In a society increasingly defined by technological innovation and globalisation, financial inclusion remains an objective for individuals and businesses around the world. However, Black Banx CEO Michael Gastauer, a leading entrepreneur in the financial technology industry, provides services and opportunities to directly combat the problem. His comprehensive knowledge and years of experience provides an unfaltering strategy to bridge the economic gap, emphasising the importance of accessibility for financial development and individual success.
Who is Michael Gastauer?
Michael Gastauer is a German billionaire and entrepreneur. Named as Germany’s youngest billionaire and among the country’s top ten richest, the fintech mogul has an impressive net worth of $11.4 billion. After finishing his studies at university in 1999, Gastauer was offered positions with Deutsche Bank, ABN Amro, and Andersen Consulting, among others. He began his career at Gorilla Park, a start-up incubator that helps firms grow to the point of going public. The Munich-based corporation invited Gastauer to open up an office in Zurich, Switzerland.
Gastauer and three other partners launched an asset management firm in Zurich in 2001. Within three years, the company was partially sold to a German hedge fund manager and then sold for US$15 million (CHF 16 million) to a Swiss investment group.
Gastauer decided in 2003 to develop a payment solution for e-commerce and other internet-based sectors by providing a global platform for taking card payments. Being one of the first in Europe to serve fast-growing high-risk internet businesses such as gambling and adult, the company expanded rapidly. After expanding its activities and creating offices in North America and Asia, the company was valued at $480 million before being sold to an Asian banking group in 2008. After selling his firm, Gastauer formed GFO (Gastauer Family Office), where he has been president since 2008.
Black Banx
Having experienced for several years the flaws of cross border banking, account opening in foreign countries and international wire transfers, Gastauer decided in mid 2013, to create an online banking solution to revolutionise the traditional banking industry. Named Black Banx, the digital bank launched in 2015 with 200,000 customers. Since then, Black Banx has gained over 39 million customers and revenues of $2.3 billion, an impressive set of data for a decade old business.
Black Banx has an easy signup process, with customers connected in minutes as long as they can provide a photo ID. Prospective clients aren’t turned away based on paperwork or income levels, nor where they are. Access to the internet is all needed to maintain a Black Banx account.
Black Banx’s Offerings:
- Accounts in 28 FIAT and 2 cryptocurrencies
- Accepting Private and Business clients from 180 countries
- International and inter-platform instant payments in multiple currencies
- Multi-Currency Debit Card options (including plastic, metal, and virtual)
- Real-time currency exchange and crypto trading services
- Unrestricted payouts to third parties and crypto withdrawals to external wallets
- Interest-bearing savings accounts in multiple major currencies
- Solutions like batch upload or API for bulk payments for business customers
Financial Inclusion
Gastauer’s dedication to financial inclusion is clear. He intends to deliver crucial financial tools to the unbanked through fintech solutions, bridging the gap between them and traditional banking and leading to expanded economic opportunities, particularly in places with limited banking access.
The Black Banx strategy goes beyond just providing access to financial services; it highlights the need for financial knowledge and education. Understanding how to manage money, save, invest, and negotiate the intricacies of financial products is critical to full financial inclusion. Black Banx promotes money management in underbanked populations. Individuals may achieve all of this with the Black Banx smartphone app. Individuals who are more financially literate can make better judgments, which boosts local economies.
Gastauer’s strategy is based on the use of technology to provide financial services to underserved and unbanked groups. This emphasises the importance of mobile banking in overcoming geographical boundaries and lowering the cost of delivering financial services.
Gastauer’s concept for financial inclusion is likely to extend with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to develop more customised financial services. These technologies may aid in recognising the particular requirements and financial habits of individuals in underprivileged groups, providing individualised financial advice.
Gastauer aims to provide unbanked individuals access to vital financial tools and resources by utilising fintech solutions. This will bridge the gap between unbanked individuals and traditional banking systems. His activities have set the path for greater financial empowerment and economic prospects, particularly in regions with limited access to conventional banking services. In particular, his initiatives have paved the way for better economic opportunities in regional areas.
Black Banx’s campaign for financial inclusion not only illustrates fintech’s ability to provide worldwide access to financial services, but it also emphasises the significance of financial literacy and supporting regulatory frameworks in attaining real financial inclusion. In doing so, it offers out the prospect of a more inclusive global economy in which financial institutions are available to all.
Read More From Techbullion
