As cryptocurrencies gain widespread adoption, hacks targeting holders are surging, with phishing, assaults, and even kidnappings becoming more common. How can you protect your crypto assets? Hardware wallets have long been reliable, but their innovation is stalling. Have they hit their limit? Wes Kaplan, CEO of G-Knot, disagrees, showcasing how their Finger Vein Biometric Wallet is the next leap in crypto security.
Hi Wes, can you introduce yourself and share with us your crypto journey?
Hi Gaétan! I started in big finance at places like J.P. Morgan. In early 2017, I left to pursue my FinTech passion, becoming the first member of Bank of New York’s marketing tech team. That’s where I got hooked on crypto—blown away by the tech, its possibilities, and its vision. Later, I joined AscendEX as head of marketing and operations, and let me tell you, switching from TradFi to DeFi was one of my best life decisions. In 2022, I led Cointelegraph, managing over 270 people across all business units, taking it to the top spot in the market—an achievement I’m still proud of. Now, as CEO of G-Knot, I’m focused on a new mission: launching the world’s first finger vein biometric crypto wallet.
Respect for the journey! So, what’s G-Knot all about?
G-Knot delivers the world’s first biometric crypto wallet, powered by LiveVein technology. It verifies you’re alive and authentic by analyzing blood flow and pulse in all ten fingers. It’s ultra-secure, especially against physical “wrench attacks.” Unlike fingerprints, which can be stolen with tape, or iris scans, which can be fooled, finger vein technology is nearly impossible to bypass. Our AI, P2N2, examines your pulse, rhythm, and blood flow patterns to confirm your identity. Just as crypto extends beyond Bitcoin, NFTs, or DeFi, G-Knot is more than a wallet, it’s a full ecosystem of identity tools. I can’t reveal everything yet, but the wallet is just the beginning!
By the Way, Why “G-Knot”?
The name comes from the Gordian Knot, that ancient, complex puzzle solved by a bold slice rather than unraveling. It’s seen as unbreakable, right? Our wallet’s inspired by a hockey puck, tough as nails, surviving 120-degree heat or a drop without a scratch. So we named it G-Knot to reflect that strength and durability.
Is G-Knot the first company to do a finger vein wallet?
In crypto, we’re the first to use finger vein technology, pioneering where others rely on biometrics like fingerprints. We partner with our sister company, eTunnel, a Seoul-based biometrics firm and our exclusive licensor. They’ve been in the game for years, even securing a major UN contract for fingerprint card readers used by their IT unit for ID verification. To be clear, the UN doesn’t use our finger vein tech yet—that’s a separate solution. Beyond wallets, G-Knot provides industry solutions like access control, offering fingerprint card readers, biometric stickers, and enterprise tools like laptop login with finger vein technology, all confirming you’re alive via your pulse. For a standard door, a fingerprint might suffice, but for a science lab, you’d want something more secure, like our LiveVein technology. We offer a range of products, and the choice is yours.
What if someone cuts off my finger to unlock the wallet?
It’s a harsh reality that we need to address these issues. We’ve seen alarming incidents in places like Soho and France involving high-profile execs and crypto investors. Your concerns are valid, and we’re here to tackle them. Even if someone cuts off your finger, it won’t work as our wallet requires live blood flow to unlock.
What if I have a medical condition that affects my fingerprints? Would the wallet still work?
Totally! Even if you dip your finger in water, you will be able to unlock your wallet. Current biometrics often fail in those cases, but our tech nails that problem.
Ok, but if I lose my fingers in an accident, how do I access my wallet?
At G-Knot, we give our users and community the luxury of choice. You decide if you want to add another person or finger for recovery.
So if I can add multiple people, I can also implement a multi-sig with vein patterns?
We’re actively working on that, aiming to have it ready for launch. We’ve got the tech capability. I can’t say it’s 100% done for the first release, but it’s definitely on the roadmap.
Your site mentions an “air-gapped” mode. What’s that about?
Wallets come in three types: cold, warm, and hot. In my view, Bluetooth should be optional by default for hardware wallets. Ours includes a Bluetooth feature you can enable or disable. When turned off, the wallet is fully air-gapped, meaning no internet connection. For casual use, this might be overkill, but for securing millions in institutional custody, it’s essential. Our goal is bank-level security that’s incredibly easy to use, without ever compromising safety.
Got a token in the works?
Not yet, but we’re planning one for Q1 2026! It’ll let users, partners, and investors share in the ecosystem’s upside, not just the product. But we’re product-first, that’s why the wallet launches before the token.
Anything else to share?
We’re bringing our expertise in access control and biometrics from other industries to Web3. We saw a clear opportunity. With tons of certifications and patents, we’re stoked to make this accessible to everyone. We’ve stress-tested the product with pentests and are running multiple security audits to meet the highest standards. We’re working with top orgs to ensure it’s the safest product out there.
Thanks, Wes! Could you sum up G-Knot in three words.
Sure:
- Biometrically secure.
- Cutting edge.
- Intuitive.
