UPHOLD
Uphold : Meeting its customers ’ needs Like all competently-run organisations , Uphold can boast a portfolio of key aims , strategies and capabilities stretching right across the business .
On the retail side of the operation , the priority is to provide a crypto-enable bank account that anticipates the wants and needs of Gen Z and alike , such as the transfer of ownership of assets using NFTs , or instant access to decentralised apps ( DApps ) on the blockchain , offering yields and borrowing capabilities .
Uphold ’ s enterprise app , meanwhile , allows companies building on blockchains to plug into its bank connectivity , thus enabling them to move fiat currency . Customers are given instant ability to buy crypto assets using a credit or debit card , as well as take part in projects on the blockchain in a non-custodial manner .
“ What we also have is our vault noncustodial product ,” Adjei-Ampofo continues , “ which offers the best of both worlds .
“ So , you can have your non-custodial , but , in the event of you losing your private keys , we can help you restore that in a safe way without compromising any security concerns .”
What ’ s more , Uphold ’ s institutional app is allowing the very largest of institutions to purchase significant quantities of crypto assets , Bitcoin or Ethereum , without impacting the market price .
Adjei-Ampofo adds : “ We do that by distributing the order across 30 different fs , providing the best-possible price .”
Also of note is Uphold ’ s white label service , giving traditional banks or fintechs the means to use its crypto services without having to worry about using its wallet or KYC requirements , instead plugging in their own interface .
“ We source from many venues so we can offer customers the best price ”
CHRISTOPHER ADJEI-AMPOFO CIO / CISO , UPHOLD
Staying ahead of cyber challenges Keeping abreast of the cybersecurity landscape is , comfortably , one of the biggest challenges facing Adjei-Ampofo in his role as CISO .
The rapid , and some may say astonishing , rise of generative AI over the past year or so has only served to exacerbate the situation , leaving leadership teams facing an uphill struggle to stay at least one step ahead of cyber criminals and modern-day threats .
“ We ’ ve already seen forces using AI and deepfake to fight against us , to try and compromise our systems – and the technology can only get better ,” says Adjei-Ampofo .
“ Making sure we ’ re prepared and getting better at protecting ourselves is what ’ s keeping me awake at night .”
Ultimately , social engineering – which Gen AI is contributing to and , in many cases , enhancing – perhaps remains the biggest cyber threat facing Uphold .
The business and its experts can work round the clock to protect customers within its ecosystem but , ultimately , the prospect of account takeover ( ATO ) can never be fully eradicated .
44 March 2024