Emile began his career in traditional finance as an Equity Analyst for an investment fund before launching his first startup over a decade ago. He went on to join Bloomberg, where he focused on Product, and later worked at De Beers, leading a digital tracking initiative for artisanal diamonds in collaboration with BCG. During this project, he met his future co-founder, then Blockchain Lead at Tracr, another BCG-led venture.
In 2020, they co-founded Ctrl Wallet, driving innovation in chain-agnostic product development.
The Ctrl wallet supports over 2,100 blockchains — can you explain the technology that makes this possible?
Ctrl is built on a modular infrastructure that allows interaction across a vast range of blockchains. Through a combination of advanced protocols, APIs, and smart routing algorithms, the wallet maintains high performance while connecting with both major blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as more niche networks. Additionally, Ctrl is unique in its support for custom RPC on both EVM and Cosmos chains, making it straightforward for users to engage with emerging networks.
What drove the rebranding from XDEFI to Ctrl, and what changes accompanied this shift?
XDEFI aligned well with the 2021 DeFi boom, but over time, the brand began to feel outdated. To appeal to the next generation of users, we wanted a brand that feels accessible and enduring.The name “Ctrl” embodies this, as it’s universally recognised and resonates with our goal of empowering users to control their assets.
The rebrand went beyond a new name and logo—it’s a complete ecosystem overhaul. We rebuilt our browser extension and mobile wallets with a user-focused design, and have introduced a token migration to $CTRL with new tokenomics. This includes a revenue-sharing model where 75% of income is used to buy back and burn tokens, adding a deflationary aspect to $CTRL.
Can you discuss the recent decision to lock 32% of the $XDEFI/$CTRL total supply in an AMM LP and its impact on the community?
By locking 32% of the token supply in an AMM liquidity pool, we aim to signal commitment to the project’s long-term vision.
This step has helped to reduce sell pressure and provide ample liquidity, supporting gradual accumulation by investors and reflects our confidence in Ctrl’s potential for sustained growth.
What are the main goals for the team following the full launch of the Ctrl wallet?
After the beta phase, our priority is ensuring a smooth user experience upon launch. Once we’re satisfied with the product’s stability, we’ll focus on scaling growth to introduce millions to Ctrl. We’re also working on adding new blockchains and innovative features, providing users with a range of options, from DeFi to emerging crypto opportunities. Our goal is to build a wallet that evolves with the space, allowing users to easily access diverse assets and opportunities across multiple blockchains.