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Crypto Fintech

Self-Custodial Banking

Self-custody that a normal customer can use: no seed phrase, recoverable, and it feels like a banking app.

Role
Lead Software Architect & Web3.0 Engineer · Stealth
Years
2024
Links
—

Context

Self-custody usually means seed phrases. This product aimed at people who will never write down twelve words but still shouldn't have their funds held by a company.

Problem

Give users real custody with the ergonomics of a banking app — no seed phrase, recoverable, and usable from a phone.

Architecture

  • Account Abstraction smart accounts as the user's primary financial account.
  • Turnkey and Alchemy SDK for key management and infrastructure.
  • Passkey authentication tied to mobile OS accounts instead of mnemonic backup.
  • Cron-driven automation for yield and scheduled operations.

What I built

  • Custodial and self-custodial transfer flows in one product surface.
  • Stablecoin-first balances and rewards (USDC).
  • AAVE integration so deposited USDC earns yield.
  • Core MVP of backend and frontend systems.

Technology

Account AbstractionTurnkeyAlchemyUSDCAAVEPasskeysReact Native

Hard parts

  • Recovery without custody — the hardest constraint in the entire product.
  • Explaining custody boundaries to users in interface terms rather than cryptography terms.

Outcome

A working MVP demonstrating self-custodial, stablecoin-first banking with passkey authentication. Company identity remains private under NDA.

Next case study

Axys Bank →

Contact

Tell me what you're building — and what's blocking it.

If the problem sits somewhere between financial infrastructure, product and engineering, there's a good chance I can help.

Open to

  • Architecture Sprint
  • Launch Sprint
  • Fractional Fintech Lead
  • Speaking & Podcast

Based in

UAE, Armenia, Hong Kong SAR

Book an intro call

30 min · video

Prefer to write first? armmamyan@gmail.com