Masumi Interview
In this interview, Kristian Portz, co-founder of Masumi Network, explains how the platform builds infrastructure for AI agents to work together, make decisions, and handle payments autonomously - while staying secure and compliant with European regulations. Built on the Cardano blockchain, Masumi creates transparent systems where agents interact without human input. Portz highlights real-world use cases in finance and healthcare and considers how AI agents might shape future governance, marking a shift in technology collaboration. Sounds Exciting? Well..let’s dive right in!
Hello, Kristian A. Portz. It's great to connect with you today and learn more about Masumi Network, something I’m really looking forward to. But before we dive into that, could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I'm Kristian Portz, a Berlin-based entrepreneur and one of the co-founders of Masumi.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and your role within Masumi Network?
My journey started in film production, but over time I transitioned into the tech space, bringing with me a creative mindset and a passion for building systems that put people first. Before Masumi, I also co-founded NMKR, a blockchain company focused on making the Cardano ecosystem more accessible through tools for token and NFT creation. At Masumi, I’m working to bridge the gap between human values and technological innovation.
So, what exactly is Masumi Network? And in simple terms, what does it aim to achieve?
Masumi Network is a decentralized platform that enables AI agents to collaborate and monetize their services securely and transparently. By using blockchain technology, it provides AI agents with verified identities, transparent decision logs, and secure payment systems.
What sets Masumi apart is that it’s fully compliant with European regulations, which is crucial for corporates, especially in Europe, where data privacy and security are top priorities. This compliance ensures that companies can adopt AI solutions with confidence, knowing they align with strict legal and ethical standards.
Where did the idea for Masumi Network come from? What specific need or gap did you identify in the market? Please take us along on that journey?
The idea for Masumi Network really came from Sebastian Küpers, who I consider the godfather of the project. He approached me and my co-founder, Patrick Tobler, in the middle of last year, and we were instantly captivated by his vision. Sebastian is already pushing the boundaries at Serviceplan Group, where he’s building AI agents for large corporate clients.
Meanwhile, Patrick and I are focused on developing the best possible AI infrastructure on Cardano. What we saw was a huge gap in the market—AI solutions that were powerful but lacked transparency, security, and compliance, especially for corporates.
That’s where Masumi comes in: we’re creating a platform that bridges this gap, offering secure, compliant, and collaborative AI infrastructure. One of the key features is that AI agents can pay each other autonomously via smart contracts, enabling seamless, trustless transactions.
This opens up new possibilities for how AI systems can collaborate, share data, and even monetize their services without relying on intermediaries or monopolic solutions.
How would you describe Masumi Network to someone who is not technically inclined, or familiar with AI Agents?
Imagine you have several digital assistants that need to collaborate to get tasks done. Masumi provides the infrastructure for these agents to communicate, make decisions, and even pay each other automatically when certain tasks are completed, all without human intervention. What makes it special is that it’s built with privacy and security in mind, especially for companies in Europe, where data protection is crucial. It’s like creating a smart, reliable network where AI agents can do business with each other, safely and transparently, while following all the necessary rules and regulations.
You focus heavily on AI Agents. Could you explain what AI Agents are in the simplest terms, and how they function within Masumi Network?
AI agents are like digital workers or assistants that can carry out tasks on their own. These tasks could range from analyzing data, making decisions, or even communicating with other systems. They are called “agents” because they act on behalf of someone or something, carrying out actions automatically based on specific instructions or goals.
In the context of Masumi Network, these AI agents can work together autonomously, meaning they don’t need human input to interact or collaborate. For example, one AI agent could handle data processing, while another might take care of decision-making. They can even pay each other for tasks completed, using smart contracts—basically, digital agreements that are executed automatically when certain conditions are met.
So, within Masumi, AI agents are like digital coworkers that communicate, share tasks, and manage their own transactions, all in a secure and compliant way, especially for companies that need to follow strict privacy rules.
What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in developing Masumi Network, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced in developing Masumi Network has been ensuring that the platform is both technically advanced and fully compliant with European regulations. Building a decentralized system for AI agents that can operate autonomously, securely, and in a way that meets privacy laws is no small feat. It’s not just about creating a robust infrastructure, but also ensuring that everything aligns with strict data protection standards, especially for corporate clients in Europe.
Another challenge has been designing a platform that allows AI agents to collaborate and transact without human intervention, using smart contracts. It’s a new concept, and convincing others of its potential required a lot of education and trust-building. We had to make sure the technology was intuitive, user-friendly, and reliable enough for businesses to adopt it with confidence.
To overcome these hurdles, we’ve relied on our diverse team’s expertise - especially from Sebastian Küpers, who’s already leading AI projects at Serviceplan Group - and focused on building with security, transparency, and compliance at the forefront. We also continuously iterate, testing the system and getting feedback from early adopters to ensure that it works smoothly in real-world scenarios.
Ultimately, it's been a matter of blending innovation with caution and finding that sweet spot where cutting-edge technology meets practical, legal, and business needs.
Looking ahead, what are the major milestones or developments that Masumi Network plans to achieve in the next year?
In the coming year, Masumi Network is focused on advancing its platform and the AI agent ecosystem through several key developments.
One major priority is enterprise integration. We are actively working with major corporate clients to deploy AI agents in real-world business environments. These collaborations are already underway and demonstrate the practical value of Masumi’s approach to secure and compliant AI.
Another area of focus is the expansion of our developer ecosystem. Building on the momentum from our successful hackathons in Berlin and San Francisco, we plan to host additional global events to engage developers and drive innovation around our protocol.
On the technical side, we are enhancing the core functionalities of the platform. This includes improving agent discovery mechanisms, refining decision-logging processes, and strengthening the infrastructure for agent-to-agent payments, all essential for ensuring secure and seamless collaboration between AI agents.
Lastly, regulatory compliance remains at the heart of our mission. We are continuously aligning our platform with evolving European data and privacy regulations to create a trustworthy environment that companies can adopt with confidence.
Which partnership are you most proud of, and how did it directly contribute to your network's development and goals?
Our partnership with the Cardano Foundation stands out as a pivotal collaboration. By building Masumi on the Cardano blockchain, we've leveraged its secure and scalable infrastructure to empower AI agents with verifiable identities, transparent decision logs, and efficient payment systems. This alliance has been instrumental in aligning our platform with the principles of decentralization and compliance, essential for enterprise adoption.
I now would like to take a look at use cases. In your view, what are some of the main applications or areas where AI Agents can be applied? Could you share specific examples or scenarios where you believe they are or could be used in real-world situations?
AI agents have a broad spectrum of applications across various industries, each offering unique opportunities to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
In finance, AI agents can automate trading strategies, manage portfolios, and execute transactions on decentralized finance platforms. This not only increases operational efficiency but also reduces the potential for human error, making financial systems more reliable and scalable.
In the field of marketing and customer engagement, AI agents are already proving invaluable. They can personalize interactions, analyze consumer behavior in real-time, and dynamically optimize campaigns to better target and serve audiences. This creates more meaningful engagement and higher returns on marketing efforts.
In supply chain management, AI agents contribute by autonomously monitoring logistics, forecasting demand, and managing inventory. Their ability to process vast amounts of data allows for more responsive and resilient supply networks, helping businesses better adapt to changes in real-time.
Healthcare is another key area where AI agents show great promise. They can support patient monitoring, assist in analyzing medical data, and contribute to personalized treatment plans. This enables healthcare providers to offer more proactive, data-driven care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and system efficiency.
From your personal perspective, how do you see AI agents playing a role in blockchain governance? What potential benefits or challenges do you think they might bring, and how could they transform decision-making processes in this space?
AI agents can revolutionize blockchain governance by enabling more dynamic and responsive decision-making processes. They can analyze vast amounts of data to inform governance proposals, automate voting mechanisms, and ensure compliance with established protocols. However, challenges include ensuring transparency in AI decision-making and preventing biases. Implementing decentralized governance frameworks can help balance innovation with ethical responsibility.
What message would you like to share with the broader tech community about your vision for the future of AI Agents and the role they can play in shaping our tech landscape?
We envision a future where AI agents operate autonomously yet ethically within decentralized ecosystems, collaborating seamlessly to perform complex tasks. By embedding principles of transparency, accountability, and compliance into their design, we can harness the full potential of AI agents to drive innovation across industries. We invite the tech community to join us in building this future, where AI agents are not just tools but trusted partners in progress.
And finally, perhaps a question I should have asked earlier, but I figured, let's not close without asking: what do you enjoy doing in your free time, outside of the world of AI and blockchain?
Outside of my professional endeavors, I have a deep appreciation for the arts, particularly film and theater. Having spent over a decade in European arthouse cinema, I find inspiration in storytelling and visual expression. I also enjoy exploring Berlin's vibrant cultural scene and engaging in creative projects that bridge technology and art.
Tell us about your team. Who are the people behind Masumi Network?
Sebastian Küpers, Patrick Tobler and I started this journey roundabout 9 months ago and together we lead a dedicated team of over 35 professionals working across eight parallel workstreams, all committed to advancing the Masumi Network and the broader AI agent economy.