Johann Gevers
Johann Gevers
Johann Gevers is a South African Entrepreneur, Speaker, and Blockchain Enthusiast. He is based in Zug, Switzerland.
Education
Being interviewed
Gevers attended the University of the Witwatersrand where he earned a degree in Mathematics and Psychology in 1998. some years later, he earned another Bachelors degree in Philosophy, with a focus in Logic, from the University of South Africa in 1990 and later a HonsBCompt in Accounting, Auditing, and Tax from the University of South Africa in 1994. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Chartered Accountant.
Career
Business Beginnings
Early in his career, Gevers has worked as a Research Scientist, Auditor, and Auditor. In 1999, Gevers became an independent Business Consultant and provided strategic business, finance, and technology guidance to client companies across diverse industries, including award-winning technology startups.
Cryptocurrency Advocacy
Speaking at an event
Gevers helped established Zug, Switzerland as the center of Cypto Valley in 2013.
He nurtured relationships with regulatory authorities and has lobbied organizations such as Ethereum, ShapeShift, Xapo, Bitcoin Suisse, Monetas, and Tezos to be headquartered there. In July 2016 the city of Zug became the first government in the world to officially accept bitcoin payments. In July 2017 the city of Zug announced it would become the first government in the world to offer blockchain-based digital identities to its citizens.
Gevers is the Co-Founder and Board Member of the Bitcoin Association Switzerland, an organization that promotes cryptocurrencies in Switzerland through meetups, events, and education initiatives. In addition, he is the Founder and President of the Digital Finance Compliance Association, an organization that aims to shape the regulatory framework for the cryptofinance industry.
Gevers is the Founder and CEO of Monetas, a transaction platform that brings financial and legal services to everyone with a mobile phone.
It aims to achieve banking access for the billions of people in the world who are unbanked and underbanked.
Involvement with Tezos
Gevers is the Founder and President of the Tezos Foundation.
In October of 2017, reports surfaced of infighting Tezos between Gevers and Kathleen Breitman and Arthur Breitman. Although in the past Kathleen described Gevers as a "total mensch", their relationship has soured and the Breitman's are seeked to oust Gevers as the President of the Tezos Foundation. They accuse Gevers of self-dealing. In February 2018 after immense pressure, Gevers stepped down from his board seat.