The Vision Behind
Hansel's Unique
Gifting Experience

Long before the age of digital wallets, 'Hansel' was the term used to describe the gesture of placing a coin in a new purse or wallet, a small gesture that signified good luck in new beginnings.

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The story behind the word Hansel

Long before digital wallets existed, the word 'hansel' carried a special meaning across these islands. To 'hansel' a new purse or wallet was to place a coin inside before it was ever used. This simple gesture wasn’t just tradition. It was a wish of good fortune, a hopeful start and a reminder that good luck is something we share.

The word comes from the Old English 'handselen' or 'handsel' meaning 'to place in one’s hand,' and for centuries hansels were exchanged at New Year, on someone’s first day of business, or whenever a new chapter began. This tradition is still observed in Scotland today as 'Hansel Monday' which falls on the first Monday of each New Year.

At Hansel, we’re bringing that ritual into the digital age. Just as people once gave a first coin to mark a meaningful beginning, we make it easy to send a modern gift with the same intention and thoughtfulness. Hansel isn’t just a transfer. It’s a connection. It’s practical, personal, and rooted in the spirit of good wishes that inspired the tradition in the first place.

Every gift carries a touch of good luck, a moment of care and a reminder that the best gifts are always about the thought behind them.

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Why Hansel Matters Today…

In a fast-paced digital world, it’s easy to forget the power of small, meaningful gestures. At Hansel, we’re bringing that spirit back by reimagining how we gift, connect, and wish each other well. Whether you’re celebrating a newborn, marking a fresh start, or simply saying “thinking of you,” Hansel is a modern way to share something thoughtful when it matters most.

Michael Mulhall, Founder & CEO

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Our Founders

Hansel was born from a simple but frustrating moment. When Hansel's founder Michael Mulhall tried to send a cash wedding gift abroad, the process felt impersonal and awkward. Determined to make cash gifting more thoughtful and seamless, Michael teamed up with Paul Byrne to create Hansel.

Hansel is a digital wallet and virtual Mastercard built for celebrating life’s special moments. Every gift arrives instantly on a personalised card with custom images or video messages and is added to one secure account balance. For everyday convenience, Hansel works effortlessly with Apple Pay and Google Pay on your mobile device.

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Michael Mulhall

Co-Founder & CEO

Michael is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hansel. After more than two decades in fintech, he founded Hansel to reimagine how people send monetary gifts digitally...

Paul ByrneLinkedIn

Paul Byrne

Co-Founder

Paul is Co-Founder and Director of Hansel. He is an accomplished fintech innovator and leader. He is the former CEO of CurrencyFair and CFO of Trintech, two international payments businesses he successfully scaled globally...

Advisors

John DeelyLinkedIn

John Deely

Talent Advisor

John is a seasoned talent acquisition expert with a proven record in identifying, attracting and onboarding top talent...

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Peter Daly

Strategic Advisor

Peter is an experienced fintech executive and growth strategist. He has built and scaled payment technology businesses across the globe...

Russell BurkeLinkedIn

Russell Burke

Strategic Advisor

Russell Burke is one of Ireland’s leading payments experts with over 47 years experience in banking and payments.

Ready to start gifting?

When words aren’t enough, Hansel it. Download the Hansel app now to start sending cash gifts from the heart.

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