Highlights
- Strategic partnership between Abroad and Decaf to deliver real-time, stablecoin-powered payments in Colombia
- Funds now settle from USDC on Stellar to Nequi in under three seconds, offering immediate local access
- Collaboration addresses a key financial challenge: delayed, costly, and unreliable cash access for users in high-remittance markets
Abroad Partners with Decaf to Redefine Cash Access and Cross-Border Payments in Colombia
Bogotá, 6th of May 2025 – Abroad, the cross-border finance platform simplifying global payments for modern businesses, is pleased to announce its partnership with Decaf, a wallet making stablecoins accessible across Latin America. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in Abroad’s mission to provide instant, seamless, and cost-effective international payments powered by USDC on the Stellar blockchain.
By working with Decaf, Abroad enhances its reach and impact in Latin America by enabling users to send and receive funds that settle locally in seconds, bridging the final mile of digital finance for real-world use.
"Our mission at Abroad is to remove the friction from cross-border payments, especially in regions where speed and access are not a luxury: they’re a necessity," said Esteban Quintero, CEO of Abroad. "Working with Decaf allows us to reach people where they are, through platforms they already trust."
"We have never seen this speed when settling from USDC to a local currency, it is Instant!" said Laura Martinez, Business Manager at Decaf. "This partnership bridges the gap and brings digital finance into the real world at lightning speed"
Use Case: From Seconds to Success – Real-World Impact
This partnership is already delivering results. In recent weeks, Abroad successfully completed real-time payments from USDC on Stellar to Nequi, Colombia’s popular local payment system. The transaction took less than three seconds from initiation to completion, offering a level of speed and efficiency that traditional cross-border payment systems struggle to achieve.
For example, a user could receive USDC from a family member abroad, with the funds arriving in their Nequi wallet converted in COP within seconds, ready to be used for essential purchases like groceries. No delays, no cash-out agents, no added stress. What previously took days can now happen in real time, offering a glimpse of the tangible impact this partnership aims to deliver.
For businesses and wallets operating in Colombia and across Latin America, this means instant settlement times, significantly reduced transaction costs, and a reliable alternative to outdated payment rails.
And this is just the beginning. Abroad is preparing to extend this model to more countries and payment systems, targeting key growth markets where speed and cost make a world of difference, whether it’s paying remote teams, suppliers, or providing financial services in regions where traditional banking is slow or inaccessible.
What’s Next?
Abroad and Decaf are already working on additional integrations and educational initiatives aimed at expanding access to instant payments. The next phase will focus on:
- Scaling instant stablecoin payments for wallets in Latin America
- Enabling new use cases like payroll, supplier payments, and remittances
- Collaborating on thought leadership and knowledge-sharing initiatives to drive adoption of digital payments
"We’re showing that moving money across borders doesn’t have to be hard, slow, or expensive," said Quintero. "And with Decaf, we’re just getting started."
Laura Martinez adds: “This partnership allows the fastest USDC to COP conversion we have never seen before”.
About Decaf
Decaf is a wallet platform that brings stablecoins to everyday users across Latin America. Focused on simplicity and local usability, Decaf helps users access and use digital dollars with confidence and control. By connecting users to local payout systems, Decaf is helping make stablecoins practical, spendable, and powerful for real-world financial needs.
For more information, visit www.decaf.so
About Abroad
Abroad is building the future of cross-border payments. Our mission is to simplify and accelerate global transactions by providing businesses with a seamless, secure, and cost-effective payment infrastructure. By leveraging blockchain technology and stablecoins, Abroad enables instant payments that work anytime, anywhere - eliminating traditional barriers like high fees, long settlement times, and lack of transparency.
Whether you’re a fast-growing startup or an established enterprise expanding into new markets, Abroad gives you the tools to move money globally with confidence. Our platform is designed to empower businesses to scale without borders, making international payments as easy as sending a local transfer.
Abroad is committed to financial inclusion and creating a more equitable global economy, working closely with partners and ecosystems like Stellar and Circle to drive innovation in digital finance.
For more information, visit https://www.abroad.finance
Media Contact
Rosa Schmidt, Global Branding at Abroad / DEFEM Agency
📧 rosa@defemagency.com / rosa@abroad.finance
