Apple-Like Simplicity Meets Crypto: Amanu Wallet Revolutionizes Digital Transactions

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As I emerged into the world in 2001 within the borders of Argentina, I witnessed our nation grappling with an economically crippling crisis. This stark reality, unfolding before my very eyes, instilled in me a profound understanding of the limitations and failures inherent in conventional banking systems.

This formative experience fueled my ambition to innovate. I sought to pioneer a novel approach to cryptocurrency wallets, one that would serve as a bridge between the established financial sector and the revolutionary technology of blockchain. As an analyst, this is the journey that has led me to the creation of Amanu.

Following success at the Consensus 2024 hackathon in Texas last May, Amanu is pushing boundaries by redefining what a crypto wallet can do (for those interested in the EasyA Hackathon at Consensus Hong Kong 2025, please visit this link). This innovative startup is creating tools that go beyond typical wallet capabilities. Soon, users will be able to send cryptocurrency payments using their keyboard through any messaging platform, make contactless transfers using ultrasound technology, and manage transactions without worrying about gas fees or selecting a blockchain.

One significant barrier in using cryptocurrency wallets is the intricacy of recovery phrases, a sequence of words that users need to securely keep to access their funds. This fundamental issue has prompted Amanu to reconsider wallet security beyond the essential non-custodial aspect. Instead of seed phrases, Amanu’s wallet relies on biometric signatures for authentication, making seed phrases unnecessary.

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According to Minoprio, the key can only be activated with your approval. What makes Amanu intriguing is that even if it’s closed-source, you can still understand how the key is handled since we require your confirmation every time we want to activate the key.

Instead of storing private keys within the software like conventional wallets such as MetaMask, this approach signifies a marked shift. Yet, there are lingering queries regarding key aspects including retrieval of the wallet when a device gets misplaced or damaged, which is a vital point to ponder for any hardware-based biometric system.

A fundamental shift?

The extension beyond basic wallet functions in cryptocurrency prompts speculation about the direction of crypto transactions in the future. Does Amanu’s innovative strategy, which merges messaging, contactless payments, and streamlined key management, imply that we should fundamentally reevaluate digital wallets due to crypto’s distinctive traits? Or is it possible that these features will eventually align with more conventional wallet layouts in the long run?

The title of the project hints at its aspirations, with ‘Amanu’ being a reference to an ancient scribe known as an amanuensis in medieval times. In this context, Amanu aims to function as a link between intricate blockchain technology and regular users, serving as today’s modern scribes who can read and write within the blockchain system. Minoprio elaborates by saying, “We are the knowledge preservers or builders of the blockchain world.

In the competitive cryptocurrency wallet market, where existing companies have large user followings, Amanu’s success hinges on whether its novel features effectively address user issues rather than creating additional complications. Consequently, the company adopts a relentlessly user-centric development strategy. As Minoprio puts it, “If users don’t express enthusiasm about a feature, you can swiftly determine what to prioritize or discard.

As a researcher deeply involved in Amanu’s project, I’m seven months into its development and eagerly anticipating the imminent launch of our game-changing feature. This groundbreaking innovation will allow users to send cryptocurrency just like sending a text message. As we approach this significant milestone, it’s time for our vision—”making crypto payments as easy as sending a text”—to prove its mettle.

Whether the reimagined crypto wallet will strike a chord with mainstream users is still uncertain, but one thing is clear: this daring experiment aims to expand the horizons of digital payment systems. Only time will tell if our bold step into the future of finance will be embraced by the masses.

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2025-01-16 21:39