Lipaworld is transforming remittances and small-business payments through its digital voucher marketplace. Circle’s USDC provides the trusted payment stablecoin infrastructure that enables Lipaworld to deliver on its mission.
A global, distributed economy brings with it its own unique set of challenges. Millions of immigrants, freelancers, and small business owners today struggle to send or receive payments quickly and securely across borders. Fees, delays, and limited access to financial tools can make moving money even harder than earning it. Lipaworld, a stablecoin-powered neobank, was created to change that.
Built for individuals and businesses, Lipaworld enables users to earn, spend, and support their recipients wherever they are — no bank account required. Lipaworld’s work, supported by USDC1 and Circle infrastructure, shows how trusted payment stablecoins are helping communities reclaim financial control and redefine what equitable access really means.
“We wanted to go beyond moving money,” said Lipaworld co-founder Jonathan Katende. “We wanted to change livelihoods.”
Sending more than money
When Katende first arrived in New York, he faced a challenge familiar to many immigrants: a lack of a credit history, and no access to a bank account. That experience inspired him to build Lipaworld, which — in addition to supporting cross-border payments and remittances — has grown to help users:
- Pay utility bills
- Buy groceries from afar
- Send vouchers to loved ones across the world
- Facilitate payroll and help users earn dollarized income
By linking remittances to real-world needs, users can feel confident knowing that recipients are receiving essentials and the security that comes with them. People of all ages and backgrounds have connected with that opportunity.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised to see users over the age of 70 downloading our app,” said Katende.
Trust built on stable ground
Lipaworld’s impact is, at its core, a human one. And supporting that human story is the powerful digital foundation that is USDC, a USD-denominated stablecoin issued by regulated affiliates of Circle. Lipaworld integrates USDC to enable global, near-instant payments without the delays typically associated with traditional banking.
“Circle has always been the Rolls-Royce when it comes to stablecoins,” said Katende. “We wanted to make sure that we could work with a trusted stablecoin provider.”
By using USDC, Lipaworld bypasses legacy systems that often trap value in high fees or long settlement times. Transactions that once took days now clear in seconds, freeing small businesses to grow and families to plan confidently.
“USDC gives people a payment stablecoin they can actually trust,” said Elisabeth Carpenter, Circle’s Chief Strategic Engagement Officer. “By building on Circle’s infrastructure, Lipaworld is able to push its impact further and deeper — empowering its users and their communities.”
That empowerment is visible on the ground. We can see it in places like Zimbabwe, where Lipaworld’s recently launched on-demand grocery delivery service allows users abroad to shop remotely for family essentials. The impact reaches beyond convenience: it supports local merchants while reducing cash risk and strengthening communities.
“When people can save, send, and spend with confidence — without friction or fear — they are better able to pursue their potential,” said Carpenter. “What Lipaworld is doing shows how technology can serve people, not just systems.”
Building toward shared prosperity with Lipaworld and USDC
Lipaworld’s journey — from a founder’s lived experience to a platform built for scale — demonstrates how stablecoin innovation can deliver tangible human outcomes. It offers a glimpse of a world where remittances arrive nearly instantly, merchants thrive across borders, and families experience the dignity of financial inclusion.
1. USDC is issued by regulated affiliates of Circle. A list of Circle’s regulatory authorizations can be found here.
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