OpenAI Alum Launches Volante Chain Crypto Payroll Startup

Joey Bertschler, a former employee of OpenAI, has launched Volante Chain, a groundbreaking crypto payroll startup. This move marks a significant shift from the cutting-edge world of artificial intelligence to the realm of blockchain and financial technology. Bertschler's decision to pivot from developing large language models to building a blockchain payroll platform highlights a growing trend of leveraging advanced technology to solve real-world financial problems.

Volante Chain is designed to disrupt traditional payroll systems by offering unprecedented speed and flexibility. The platform is built on blockchain technology, providing a decentralized and transparent ledger for transactions. This ensures security and immutability in financial operations. Key features of Volante Chain include daily wage access, crypto and AI integration, a blockchain foundation, and global reach. The platform aims to give employees access to their earned wages on a daily basis, which can significantly improve financial liquidity and planning. The use of cryptocurrency for faster, potentially cross-border payments, combined with AI for intelligent risk assessment, creates a powerful synergy aimed at making payroll more dynamic and responsive to employee needs.

Bertschler's departure from OpenAI to start a fintech startup in the payroll space is indicative of a recognition of the potential for blockchain and crypto to solve fundamental financial problems. The desire to build something with tangible, immediate financial impact, especially for workers who might benefit most from flexible pay access, seems to be a driving force behind this shift. It highlights that talent from even the most advanced tech sectors sees immense opportunity in applying blockchain solutions to improve existing financial infrastructure, particularly in areas underserved by traditional systems.

The concept of daily wage access is perhaps the most compelling feature of Volante Chain. For many individuals, living paycheck to paycheck is a reality. Waiting two weeks or a month for earned income can lead to significant financial stress, reliance on predatory short-term loans, or difficulty managing unexpected expenses. Providing access to wages as they are earned can improve employee financial well-being, reduce the need for payday loans, increase employee satisfaction and retention for employers offering the service, and provide greater financial flexibility and control. Volante Chain’s approach, enabled by the speed and efficiency of crypto transactions on a blockchain, makes this daily access a practical possibility, moving beyond traditional banking limitations.

Volante Chain is not just an idea; it’s already in the testing phase. The startup is currently running pilot programs with users in Vietnam and Japan. These markets represent diverse economic landscapes and regulatory environments, providing valuable testing grounds for the platform’s scalability and adaptability. The startup has also secured initial funding, raising $2 million from private investors. This capital injection provides a runway for development and operations. This funding is expected to sustain the company for five years without needing additional investment, indicating confidence from early backers and a lean operational model. This early traction and solid financial backing position Volante Chain as a promising player in the evolving landscape where fintech, blockchain, and AI converge to redefine how people get paid.

Joey Bertschler’s transition from the cutting edge of AI at OpenAI to launching a crypto payroll platform like Volante Chain is a testament to the transformative potential of blockchain technology. By focusing on providing daily wage access through a secure and efficient blockchain payroll system, this new fintech startup addresses a fundamental need for financial flexibility in the modern workforce. Motivated by a desire for greater impact and perhaps a different work environment than found as an OpenAI employee, Bertschler’s venture is poised to challenge traditional payroll models. As Volante Chain continues its testing in key markets and leverages its initial funding, it will be fascinating to watch how this innovative approach reshapes the future of how we get paid.