Tag: a16z

Zar Secures $7M to Let You Swap Cash for Stablecoins at Local Stores — Real-World Crypto Utility Is Here

Brandon Timinsky, ex-CEO of SadaPay, just pulled a massive move — raising $7 million to launch Zar, a startup on a mission to bring stablecoins to the real world via your local corner shop. Backed by heavy hitters like a16z, Dragonfly Capital, VanEck Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, and even the Solana founders, Zar’s trying to flip how emerging markets do money.

Zar

The vision? Let anyone trade physical cash for stablecoins like USDT or USDC at everyday stores, using just their phone and a QR code. That’s right — Zar wants to turn your favorite corner shop into a straight-up crypto exchange.

The Plan: Real Cash Meets Digital Dollars

Zar’s play is simple but bold. In regions where banking sucks and cash rules, stablecoins can offer financial freedom. By tapping into a global network of 28 million+ mobile money agents who already process $1.5 trillion outside banks, Zar is bridging TradFi and DeFi.

Users walk into a participating shop, scan a QR code, check the exchange rate and vendor ratings, and hand over cash. In return, stablecoins drop into their digital wallet. Shopkeepers earn from rate margins, and Zar takes a small cut.

Already, 7,000 vendors in 20+ countries (including Pakistan, Nigeria, Argentina, and Indonesia) are hyped. Plus, nearly 100,000 people are chilling on the waitlist.

🌍 Why This Hits Hard in the Global South

Timinsky ain’t targeting the U.S. — where banking is boringly stable and crypto’s mostly an investment. Zar’s eyes are locked on emerging markets, where local currencies are volatile, and financial access is trash.

And the timing couldn’t be better. Stablecoins now sit at a $238B market cap, and according to Citigroup, that number could explode 10x to $2T by 2030. They say regulations and institutional demand will be key drivers.

Already, active stablecoin wallets surged from 19.6M to 30M in just a year — a solid 53% jump that shows real-world adoption isn’t just hype.

What’s Next for Zar?

The $7M war chest will help Zar expand the team, set up new global offices, and polish the tech before its planned late-summer launch.

If this works, Zar could be the Venmo of the unbanked, offering a permissionless, borderless way to store and transfer value in an increasingly digital economy.

TL;DR

  • Zar raises $7M to let anyone swap cash for stablecoins at stores worldwide.
  • Backed by a16z, Solana founders, Coinbase Ventures, and more.
  • Taps into 28M+ mobile money agents, targeting emerging markets like Nigeria & Argentina.
  • Nearly 100k users on waitlist, 7k vendors already on board.
  • Stablecoin market could hit $2T by 2030, says Citi.
  • Launch planned for late summer 2025.

You might find interesting: What Happened in the Crypto World Today? (April 29, 2025)

a16z Shifts Focus to U.S., Halts UK Crypto Plans Post-Trump Victory

a16z ditches UK crypto plans, backs Trump’s pro-crypto vibes, shifting focus to U.S. as Bitcoin hits $109K.

Silicon Valley’s Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is switching things up, pulling back on UK crypto moves and turning its focus to the U.S. Why? Trump’s back in the White House, and his pro-crypto stance has the industry buzzing. His administration’s new executive order pushes digital assets and hints at creating a national crypto reserve.

a16z, which opened its first international office in London back in 2023, is now scaling down operations there. The firm’s founders, Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, are riding the Trump train, even advising on policies. Meanwhile, Sriram Krishnan, who used to lead a16z’s London game, joined Trump’s squad last year.

Trump’s return as the 47th president has brought big crypto energy, with promises of lighter regulations and a focus on innovation. Binance’s CZ even tweeted that the U.S. is back in the game, forcing other countries to step up. Bitcoin felt the hype, skyrocketing to $109K on inauguration day—its highest ever.

Though a16z might still back UK projects from across the pond, their local presence was never major. With $43B in assets, they’ve supported names like Arweave and Aztec, but now it’s all about chasing U.S. crypto dreams.

Also Read: Ripple Pushes for April 16, 2025 Deadline in Ongoing SEC Battle

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