OM DENNE EPISODE
Access to stable money shouldn’t be a privilege — it should be a right. In this episode of the Builder Series, we sit down with Rubén Galindo Steckel, CEO and Co-Founder of Airtm*, to discuss how his company is transforming financial access across the LATAM.
Rubén shares how Airtm, with Circle’s USDC, is helping individuals and businesses securely move money, earn income in a stable currency, and access global opportunities.
But Airtm’s impact goes beyond payments. When COVID-19 hit, doctors and nurses in Venezuela were left unpaid, unable to access their wages due to financial restrictions. That’s when Airtm and Circle stepped in with a groundbreaking USDC-powered solution. What happened next? You won’t want to miss it!
*Circle Ventures, an affiliate of Circle Internet Financial, LLC, has invested in Airtm
(01:57) Rubén’s fintech journey begins with an internship at a crypto exchange, revealing the need for better financial solutions.
(03:46) Motivated by a sense of justice and respect for freedom, Airtm was founded to help bring access to stable currencies.
(05:33) In 2015, Airtm launched one of the first stablecoin wallets, enabling unrestricted access to stable currency.
(13:22) Users in the Global South are willing to pay up to 30% in fees just to access funds quickly, exposing banking inefficiencies.
(24:37) Airtm partners with Circle to transfer US Dollars via USDC to Venezuelan healthcare workers.
(36:05) Airtm shifts focus from financial freedom to financial independence, helping users earn in USDC.
(47:58) AI-driven platforms and blockchain payments create new freelance opportunities in developing countries.
(52:42) Traditional cross-border payments are becoming commoditized, leading to the unbundling of services.
Resources Mentioned:
Rubén Galindo Steckel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rub%C3%A9n-galindo-steckel-0860176a/?originalSubdomain=mx
Airtm LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/airtm/
https://www.airtm.com/
https://www.circle.com/
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