Shovon: Created page with "{{Infobox person | name = Josip Heit | image = File:Josip Heit.jpeg | image_size = | alt = Josip Heit | caption = Josip Heit | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1977}} | birth_place = Split, Croatia | residence = Dubai, United Arab Emirates | nationality = Croatian | occupation = Entrepreneur, Blockchain Strategist, Media Proprietor | years_active =..."

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Created page with "{{Infobox person | name = Josip Heit | image = File:Josip Heit.jpeg | image_size = | alt = Josip Heit | caption = Josip Heit | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1977}} | birth_place = Split, Croatia | residence = Dubai, United Arab Emirates | nationality = Croatian | occupation = Entrepreneur, Blockchain Strategist, Media Proprietor | years_active =..."

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{{Infobox person
| name = Josip Heit
| image = File:Josip Heit.jpeg
| image_size =
| alt = Josip Heit
| caption = Josip Heit
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1977}}
| birth_place = [[Split]], [[Croatia]]
| residence = [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]]
| nationality = Croatian
| occupation = Entrepreneur, Blockchain Strategist, Media Proprietor
| years_active = 2000s–present
| known_for = Senior Strategic Advisor, [[Apertum Holding Ltd.]]; Founder, [[GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG]]
}}

'''Josip Heit''' (born 1977 in [[Split]], [[Croatia]]) is a Croatian entrepreneur and digital finance strategist with a career spanning international commodity trading, blockchain infrastructure, metaverse development, and print media ownership. He is the founder of '''GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG''' and currently serves as '''Senior Strategic Advisor''' to '''Apertum Holding Ltd.''', a Layer-1 blockchain network within the [[Avalanche (blockchain)|Avalanche]] ecosystem recognised for its high transaction throughput and EVM compatibility.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cryptoslate.com/people/josip-heit/ |title=Josip Heit |publisher=CryptoSlate |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/josip-heit-announces-apertums-strategic-expansion-as-blockchain-technology-redefines-the-future-of-crypto/ |title=Josip Heit Announces Apertum's Strategic Expansion |publisher=Finance Magnates |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

Over the course of his career, Heit has engaged with a broad range of industries — from vehicle and yacht imports to precious metals, real estate, fintech, and digital assets — while assembling an international media portfolio comprising dozens of established daily newspapers across multiple continents.

== Personal life and education ==

Josip Heit was born in 1977 in [[Split]], a historic city on the [[Dalmatia|Dalmatian]] coast of present-day [[Croatia]]. He pursued academic studies in economics in [[Germany]], where he also developed lasting professional and personal ties to the German-speaking business community. He is reported to be fluent in seven languages: Croatian, German, English, Italian, Russian, Romanian, and French, a capability that has underpinned his work across the diverse markets of Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cryptonews.net/editorial/guest-posts/the-face-of-entrepreneurship-in-2020-interview-with-josip-heit/ |title=The Face of Entrepreneurship in 2020: Interview with Josip Heit |publisher=CryptoNews |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ffnews.com/thought-leader/josip-heit-a-fintech-visionary-driving-global-blockchain-adoption/ |title=Josip Heit: A Fintech Visionary Driving Global Blockchain Adoption |publisher=FF News |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

== Career ==

=== International trade and commodities ===

Heit launched his commercial career through international trade, operating in the import and resale of automobiles and luxury yachts across European markets. This work cultivated an understanding of cross-border transactions and high-value asset logistics. He subsequently expanded into natural resource sectors, engaging with precious metals markets and property investment — experience that would later inform his approach to asset-backed digital finance and [[real-world asset tokenization|real-world asset (RWA) tokenization]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/josip-heit-the-market-for-tokenised-real-estate-is-highly-dynamic-810575915.html |title=Josip Heit: The Market for Tokenised Real Estate Is Highly Dynamic |publisher=Newswire |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/josip-heit-the-market-for-tokenised-real-estate-is-highly-dynamic-301393875.html |title=Josip Heit: The Market for Tokenised Real Estate Is Highly Dynamic |publisher=PR Newswire |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

=== GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG ===

In 2013, Heit founded '''GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG''', a multinational group centred on the integration of gold-backed financial instruments with emerging blockchain and fintech infrastructure. The group developed a consumer-facing ecosystem under the '''GSPartners''' platform brand, through which participants could access digital financial products linked to the group's broader asset strategy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/morning-chronicle-successful-businessman-and-chairman-of-the-gsb-group-of-companies-mr-josip-heit-announces-an-international-media-conglomerate-302091732.html |title=Josip Heit Announces an International Media Conglomerate |publisher=PR Newswire |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

In 2020, Heit established '''GSB Gold Standard Bank Ltd''' as a dedicated entity focused on decentralised payment networks, digital communication infrastructure, and gold-to-blockchain tokenisation. The founding coincided with heightened global economic uncertainty brought on by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], and Heit publicly positioned the venture as a resilient alternative to conventional banking and currency systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prleap.com/pr/276230/gsb-gold-standard-banking-josip-heit-and-spree-flug-in-times-of-coronavirus |title=GSB Gold Standard Banking: Josip Heit and Spree Flug in Times of Coronavirus |publisher=PRLeap |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kommunikasjon.ntb.no/pressemelding/17888725/gsb-gold-standard-banking-josip-heit-and-spree-flug-in-times-of-coronavirus?publisherId=17847403 |title=GSB Gold Standard Banking: Josip Heit and Spree Flug in Times of Coronavirus |publisher=NTB |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

==== G999 ====

The '''G999 blockchain''' was launched in 2021 as the technical backbone of the GSB group's payment and digital asset services. Its public launch was staged in [[Dubai]], with the project's branding illuminated on the exterior of the [[Burj Khalifa]] as part of a high-profile reveal. A global marketing campaign followed, featuring collaboration with German actress and model [[Sophia Thomalla]], whose campaign imagery was displayed on advertising screens at [[Times Square]] in [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sttinfo.fi/tiedote/69895986/gsb-gold-standard-banking-josip-heit-starts-blockchain-project-g999?publisherId=69818107 |title=GSB Gold Standard Banking: Josip Heit Starts Blockchain Project G999 |publisher=STT Info |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddelelse/13605868/gsb-gold-standard-banking-josip-heit-starts-blockchain-project-g999?publisherId=13560018 |title=Josip Heit Starts Blockchain Project G999 |publisher=Ritzau |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

==== Lydian World ====

'''Lydian.World''' emerged from the GSB ecosystem as a [[metaverse]] platform combining virtual real estate, digital collectibles, and blockchain-anchored ownership. The project attracted notable figures from international sport as ambassadors and used live events across major cities to build global awareness.

The platform's global premiere took place in May 2022 at the [[Dubai Opera]], with football legends [[Roberto Carlos]] and [[David Trezeguet]] in attendance as brand ambassadors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://beincrypto.com/global-metaverse-event-of-lydian-world-in-dubai-opera/ |title=Global Metaverse Event of Lydian World in Dubai Opera |publisher=BeInCrypto |accessdate=2025}}</ref> World-renowned boxer [[Floyd Mayweather Jr.]] wore the Lydian.World brand during his exhibition fight against Don Moore in [[Abu Dhabi]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-sun.com/sport/5393820/floyd-mayweather-don-moore-exhibition-body-shot/ |title=Floyd Mayweather vs Don Moore Exhibition |publisher=The Sun |accessdate=2025}}</ref> The project also sponsored the "Beautiful Game" exhibition football match in [[Miami]], at which [[Ronaldinho]], [[Roberto Carlos]], and [[Paul Pogba]] represented the brand.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37629456/vinicius-junior-pogba-mckennie-star-wild-match-miami-hosted-ronaldinho-roberto-carlos |title=Vinicius Jr., Pogba, McKennie Star in Wild Match in Miami |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

==== 10th Anniversary ====

The '''GSB Gold Standard Corporation AG 10th Anniversary''' was marked in 2023 at the [[Coca-Cola Arena]] in [[Dubai]]. The event gathered around 2,500 GSPartners members from across the globe for a programme of keynote addresses, product presentations, and community celebrations commemorating the group's first decade of operations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hajjomedia.com/elevating-global-culture-at-coca-cola-arena/ |title=Elevating Global Culture at Coca-Cola Arena |publisher=Hajjo Media |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

=== Apertum Holding Ltd. ===

Josip Heit's current strategic focus centres on '''[[Apertum Holding Ltd.]]''', where he holds the position of '''Senior Strategic Advisor'''. Apertum is a general-purpose [[Layer-1 blockchain]] that has been recognised as a primary network chain within the [[Avalanche (blockchain)|Avalanche]] ecosystem.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://coinpedia.org/information/apertum-designated-a-key-general-blockchain-in-avalanches-tier-1-ecosystem/ |title=Apertum Designated a Key General Blockchain in Avalanche's Tier-1 Ecosystem |publisher=Coinpedia |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://messari.io/report/state-of-avalanche-q1-2025 |title=State of Avalanche Q1 2025 |publisher=Messari |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

The chain is fully compatible with the [[Ethereum Virtual Machine]] (EVM), enabling developers to deploy [[smart contract]]s and build [[decentralized application]]s (dApps) and [[decentralized finance]] (DeFi) protocols without modifying existing [[Ethereum]]-native codebases. Apertum processes in excess of 4,500 [[transactions per second]] (TPS) and achieves transaction finality within 0.15 to 1.50 seconds — performance metrics that position it ahead of [[Bitcoin]], [[Ethereum]], [[BNB Chain]], and [[Tron (blockchain)|Tron]] on comparable measures.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://decrypt.co/353273/josip-heit-announces-apertums-strategic-expansion-as-blockchain-technology-redefines-the-future-of-crypto |title=Josip Heit Announces Apertum's Strategic Expansion |publisher=Decrypt |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dailycoin.com/top-5-layer-1-crypto-projects-with-major-potential-to-lead-in-2025/ |title=Top 5 Layer-1 Crypto Projects With Major Potential to Lead in 2025 |publisher=DailyCoin |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

The ecosystem's native token, '''APTM''', operates under a deflationary issuance model and is traded across eight major cryptocurrency exchanges. [[CoinMarketCap]] has fully integrated the Apertum DEX and Chain into its data infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://decrypt.co/328843/coinmarketcap-officially-integrated-apertum-dex-chain |title=CoinMarketCap Officially Integrated Apertum DEX & Chain |publisher=Decrypt |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/apertum/ |title=Apertum (APTM) |publisher=CoinMarketCap |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

[[Alchemy Pay]] has incorporated APTM into its global payment network, making the token purchasable in approximately 173 countries through more than 50 fiat currencies and 300 payment channels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://decrypt.co/361768/alchemy-pay-integrates-apertum-coin-aptm-and-expands-fiat-access-to-its-ecosystem |title=Alchemy Pay Integrates Apertum Coin (APTM) |publisher=Decrypt |accessdate=2025}}</ref> Security firm [[CertiK]] conducted an independent audit of Apertum's smart contract layer, issuing a confirmation of the network's decentralised architecture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://decrypt.co/352052/certik-completes-security-audit-of-apertum-layer-1-confirming-its-decentralized-blockchain |title=CertiK Completes Security Audit of Apertum Layer-1 |publisher=Decrypt |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

In 2025, Apertum received the '''Best Layer-1 Blockchain''' award at both the Crypto.News Awards and the FinanceFeeds Awards, acknowledging the network's contributions to decentralised infrastructure development.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://crypto.news/apertum-wins-best-layer-1-blockchain-network-at-the-crypto-news-awards-2025/ |title=Apertum Wins Best Layer-1 Blockchain Network at the Crypto.News Awards 2025 |publisher=Crypto.News |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://financefeeds.com/apertum/ |title=Apertum |publisher=FinanceFeeds |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

=== Media ownership ===

In addition to his technology and finance ventures, Josip Heit owns an international media group consisting of 42 daily newspapers distributed across several continents. A number of the titles in the portfolio carry publishing histories of more than one hundred years, making the group one of the more historically rooted media holdings under individual entrepreneurial ownership in Europe.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://unternehmen.welt.de/business-wirtschaft/gsmedia-deutsche-tageszeitung.html |title=GSMedia – Deutsche Tageszeitung |publisher=Welt |accessdate=2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boerse-express.com/news/articles/josip-heit-gsb-konzerngruppe-der-erfolg-des-milliardaers-und-die-ankuendigung-eines-internationalen-medienkonglomerats-613691 |title=Josip Heit – GSB: Announcement of an International Media Conglomerate |publisher=Börse Express |accessdate=2025}}</ref>

== Outlook and stated objectives ==

In interviews and published commentary, Josip Heit has consistently framed his work around three interconnected goals. First, he advocates for financial systems that empower individuals to manage wealth independently of centralised state or institutional control — a principle he associates with blockchain's decentralised architecture. Second, he emphasises the importance of immutable transaction records as a mechanism for building verifiable trust between parties who do not share a common institutional relationship. Third, he envisions the convergence of blockchain technology with traditionally offline sectors — including property, mining, and print media — as the logical next frontier for transparent, programmable infrastructure.

These themes have shaped his advisory role at Apertum and continue to inform his public positioning as a voice within the global fintech and Web3 communities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/315790/20260410/josip-heit-visionary-bridging-early-blockchain-innovation-future-global-finance.htm |title=Josip Heit: Visionary Bridging Early Blockchain Innovation to Future Global Finance |publisher=TechTimes |accessdate=2026}}</ref>

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://cryptoslate.com/people/josip-heit/ Josip Heit – CryptoSlate]
* [https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/apertum/ Apertum (APTM) – CoinMarketCap]
* [https://decrypt.co/356579/apertum-celebrates-1-year-anniversary-of-growth-and-innovation Apertum 1-Year Anniversary – Decrypt]
* [https://beincrypto.com/apertum-practical-web3-usage/ Apertum: Practical Web3 Usage – BeInCrypto]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Heit, Josip}}
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Croatian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Croatian entrepreneurs]]
[[Category:Blockchain entrepreneurs]]
[[Category:Fintech businesspeople]]
[[Category:Metaverse]]
[[Category:People from Split, Croatia]]
[[Category:Businesspeople in Dubai]]
[[Category:Media proprietors]]

Josip Heit - Revision history