Juicyway, an African fintech leveraging stablecoin technology for fast, cost-effective cross-border payments, has emerged from stealth mode following three years of operation. During this period, the startup processed over $1.3 billion in transaction volume through 25,000 transactions for 4,000 users—without a public-facing app or any marketing efforts.
The company’s customer base includes prominent clients such as Bolt, Piggyvest, Afriex, and Mocoh SA, acquired through organic growth and the acquisition of a similar business. Now, with a $3 million pre-seed funding round led by P1 Ventures and other investors, Juicyway is launching its web and mobile platforms to scale its impact.
Juicyway simplifies global transactions by utilizing stablecoins like USDT and USDC to bypass the inefficiencies of traditional fiat transfers. Instead of direct currency exchanges, deposited funds are converted to stablecoins, which are then sent to users’ wallets for local currency exchange. This process significantly lowers costs, accelerates transfers, and offers flexibility, particularly in Africa’s volatile currency environments.
The fintech also addresses Africa’s currency liquidity gap, which limits the continent’s participation in the $5 trillion global foreign exchange market. Through real-time exchange rates and access to liquidity pools, Juicyway supports currencies like the Nigerian naira, USD, GBP, and CAD, fostering transparent pricing and reducing remittance costs.
Recognizing the regulatory challenges surrounding cryptocurrencies, Juicyway has obtained money transmitter licenses in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Nigeria. Partnerships with institutions like Access Bank (Nigeria), Lead Bank (U.S.), and stablecoin infrastructure startup Bridge further strengthen compliance and risk mitigation efforts.
Juicyway employs advanced compliance solutions, such as KYC, KYB, and KYT tools, to detect fraud and money laundering risks. The company has also diversified its banking and payment partners to safeguard operations against disruptions, as evidenced by recent industry incidents like the Synapse debacle.
Juicyway’s founders, Justin Ziegler and Ife Johnson, drew inspiration from their experiences at companies like Andela and Bamboo, where they encountered significant hurdles in cross-border financial operations. Their goal with Juicyway is to make the global economy more accessible to Africans, focusing on product innovation and compliance as core priorities.
“Our North Star is increasing access for Africans to the global economy,” says Johnson, Juicyway’s CEO. “We’re building a platform that meets the needs of both businesses and individuals at the supply and demand ends of the cross-border payment ecosystem.”
Juicyway joins a growing wave of startups applying stablecoin technology to cross-border payments, including Yellow Card (which recently raised $33 million), Conduit, and YC-backed Waza. While Johnson views these companies as allies in transforming the ecosystem, Juicyway differentiates itself by focusing on stablecoin orchestration and real-time liquidity management.
The fintech’s revenues are currently derived from transaction fees (ranging from 0.2% to 10%) and will expand to include interest on customer balances. With plans to secure additional licenses in other African markets, Juicyway aims to become a primary platform for seamlessly converting African currencies into local and global equivalents.
As stablecoin adoption continues to reshape cross-border payments globally, Juicyway’s compliance-led approach, diverse partner network, and focus on liquidity-driven solutions position it as a leader in Africa’s emerging fintech landscape. By enhancing access to the global economy, Juicyway is not only addressing long-standing financial barriers but also empowering African businesses and individuals to thrive on the world stage.
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