Christopher Zapf (Tangany): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Christopher Zapf is a notable figure in the fintech and blockchain industry, best known as a co-founder and Chief Compliance Officer of Tangany, a Munich-based company specializing in regulated digital asset custody solutions. Tangany has made significant strides in the realm of blockchain technology by offering secure, compliant, and accessible custody services for cryptocurrency and tokenized assets, particularly catering to institutional clients and banks across Europe. With a strong focus on innovation and regulatory alignment, Christopher Zapf and Tangany are at the forefront of pioneering blockchain adoption in finance. This article explores ten key facts about Zapf and his work to illuminate his contributions and the broader impact on digital finance.

1. Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer at Tangany

Christopher Zapf co-founded Tangany alongside Martin Kreitmair and Alexey Utin. As Chief Compliance Officer, he plays a crucial role in ensuring that the company meets stringent financial regulations, particularly those imposed by German and European authorities. His expertise in compliance is essential for building trust in Tangany's custody services, which are designed to safeguard digital assets in a regulatory-compliant manner. His position requires staying ahead of evolving laws concerning cryptocurrencies and blockchain, aligning Tangany’s offerings with these requirements.

2. Tangany’s Mission and Innovation

Under Zapf’s leadership in compliance, Tangany is dedicated to empowering the financial industry to unlock the benefits of digital assets for everyone. The company developed cutting-edge technology fully engineered in Germany, providing a ‘wallet as a service’ to businesses for secure custody and management of cryptocurrencies. Tangany’s innovation lies in blending state-of-the-art security, regulatory compliance, and API-driven integration, making blockchain accessible and easily integrated within existing financial systems.

3. Commitment to Regulatory Excellence

Tangany is fully regulated by BaFin, Germany’s federal financial supervisory authority, which is a significant competitive advantage in the European market. Christopher Zapf's governance role involves maintaining this high regulatory standard. This regulation assures clients that Tangany adheres to the best practices in financial oversight and security protocols, facilitating trust among institutional partners such as banks, asset managers, and fintech firms.

4. Growth and Market Impact

Since its founding in 2018, Tangany has experienced rapid growth, now securing over €3 billion in digital assets and serving more than 700,000 accounts globally. The company’s revenue has more than doubled between 2022 and 2024, and it has expanded its customer base with more than 60 institutional clients. This success reflects Tangany's strong market position and Zapf’s role in mitigating compliance risks amid scaling operations.

5. Key Role in European Crypto Custody Landscape

Christopher Zapf and Tangany have positioned themselves as key players in the European digital asset custody market, especially with the upcoming enforcement of the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation (MiCA). Tangany is actively onboarding banking partners and institutional clients, preparing for this new regulatory environment. Zapf’s compliance expertise helps ensure the company can effectively navigate these regulatory changes and maintain leadership in this niche.

6. White-Label Custody Solutions

Tangany offers white-label custody services, allowing its clients to leverage Tangany's infrastructure under their own branding. This approach supports fintechs, asset managers, and banks in offering blockchain and crypto custody solutions seamlessly. Zapf’s regulatory oversight ensures these white-label offerings remain compliant, secure, and trustworthy, helping clients deploy blockchain technology without building custody infrastructure from scratch.

7. Early Career and Professional Background

Before co-founding Tangany, Christopher Zapf built considerable experience working in fields related to usability, user experience, and compliance. His multifaceted background, including experience as a German and European patent attorney, provided him with a unique blend of technological, legal, and compliance insights that have been instrumental in shaping Tangany’s rigorous approach to secure crypto custody.

8. Public Engagement and Industry Representation

Zapf is active in representing Tangany at blockchain and financial technology events in Europe. He is often the point of contact for clients seeking guidance on integrating blockchain technology compliantly into their own businesses. His role involves public speaking, knowledge sharing, and networking within the fintech ecosystem to promote Tangany’s vision and expertise.

9. Tangany’s Focus on Accessibility and Security

One of the company’s guiding principles, championed by Zapf, is making digital asset management accessible regardless of the user’s background or expertise. Tangany’s technology is designed to be user-friendly while incorporating the highest security standards, including offline cold storage solutions for cryptocurrencies. This balance of usability and safety is a cornerstone of their business model and client trust.

10. Future Prospects and Industry Outlook

Looking ahead, Christopher Zapf is positioned to help steer Tangany through the evolving financial regulatory landscape in Europe and beyond. With continued investment and strong institutional backing, Tangany plans to expand its services, including new financial products such as staking and yield farming. Zapf’s compliance leadership will be critical in ensuring that innovation proceeds without compromising regulatory standards, setting a benchmark for responsible digital asset custody.

Conclusion

Christopher Zapf stands out as a pivotal figure in bridging the complex worlds of blockchain technology, compliance, and finance. As co-founder and Chief Compliance Officer at Tangany, his work ensures that innovative crypto custody solutions meet strict regulatory demands, fostering trust among leading institutions and paving the way for broader blockchain adoption. From overseeing regulatory adherence to promoting accessibility, Zapf's contributions highlight the importance of compliance in enabling a decentralized financial future. His journey invites us to consider how governance and innovation can coalesce to shape the fintech landscape responsibly.