{"id":"nicolas-burtey","title":"Nicolas Burtey","content":"**Nicolas Burtey** is a technology entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of [Galoy](https://iq.wiki/wiki/galoy), a company that develops open-source [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) banking infrastructure. He is known for his work in driving [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) adoption by providing enterprise-grade tools that enable communities, companies, and governments to build financial services on the [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) and [Lightning Network](https://iq.wiki/wiki/lightning-network). His work with [Galoy](https://iq.wiki/wiki/galoy) includes the development of the Blink wallet, formerly the [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) Beach Wallet, which is a widely used custodial wallet designed to support the growth of circular economies. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-Og3aeU5Cwa) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-NZRc5gtupt)​\n\n### Education\n\nBurtey studied Mathematics and Computer Science at the Université de Franche-Comté (Université de Besançon) from 2001 to 2004, where he obtained a Licence, an undergraduate degree equivalent to a Bachelor's degree. Following this, he attended the École nationale supérieure Louis-Lumière in Paris from 2004 to 2007, earning a Master's degree in Cinematography and Film/Video Production, which provided him with a foundation in managing complex technical systems. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-NZRc5gtupt)​\n\n### Career\n\nBurtey began his career working as a freelance software engineer from 2007 to 2011, developing his technical skills across a variety of projects. In January 2012, he founded Orah (originally named VideoStitch), a venture-backed company that developed software and hardware for creating and streaming 360-degree VR video content. He led the company as founder and CEO for over six years. In May 2018, Burtey transitioned into the blockchain industry by co-founding [Harmony](https://iq.wiki/wiki/harmony), a sharding-based protocol focused on scalability and decentralization. He was part of the founding team until late 2019.\n\nIn November 2019, Burtey founded [Galoy](https://iq.wiki/wiki/galoy) to focus exclusively on building open-source, enterprise-grade [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) banking software. As CEO, he has overseen the development of the company's core platform, which is designed to help organizations launch financial products on [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin). [Galoy](https://iq.wiki/wiki/galoy) is the developer behind the Blink wallet, which was initially launched in 2020 as the [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) Beach Wallet to support the circular economy in El Zonte, El Salvador. This project gained international recognition and served as a proof-of-concept for community-based [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) adoption. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-NZRc5gtupt)​\n\n## Interviews\n\n### Bitcoin Banks\n\nIn a February 2025 interview on the Stephan Livera Podcast, Burtey discussed his journey with [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) since 2019, including his work on the Bitcoin Beach wallet and efforts to promote adoption in El Salvador. He described the evolution of [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) banking, noting a shift from individual self-custody toward custodial solutions as many users find self-custody complex. Burtey explained the concept of [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) banks, which allow users to create banking solutions without central permission, and addressed regulatory challenges that impact both [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin)-focused and traditional banks integrating [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) services. He highlighted the growing interest among banks in offering custody and lending services, the importance of proof-of-reserve models for transparency, and the ongoing effects of El Salvador’s repeal of [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) as legal tender. Burtey concluded by expressing optimism for the continued development of [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) adoption in the region and invited listeners to engage on topics related to [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin)-backed lending. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-N8zOF3y5eM)​\n\n### Bitcoin Future\n\nIn an August 2025 interview on the *All In Bitcoin With CK* podcast, Burtey discussed [Bitcoin’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) potential to disrupt financial systems over the next five to ten years, particularly noting slower adoption in Europe compared to regions like El Salvador. He described the challenges of building a company in the [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) space, including limited funding and support, and contrasted European skepticism with optimism in countries actively adopting [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin). Burtey highlighted lessons from *The Sovereign Individual*, emphasized [Bitcoin’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) ongoing viability as a medium of exchange, and discussed the role of [stablecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin) in facilitating early adoption for businesses. He addressed the impact of U.S. regulatory shifts on [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) adoption and detailed [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin)-backed loans, including [collateral](https://iq.wiki/wiki/collateral) management and associated risks. Burtey also introduced Lana, a software that enables banks to offer [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin)-backed lending products within regulatory frameworks, and reflected on the Adopting Bitcoin conference’s role in connecting entrepreneurs and fostering new collaborations in the ecosystem. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-uFQj38Fbr4)​\n\n## Presentations\n\n### Merchant Adoption\n\nIn April 2024 at Economia Bitcoin, Burtey spoke on “Beyond Merchant Adoption,” emphasizing that the success of a local [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) economy should be measured by active users rather than the number of merchants. He highlighted over 100 merchants in Berlin accepting [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) and discussed the importance of transaction frequency and money velocity. Burtey advised against converting [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) back to fiat to strengthen circular economies and instead promoted [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin)-native solutions and tools, such as [stablecoins](https://iq.wiki/wiki/stablecoin), to manage volatility. He suggested incentivizing suppliers to accept [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin), shifting business perspectives from merely accepting [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) to preferring it, and introduced upcoming Blink Wallet features to support transactions and peer-to-peer selling, including segregated accounts, while engaging with attendees on the challenges of retaining [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) within the ecosystem. [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-OAHnAmBAoK)​\n\n### Bitcoin History\n\nAt Adopting Bitcoin 2024, Burtey opened the conference by reflecting on Ukraine’s significance and the broader journey of nation-building in the context of [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin). He discussed the development trajectory of countries moving from third- to first-world status, highlighting the challenges smaller nations face in achieving economic self-sufficiency and effective decision-making. Burtey emphasized the importance of workforce training to attract multinational investment, the need for countries to adapt to global economic pressures, and the role of efficient governance and market systems in supporting stability and growth. He also addressed opportunities to create integrated markets, promote open-source solutions that facilitate merchant transactions, and encourage [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) adoption, concluding by thanking sponsors and attendees. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-rXWkZrJjUC)​\n\n### Building Bitcoin Tools\n\nAt Adopting Bitcoin in November 2023, Burtey presented the Blink API, designed to facilitate [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) transactions for corporations and individuals and bridge traditional fiat banking with Bitcoin adoption. He highlighted a partnership with a major distributor in El Salvador. He outlined the API’s role in simplifying corporate [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) payments through familiar systems while ensuring reliability comparable to credit card transactions. Burtey emphasized the API's cost efficiency, its support for stable-set features to manage [Bitcoin’s](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) volatility, and the development of open-source tools that enable organizations to manage their own transactions securely. He also discussed the gradual adoption process for corporations —from initial API integration to full [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) system implementation —and concluded by encouraging attendees to explore the API and available support resources. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-28CAAmWrVG)​","summary":"Nicolas Burtey is a technology entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Galoy. He focuses on developing open-source Bitcoin banking infrastructure to drive adoption through tools like the Blink wallet and by supporting circular economies.","images":[{"id":"Qmec6Rasq8pGts6yibvwhoUgYusbxxpwmXWiZPUXik9QFc","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}],"categories":[{"id":"people","title":"people"}],"tags":[{"id":"Founders"},{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"},{"id":"Developers"},{"id":"Protocols"},{"id":"Organizations"}],"media":[{"id":"Qma4KTyR7vN1ri2cr4FzXw9Eo8WyqHSfPrsMTL6dt8vqVM","type":"GALLERY","source":"IPFS_IMG"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpn-W0fQ_6o","name":"Rpn-W0fQ_6o","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpn-W0fQ_6o","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7tSawPHwkY","name":"u7tSawPHwkY","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7tSawPHwkY","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4td-g7RHdwY","name":"4td-g7RHdwY","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4td-g7RHdwY","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBe2Vg7tgg","name":"EVBe2Vg7tgg","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBe2Vg7tgg","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_GEkQV1rO0","name":"7_GEkQV1rO0","caption":"","thumbnail":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_GEkQV1rO0","source":"YOUTUBE"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[\n  {\n    \"id\": \"Og3aeU5Cwa\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.galoy.io/\",\n    \"description\": \"Galoy official website\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1761689741105\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"NZRc5gtupt\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasburtey/?originalSubdomain=pt\",\n    \"description\": \"Nicolas Burtey's LinkedIn Profile\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1761689741105\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"N8zOF3y5eM\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpn-W0fQ\\\\_6o\",\n    \"description\": \"Presentation on the rise of Bitcoin banks\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1761689741105\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"28CAAmWrVG\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7\\\\_GEkQV1rO0\",\n    \"description\": \"Presentation on building a bank on Bitcoin\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1761689741105\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"uFQj38Fbr4\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7tSawPHwkY\",\n    \"description\": \"Podcast on how Bitcoin will disrupt the IMF\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1761689741105\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"OAHnAmBAoK\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4td-g7RHdwY\",\n    \"description\": \"Presentation on moving beyond merchant adoption\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1761689741105\n  },\n  {\n    \"id\": \"rXWkZrJjUC\",\n    \"url\": \"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBe2Vg7tgg\",\n    \"description\": \"Presentation at Adopting Bitcoin 2024\",\n    \"timestamp\": 1761689741105\n  }\n]"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasburtey/"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/nicolasburtey"},{"id":"website","value":"https://www.galoy.io/"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"\"https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/Qmbw23wfi39bJ651ABAPtwB7Dg1iZmxkPoKimb44PwDfy5\""},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Updated wiki content\""},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"Qmbw23wfi39bJ651ABAPtwB7Dg1iZmxkPoKimb44PwDfy5"}],"events":[{"id":"c398f958-f759-426a-9b07-53d5ef2de8e3","date":"2004-01","title":"Graduated from Université de Besançon","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Obtained a Licence (equivalent to a Bachelor's degree) in Mathematics and Computer Science.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasburtey/","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"1ab3aef4-0490-4a7b-8f0a-b20bc343928c","date":"2007-01","title":"Graduated from École nationale Louis-Lumière","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Earned a Master's degree in Cinematography and Film/Video Production.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasburtey/","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"478e75f8-7a27-4cd1-9815-8a8845b8dd0f","date":"2012-01","title":"Founded Orah","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Founded Orah (formerly VideoStitch), a company that developed software and hardware for creating and streaming 360-degree virtual reality (VR) video content.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasburtey/","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"002799ef-5ed4-44a0-b3bd-8d10232ced4a","date":"2018-05","title":"Co-founded Harmony Protocol","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Co-founded Harmony, a sharding-based blockchain protocol focused on scalability and decentralization.","link":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolasburtey/","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"76ce2b95-1276-4238-a7ab-69079b4eb4c5","date":"2019-11","title":"Founded Galoy","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Founded Galoy to build open-source, enterprise-grade Bitcoin banking software, which developed the Blink wallet (formerly Bitcoin Beach Wallet).","link":"https://www.galoy.io/","multiDateStart":null,"multiDateEnd":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":["galoy"],"founders":[],"speakers":[]},"recentActivity":"{\"items\":[{\"id\":\"88b7341b-caa9-44b3-bacb-eb1c24197ca2\",\"title\":\"Nicolas Burtey\",\"description\":\"Nicolas Burtey is a technology entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Galoy. He focuses on developing open-source Bitcoin banking infrastructure to drive adoption through tools like the Blink wallet and by supporting circular economies.\",\"timestamp\":\"2025-10-28T22:31:43.392Z\",\"category\":\"Wiki Update\",\"status\":{\"icon\":\"RiGlobalLine\",\"label\":\"Wiki Updated\",\"iconClassName\":\"text-green-500\"},\"user\":{\"name\":\"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889\",\"address\":\"0xacb6c5AD52b8f605299B0d774CE97F26e3DB80c2\"},\"button\":{\"label\":\"View Summary\",\"icon\":\"RiFileTextLine\"},\"summarySections\":[{\"title\":\"Content\",\"subtitle\":\"The content was significantly restructured, with sections removed, added, and reorganized.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":7,\"changes\":[\"Added internal links for 'Galoy'.\",\"Removed the 'Views and Philosophy' section.\",\"Added a new 'Interviews' section with subsections 'Bitcoin Banks' and 'Bitcoin Future'.\",\"Added a new 'Presentations' section with subsections 'Merchant Adoption', 'Bitcoin History', and 'Building Bitcoin Tools'.\",\"Removed the 'Timeline' section.\",\"Removed the 'Relationships' section.\",\"Removed the 'Social Media' section.\"]},{\"title\":\"Metadata\",\"subtitle\":\"The IPFS ID for the wiki was updated.\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":1,\"changes\":[\"Updated IPFS ID from 'QmZHKHftkw7co962yxmmg42CkpkZSG2u2gXerJEABK4evx' to 'Qmec6Rasq8pGts6yibvwhoUgYusbxxpwmXWiZPUXik9QFc'.\"]},{\"title\":\"Blockchains\",\"subtitle\":\"A new blockchain association was added.\",\"variant\":\"added\",\"changeCount\":1,\"changes\":[\"Added 'galoy' to blockchains.\"]},{\"title\":\"Images\",\"subtitle\":\"Removed all images from the wiki.\",\"variant\":\"removed\",\"changeCount\":3,\"changes\":[\"Removed image 'QmQhwvHk9BiXpxxpQkoeQgiUcwskWuS9oxm5Vjj1U4oBzj'.\",\"Removed image 'QmcHMyLpj8DPC48wbr2xHtrMjLaNz9aExtZivPtmkFbWgJ'.\",\"Removed image 'QmbS76Ffzqi23fLBDikXDh7oVfeunb6JvXLJbee6grgNmg'.\"]},{\"title\":\"Videos\",\"subtitle\":\"Added several YouTube videos to the wiki.\",\"variant\":\"added\",\"changeCount\":5,\"changes\":[\"Added YouTube video 'Rpn-W0fQ_6o'.\",\"Added YouTube video 'u7tSawPHwkY'.\",\"Added YouTube video '4td-g7RHdwY'.\",\"Added YouTube video 'EVBe2Vg7tgg'.\",\"Added YouTube video '7_GEkQV1rO0'.\"]},{\"title\":\"Links\",\"subtitle\":\"A new website link was added to the metadata.\",\"variant\":\"added\",\"changeCount\":1,\"changes\":[\"Added website link: https://www.galoy.io/\"]}]}]}","operator":{"id":"0xacb6c5AD52b8f605299B0d774CE97F26e3DB80c2"}}