Karim Hamasni

Director, Crypto Asset Innovation, RBC Toronto

Karim Hamasni is the head of crypto asset innovation at RBCx. He takes great pride in being a self-proclaimed ‘geek’ who wholeheartedly immerses himself in cutting-edge technology. In January 2016, Karim joined RBC after emerging victorious in two consecutive RBC Hackathons. Furthermore, he provided technical leadership to an internal RBC hackathon team that received top accolades for their blockchain identity project. Throughout his tenure at RBC, Karim has been granted three patents related to blockchain and cryptocurrency and currently has a fourth patent under review. His fascination with this field dates back to 2013 when he operated a small crypto-mining operation. Heading the crypto asset innovation team, Karim oversees a multidisciplinary group engaged in technology development, research, business development, and risk management. His work centers around assessing and developing the disruptive potential of crypto assets within the realm of traditional finance.

Karim’s influence extends beyond the workplace, evident through his YouTube channel, where he educates his audience on algorithm design and cryptography. With over 19,000 subscribers and more than 2.1 million views, his channel has become a valuable resource for computer science enthusiasts and learners alike. Additionally, Karim actively shares his expertise as a regular guest lecturer at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, teaching a blockchain course in the Master of Law program. Moreover, he has delivered guest lectures at esteemed institutions such as Ivey Business School, The Schulich School of Business, The Degroote School of Business, and McMaster Engineering. Karim holds a degree in computer acience from Brock University and an MBA from Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario.