Caliza: Bringing Real-Time Payments to Latin America with USDC
Real-time payments are becoming increasingly common for individuals and businesses, but cross-border transactions still face delays. Caliza, a startup founded in 2021, aims to change this by offering an alternative to traditional SWIFT transfers in Latin America.
Caliza's solution utilizes USDC (Circle's reserve-backed stablecoin) and existing real-time payment networks to facilitate instant transfers. It provides international merchants with U.S. digital dollar accounts and offers an API and front-end payment system for seamless integration.
The company recently raised $8.5 million in funding led by Initialized Capital, marking the VC firm's first LatAm-focused investment. This investment will enable Caliza to expand its team, launch operations in Mexico, and meet regulatory requirements.
Caliza's strategy is to empower businesses and individuals by providing access to instant and stable liquidity. The company's founder, Ezra Kebrab, emphasizes the need for faster transactions, particularly in Latin America, where delays can cost businesses valuable time and money.
Brazil's digital payment scheme, Pix, has paved the way for real-time transactions, but cross-border payments still pose a challenge. Caliza's focus on integrating with existing banking systems positions it to cater to both individuals and businesses for remittances, payroll, and international trade.
The company sees great potential in Latin America and plans to expand its services to other regions like Africa. With its commitment to regulatory compliance and its focus on stablecoin-based transactions, Caliza is well-positioned to become a key player in the evolving landscape of cross-border payments.
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