. Bitwala offers Bitcoin Visa debit cards and also operates as a bitcoin wallet service to store, send and receive Bitcoin. <br/><br/>

<h1>Funding</h1>
Bitwala announced a US$910,000 Seed funding in March 2016. The round was led by Germany’s largest venture capital investment firm High Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with the participation of New York-based Digital Currency Group (DCG). HTGF Manager Chiara Sommer said that HTGF invested in Bitwala because “Bitwala will be the first truly international bank account which allows people from all over the world to send and receive money in various currencies at marginal fees and in real-time”.<br/><br/>

<h1>Benefits</h1>
The exchange rate that Bitwala uses is the current market average from multiple exchanges. Bitwala passes the exchange rates directly to its customers without any changes or hidden fees. The product and services that Bitwala offers bridges the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to everyday use. Bitwala enables Bitcoin and Altcoins as means to pay and issue money transfers without the need of dealing with traditional banking. Affordability and speed are the two key benefits when it comes to Bitwala as it offers over 20 currencies to be sent to 200 countries at a low, flat fee.<br/><br/>

<h1>Products and Services</h1>
<h2>Bitcoin to fiat currency money transfers</h2>
Bitwala has two core products: a Bitcoin to SEPA and SWIFT money transfers and Bitcoin debit cards powered by Visa. Bitwala offers international money transfers in 20 local currencies to over 120 countries. By issuing bitcoin invoices, customers pay the invoice using Bitcoin or any alternative cryptocurrencies and Bitwala converts these funds and issues a bank transfer on behalf of its customers. In October 2016, Bitwala announced its support for 9 new local currencies, making money transfers using Bitcoin to Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam possible and received in the respective local currency for a low 0.5% fee.

[https://www.bitwala.com/transfers/ Bitwala international money transfers]<br/>
<h2>EmailPay</h2>
Bitwala introduced EmailPay in 2015, a feature which allows its customers to send money using Bitcoin to any email without needing to know the receiving bank account details. Bitwala supports 11 payout currencies for its EmailPay feature, which are Euro (EUR), British Pounds (GBP), US Dollar (USD), Swedish Krona (SEK), Hungarian Forint (HUF), Norwegian Krone (NOK), Croatian Kuna (HRK), Swiss Franc (CHF), Czech Republic Koruna (CZK), Danish Krone (DKK), and Polish Zloty (PLN).<br/>

[https://www.bitwala.io/introducing-email-pay-send-money-to-any-email/ Bitwala EmailPay]<br/>
<h2>Bitcoin debit card</h2>
In December 2015, Bitwala introduced their Bitcoin debit card that is still the most affordable Bitcoin card on the market today. Powered by Visa, the Bitwala Bitcoin debit card allows customers to use Bitcoin to make POS and online payments and cash out at any ATM for a low and fixed fee. The Bitcoin debit cards are issued by Wave Crest Holdings Limited pursuant to a license from Visa Europe.

[https://www.bitwala.com/card/ Bitwala Visa prepaid debit cards]<br/>
<h2>Bitcoin wallet</h2>
In August 2016, Bitwala launched a highly secure mobile and web wallet for Android and iOs. The wallet features HD, multi-signature technology along with Two-Factor for an extra layer of security. This enables transactions to be signed on its customer's devices, ensuring the company no access and customers absolute control over funds in the wallet.

[https://www.bitwala.com/wallet/ Bitwala Bitcoin wallet]<br/>
<h2>Mobile app</h2>
In addition to their Bitcoin solutions offerings, Bitwala also released their Android app in November 2016, followed by the release of the iOS app in 2017. Both of Bitwala’s mobile apps are feature-packed with multi-level security and 4-digit PIN access.

[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=la.bitwa.bitwala&hl=en Android app.] [https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/bitwala/id1114481262?mt=8 iOS app.]
<h2>Altcoin acceptance</h2>
The service for alternative crypto currencies or often dubbed Altcoins is powered by a partnership with ShapeShift in July 2016 and has meant that Bitwala customers are able to send money and top up their Bitcoin debit card using Altcoins.
Awards<br/>
<h3>2016</h3>
* Bitwala was runner up for Best Fintech Startup at the 2016 Pioneers Festival.
<h3>2017</h3>
* Best Blockchain Startup at the Paris Fintech Forum 2017
* Best Finance Startup at Fintech.Pioneers 2017
* Best Fintech Startup at 2017 Pioneers Festival in Vienna, Austria
* First place Future FinTech Star Award at ICT Spring 2017 in Luxembourg
* Third place for the startup category at the 2017 Der Deutsche Innovationspreis