In this episode of CryptoCurrents, host Tori Madison delves into a fascinating conversation with Karim Chaib, founder and CEO of Cortex and the Web3Intelligence platform. Moreover, it is not your average crypto startup story. Instead, Karim tells a bold story that dives into the intersection of AI and blockchain, driven by his unique background and vision.
Starting young, Karim began coding at the age of six. Since then, he has built up over 25 years in IT, culminating in a career that spans engineering, AI, and banking. At Société Générale, he built cryptographic infrastructures, but the real pivot came in 2017 during the ICO boom. Karim joined Avaloq to develop systems supporting digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum, revealing an insider secret: while publicly banks seemed wary of crypto, internally, they were racing to adopt it. This was Karim’s springboard into the crypto world, where he saw firsthand the potential and the pain points of digital finance.
Identifying gaps in blockchain interoperability and compliance, Karim founded Cortex. The goal was clear: create a robust infrastructure to solve these issues. Cortex’s flagship product, the Dopamine app, does more than manage digital assets. It simplifies crypto for both novices and experts, integrating AI-driven tools like their weekly predictions module. This tool, leveraging technical analysis and sentiment data, provides users with market predictions, enhancing their trading strategies with a level of precision previously reserved for institutional investors.
With over 3.7 million users spending an average of two and a half hours a month on the app, Dopamine stands out in a crowded market. Users can test predictions in demo mode before making real trades, ensuring confidence and competence. This approach empowers seasoned traders while democratizing access to sophisticated trading tools for everyone.
Cortex’s innovation doesn’t stop at predictions. Their AI models analyze vast datasets, combining technical and social behavioral data to offer insights that are as actionable as they are accurate. Karim’s vision is clear: integrate AI deeply into the trading process, making it intuitive and accessible. This is crucial as the crypto market matures and volatility decreases, requiring more nuanced tools to capitalize on remaining market swings.
A standout feature of Cortex’s approach is their commitment to security and compliance. Unlike many platforms, Cortex ensures users have full custody of their assets, maintaining control and security through self-custody models. Their compliance tools offer transparency, allowing users to assess the health of their wallets and ensuring they adhere to anti-money laundering standards.
Karim’s journey into web3 intelligence isn’t just a tale of technical prowess but also one of strategic vision. By focusing on the intersection of AI, blockchain, and spatial computing, Cortex is positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave of digital finance. Their solutions are designed to cater to everyone from individual users to large financial institutions, making advanced trading capabilities more accessible and more intuitive.
Cortex also displays a commitment to education. The Dopamine app isn’t just a trading platform. It’s also a learning tool. Users can access a wealth of educational content, from beginner guides to advanced trading strategies, all tailored to their experience level. This educational push extends even to children, with Cortex developing apps to teach kids about digital assets in a fun, engaging way.
Upcoming projects include new trading strategies and a community-driven meme coin, all part of their broader goal to integrate advanced technologies seamlessly into everyday trading. Karim’s approach is pragmatic, focusing on real-world applications and tangible benefits. With Cortex, he’s not just building tools. He’s building a future where digital assets are as intuitive and accessible as any traditional financial instrument.
