What sets CoinW apart? Security, personalization, and loyalty — Interview with CSO Nassar Al Achkar

Nassar Al Achkar joined CoinW as its Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) in October 2024. Speaking to Cryptopolitan, Nassar shares how the exchange is investing over $15 million in security infrastructure, their move to Dubai, main features, and other things that make CoinW a leader in the crypto exchange space. CoinW is a centralized crypto exchange that was established in 2017. Today, it boasts 15 million users, 1,000 listed cryptocurrencies, 40-plus fiat currencies, and a consistent top-four ranking in CoinMarketCap’s futures markets. Besides the success, CoinW is also involved in corporate social responsibility, from donating supplies to orphanages in Africa to supporting animal welfare in Taiwan. Nassar Al Achkar on working at CoinW Q: Hello Nassar, please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at CoinW. A: Thank you for having me. I’m Nassar Achkar, Chief Strategy Officer at CoinW. My career began in the IT sector, where I worked for multiple global technology firms and managed projects across diverse regulatory and cultural landscapes. I co-founded the Dubai Blockchain Center and launched a Web3 health platform, which deepened my passion for blockchain and AI. Today, at CoinW, I leverage this expertise to chart our long-term roadmap. It helps me foster strategic partnerships and ensure our platform is innovative and compliant. I aim to build a globally integrated blockchain ecosystem that empowers users and drives innovation. Q: Now that you’ve been CoinW’s Chief Strategy Officer for several months, has anything changed in your daily routine? How do you prioritize your time across such a busy global operation? A: My daily routine has evolved to keep pace with the company’s growth and global expansion. The environment here is dynamic and fast-moving. My days are filled with cross-functional collaboration across teams located globally. I spend considerable time engaging with regulatory bodies. I also work closely with product teams to drive innovation and strategic partnerships. I prioritize my time by focusing on initiatives with the highest strategic impact. This means constantly evaluating where my attention can deliver the most value. I rely heavily on data-driven dashboards and real-time analytics to monitor progress. These tools help me make informed decisions quickly. Q: CoinW made Dubai its new home several years ago. How do crypto regulations in the UAE compare to those in other countries? What’s the Dubai advantage? CoinW at an event in Dubai A: Dubai is often called the “crypto capital of the world.” The UAE’s progressive, transparent, and business-friendly regulatory framework sets it apart from other countries. Our move to Dubai was a strategic decision to position CoinW at the center of a fast-growing, innovation-friendly market. The city’s thriving ecosystem of startups, major industry events like Token2049, and vibrant tech community create an ideal environment for growth. Token listing process and partnerships Q: We have seen new tokens get listed on CoinW before other major exchanges. Given this track record, how do you decide which projects to list, especially as CoinW avoids listing many tokens? A: Our token listing process at CoinW is rigorous. It is driven by the principles of integrity, data-driven analysis, and long-term value creation. We don’t chase hype or market trends. Instead, we rely on our proprietary SCORE model developed by CoinW Research. It evaluates projects across five critical dimensions: Sector and hype Code and Security Operations and outreach Resources and teams Evaluation and data This framework allows us to identify projects with strong technological foundations and credible and experienced teams. It also provides insights into active and engaged communities and sustainable economic models. Q: The partnership with LaLiga offers exposure to over a billion fans globally. How do you plan to use such partnerships to educate fans about cryptocurrencies and promote adoption? CoinW LALIGA partnership A: The partnership with LALIGA allows us to connect with over a billion passionate football fans worldwide. We plan to leverage this platform by launching interactive fan engagement campaigns and educational initiatives. We are also developing blockchain-powered rewards that make crypto accessible and relevant to sports enthusiasts. Additionally, we’re exploring NFT collectibles and immersive football-themed experiences. Through this collaboration, CoinW and LALIGA aim to inspire fans to embrace the future of finance and technology while celebrating football. CoinW features Q: CoinW offers bots and derivative trading. Given the rising demand for structured crypto products, do you plan to expand your offerings in this area? A: Absolutely! We’re actively expanding our suite of structured crypto products to meet the rising demand. This includes yield enhancement options and risk-managed portfolios for retail and institutional clients. On the trading bot side, CoinW offers automated tools that help users reduce risks compared to manual trading, while capturing market opportunities. For example, our Grid strategy lets users set price ranges and automatically buy low and sell high within those limits. This makes it easier to profit from market fluctuations without constant monitoring. Our Bot Marketplace currently features Spot Grid, Futures Grid, Futures CTA, and Auto-Invest strategies. We’re continuously adding more proven strategies that users can copy. Q: Security remains a major concern for crypto exchanges. After recent high-profile hacks, how does CoinW continue to ensure user funds are protected? A: Security remains an absolute priority at CoinW. We have maintained a clean record by adopting a holistic, proactive approach to safeguarding user funds. We have invested over $15 million in infrastructure, including multi-party computation (MPC) wallet architecture, cold-hot wallet segregation, and multi-signature authorization to ensure that assets are protected at the technical level. Our platform employs a multi-layered defense strategy integrating real-time anomaly detection and 24/7 risk monitoring. This includes AI-driven threat analysis to identify and intercept potential attacks before they escalate. Our security philosophy emphasizes: Prevention over reaction Embedding continuous internal audits Compliance with regulations such as Dubai’s VARA and global AML standards, and Ongoing user education on best security practices. Q: Artificial intelligence (AI) trading tools and automated strategies are gaining traction. Is CoinW integrating AI to enhance user experience or trading strategies? A: We have developed and are actively rolling out GPT-TradeAI, an AI-powered investment tool designed to deliver accurate, real-time market analysis and personalized trading recommendations. GPT-TradeAI helps traders stay ahead of market trends, optimize their trading strategies, and navigate complex market conditions more confidently. Beyond GPT-TradeAI, we are integrating AI across our platform through trading assistants. We also seek to provide risk analytics and tailored market insights. Q: Copy trading for crypto futures is one of CoinW’s standout features. Are there any upcoming innovations or improvements in social trading? A: CoinW has introduced Smart Futures Copy Trading. It allows Lead Traders and their followers to open positions using the same margin rate, allowing followers to stay aligned with the Lead Traders’ trades. There are two modes available: the classic copy trading mode and the new smart mode, letting users choose based on their investment preferences. Overall, this feature aims to provide a more precise and convenient way to mirror trading strategies. CoinW is preparing to launch a new on-chain trading platform that simplifies access to trending tokens using just an email. No wallet setup or gas fees needed. Blockchain trends Q: What is the most transformative trend in blockchain technology for 2025, and why? A: The most transformative trends in blockchain technology for 2025 are the convergence of blockchain with artificial intelligence (AI), tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), and cross-chain communication. AI-powered smart contracts enable predictive analytics, real-time fraud detection, and dynamic risk management, making blockchain applications more intelligent and adaptive. Meanwhile, tokenization unlocks vast new markets by representing assets like real estate, bonds, and commodities on-chain. It bridges traditional finance with decentralized finance (DeFi). Enhanced cross-chain interoperability allows seamless interaction between previously siloed blockchain networks. This creates a unified ecosystem that improves liquidity and user experience. This shift from hype to real-world utility marks 2025 as a pivotal year for blockchain’s mainstream integration and sustainable growth. Q: Achieving over 15 million users globally is a significant milestone, but sustaining engagement is equally important. How does CoinW plan to enhance user retention and ensure that it remains the platform of choice for its existing users? A: At the heart of our strategy is creating personalized, meaningful experiences that resonate with each user’s unique needs and preferences. We leverage data analytics and AI-driven insights to tailor our platform interface. Providing educational content ensures users receive relevant information and opportunities that enhance their trading journey. Beyond personalization, security remains a top priority. We continuously invest in cybersecurity and compliance protocols to protect our users’ assets and data. We offer loyalty programs that reward consistent participation to foster a vibrant and engaged community. We have innovative features such as copy trading. It allows users to learn from and interact with experienced traders. Q: Institutional adoption is growing, and we have seen ETFs play a significant role this year. How do such trends impact the broader crypto ecosystem and CoinW’s strategy? A: Institutional adoption is a powerful catalyst for the broader crypto ecosystem since it increases credibility, liquidity, and market stability. The growing popularity of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs this year has played a pivotal role in making digital assets more accessible to traditional investors. At CoinW, we are proactively aligning our strategy to capture this expanding institutional segment by enhancing our suite of institutional-grade services. This includes developing secure custody solutions that meet the highest compliance and regulatory standards. We also offer tailored trading tools for sophisticated investors, such as advanced order types, algorithmic trading, and deep liquidity pools. Q: Emerging markets from Southeast Asia to Africa show a rising interest in crypto, but regulatory clarity varies. How does CoinW navigate compliance and regulation across these diverse markets? A: Emerging markets like Southeast Asia and Africa are fueled by youthful, tech-savvy populations and expanding digital economies. The regions are driven by a strong demand for financial inclusion and the need to overcome limitations in traditional infrastructure. At CoinW, we navigate this diverse regulatory landscape through a proactive, localized approach. We collaborate closely with each region’s regulators, legal experts, and industry associations to ensure compliance. Transparency and education are central to our strategy. It helps us build trust and foster sustainable growth in these dynamic markets. Q: What’s next for CoinW in 2025 and beyond? A: Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, CoinW is focused on global expansion and deeper institutional integration. It is looking to introduce new products in DeFi and real-world asset tokenization. You can expect more strategic partnerships and innovative features. In 2025, we’re aiming even higher. We seek to drive crypto adoption and innovation even further. Everyone is invited to join us, explore our platforms like PropW and DeriW, and be part of the CoinW ecosystem as we shape the future of crypto.

Source: Cryptopolitan