Executive Summary
Clarisse Hagège is the CEO and Co-Founder of Dfns, a cybersecurity company specializing in wallet infrastructure for Web3, digital assets, and crypto custody. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Hagège is recognized for her expertise in digital finance, fintech, and cryptography, with a robust international background and a high-level professional and academic pedigree. Dfns has experienced significant growth, innovation, and industry recognition under her leadership, both technically and commercially, positioning her as a key decision-maker and thought leader for digital asset infrastructure.
Professional Profile
Current Role
Title: CEO & Co-Founder
Company: Dfns ([Company bio](https://www.dfns.co/speaker/clarisse-hagege))
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
- Board Member, MPC Alliance
- Mentor, Techstars Web3 Launchpad
- Active industry speaker and panelist (EBC23, Fintech Meetup, Paris Blockchain Week, Viva Tech)
- Industry policy leadership: Member, ADAN Board (2025)
Company Overview: Dfns
- Focus: Cybersecurity, multichain wallet infrastructure, cryptography for digital asset security
- Clients: Financial institutions, fintechs, web3 platforms, gaming studios; supports both institutional and developer audiences
- Recent Milestones:
- $16M Series A funding closed in January 2025, dedicated to scaling wallet infrastructure and increasing market reach ([Source](https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/funding/dfns-secures-16m-to-expand-its-crypto-wallet-infrastructure-for-finance/))
- Best Digital Asset Custody Technology Vendor of the Year, Future of Finance Awards (June 2025)
- Winner, Viva Technology Startups Challenge (2021)
- Added support for IBM HSMs, enhancing modularity and institutional compliance (June 2025)
- Emphasis on proprietary cryptography layers and key management innovations ([Clarisse’s 2025 analysis](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/clarissehagege_every-founder-faces-this-dilemma-build-the-activity-7331786043744018432-iv8U))
Expertise and Thought Leadership
- Domains: Cryptography (MPC-based infrastructures), institutional-grade crypto custody, zero-trust security, regulated digital asset markets
- Recognized as: "Most intelligent, skilled and empathetic leader" (peer reference, Nore Eckerberg); "ultra-graduate in finance, politics, economics... entrepreneur at the nexus of payments and deep security" (peer reference, Christopher Grilhault)
- Key Interests: Secure infrastructure innovation, regulatory frameworks, digital asset ecosystems, decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins, AI and blockchain convergence
Key Public Contributions:
- Frequent podcast guest and interviewee (Techstars, This Week in Fintech, Digital Assets Podcast, Money Never Sleeps)
- Sought-after speaker and panelist at global fintech, blockchain, and digital asset events (Fintech Meetup 2025, Barcelona EBC23, Paris Blockchain Week, Station F, Viva Tech 2021, NFT.NYC Berlin)
- Provides thought leadership on cryptography choices and security approaches for institutional and consumer wallets ([Example](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/clarissehagege_every-founder-faces-this-dilemma-build-the-activity-7331786043744018432-iv8U))
- Commentary on the evolution of crypto wallet infrastructure and the regulatory landscape, including U.S. and European challenges and opportunities (EBC23, 2025 panels)
Education, Certifications, and Languages
- Education:
- Alumna, New York University (2010–2011)
- Additional advanced studies in France (2008–2010)
- Professional Certifications:
- Lutte contre le blanchiment et le financement du terrorisme appliquée aux actifs numériques (Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), August 2023)
- Certification Professionnelle des Acteurs de Marchés - AMF (AMF, January 2018)
- U.S. FINRA: Series 63, Series 7, Series 79 (all January 2015)
- Languages:
- French: Native or bilingual proficiency
- English: Native or bilingual proficiency
- Spanish: Professional proficiency
Network and Influence
- LinkedIn network: 9,000+ followers, 500+ direct connections
- Industry Collaborations: Engaged with major fintech, web3, and digital asset organizations (Chainalysis, Techstars, ADAN, Station F)
- Key References: Recognized by investors and senior industry peers for exceptional competence and leadership
- Community Engagement: Regularly interacts in the European and U.S. fintech and blockchain startup ecosystems; visible advocate for secure, compliant digital asset solutions
Notable Achievements & Awards
- Dfns Series A: $16M round (January 2025)
- Best Digital Asset Custody Technology Vendor (Future of Finance Awards, June 2025)
- Winner, Viva Technology Startup Challenge (2021)
- Future 40 Selection, Station F Founders Program (2021)
Strategic Insights
Clarisse Hagège’s decisive influence over Dfns’ product roadmap and commercial focus, combined with her experience as both an investor and hands-on security architect, positions her as an optimal executive counterpart for enterprise solutions that demand a blend of regulatory rigor, technical innovation, and global scalability. Her leadership is marked by a proactive, intellectually driven approach to partnership and ecosystem-building, and she is actively involved in advancing the custody, compliance, and cryptography standards that drive institutional adoption in digital assets. Hagège’s advocacy for modularity (e.g., IBM HSM support) and security best practices reflect a forward-looking orientation likely to prioritize resilience in vendor and stakeholder relationships.
References
- [Clarisse Hagège LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissehagege)
- [Dfns - Company Speaker Profile](https://www.dfns.co/speaker/clarisse-hagege)
- [Dfns Secures $16M Series A](https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/funding/dfns-secures-16m-to-expand-its-crypto-wallet-infrastructure-for-finance/)
- [Award Recognition - LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/clarissehagege_new-award-for-dfns-last-night-dfns-activity-7341872522650415104-DtPP)
For additional insight into Hagège’s decision-making style or Dfns’ strategic direction, refer to recent interviews (e.g., Halborn Digest, June 2025), and industry analysis on her preferred technical and regulatory approaches.
