Koywe

Koywe is a Miami, FL-based fintech company offering payment APIs and SDKs for crypto services, specializing in on and off ramps for Latin America. It facilitates cross-border payments via blockchain for developers, companies, and SMBs across 5 countries, including Chile, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and the USA. The company, with 7 employees, secured a $2.5 million seed round in January 2023, with early funding also coming from Cristóbal Piñera's VC fund. Co-founder Ignacio Detmer (ex-Frontier Car Group) and Guillermo Acuña (co-founder Cumplo) lead the company. Koywe expanded into North America by acquiring Chilean fintech Facto, founded by Mickle Foretic, in April 2024. It was founded in 2022 by Ignacio Detmer and Guillermo Acuña. Its business model centers on not specified in available sources.

High-Level Overview

Koywe is a Latin America-focused crypto infrastructure company that provides compliant, easy-to-integrate on and off-ramp APIs and SDKs for converting between local fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies, particularly stablecoins. Its platform serves fintechs, web3 projects, payment service providers, and businesses by enabling seamless remittances, USD wallets, investments, and cross-border payments with local currency support in countries like Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina. Koywe addresses the problem of financial exclusion and high transaction costs in Latin America by offering fast, affordable, and regulatory-compliant crypto payment rails, helping millions gain access to digital financial services and bridging traditional banking with the emerging crypto economy[3][7][1].

Origin Story

Founded in 2022 by Ignacio Detmer and his team, Koywe emerged from a deep understanding of Latin America's financial challenges and the founders' 15 years of startup experience. The idea was born from the need to simplify access to crypto infrastructure in a region where existing processes were cumbersome and fragmented. Early traction included launching local on/off ramps in key LATAM countries and securing partnerships with global players like Stables and Borderless.xyz, which expanded their liquidity and payment network reach. The company also acquired Facto to strengthen its US presence and enhance invoicing and payment solutions for SMBs, marking pivotal growth milestones[3][7][1][2].

Core Differentiators

• Product Differentiators: Fully compliant, modular APIs and SDKs that support both GraphQL and REST, enabling quick integration for developers to build crypto-enabled financial services.
• Developer Experience: Simple, well-documented interfaces designed for ease of use, allowing fintechs and web3 projects to leverage crypto without complex onboarding.
• Speed & Pricing: Real-time settlement with competitive spreads and local currency support, reducing costs and delays typical in cross-border payments.
• Community Ecosystem: Strategic partnerships with stablecoin platforms like Stables and integration into Borderless.xyz’s global network, enhancing liquidity and reach across LATAM.
• Regulatory Compliance: Local compliance in each country ensures secure and legal operations, a critical factor in Latin America's diverse regulatory landscape[3][2][1].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Koywe rides the wave of rapid crypto adoption in Latin America, where countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico rank high in global crypto adoption indexes due to currency devaluation and financial exclusion. The timing is crucial as LATAM fintech is booming, and demand for efficient, low-cost cross-border payments and remittances is soaring. By providing infrastructure that connects traditional finance with crypto, Koywe enables new business models and financial inclusion, influencing the broader ecosystem by making crypto payments mainstream and accessible for businesses and individuals alike[1][3][2].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Koywe is positioned to become a foundational infrastructure player in Latin America’s crypto-financial ecosystem. Its next steps likely include expanding its geographic footprint, deepening liquidity partnerships, and enhancing product offerings such as invoicing and payment automation for SMBs, especially with its US market ambitions post-Facto acquisition. Trends shaping its journey include increasing stablecoin adoption, regulatory clarity in LATAM, and growing demand for seamless fiat-crypto interoperability. Koywe’s influence is expected to grow as it helps democratize financial services, making crypto a practical tool for everyday transactions and cross-border commerce across the Americas[7][2][3].

In summary, Koywe is not just a crypto on/off ramp; it is a critical infrastructure enabler driving financial inclusion and innovation in Latin America’s evolving digital economy.