Fin Secures $17M to Challenge Banks with Stablecoin-Powered Transfers

Former Citadel engineers raise funding to launch Fin, a global payments platform built on stablecoin rails aimed at making high-value transfers faster, cheaper, and simpler.

Key Takeaways

• Fin, a new stablecoin-based payments app, raised $17 million in Series A funding led by Pantera Capital with backing from Sequoia Capital and Samsung Next.
• The app targets high-value, cross-border transactions, offering faster settlement and lower fees than traditional banking systems.
• Founders Ian Krotinsky and Aashiq Dheeraj, both ex-Citadel employees, say Fin simplifies crypto-powered payments for enterprises and individuals alike.
• The launch aligns with a broader institutional shift toward stablecoin infrastructure, including moves from JPMorgan, Citi, Visa, and Western Union.

What Happened?

Fin, a stablecoin-powered payments platform created by former Citadel engineers Ian Krotinsky and Aashiq Dheeraj, has raised $17 million to support the launch of its global payment service. The funding round was led by Pantera Capital and included investments from Sequoia Capital and Samsung Next.

The app is designed to make it easier and faster to transfer large sums of money across borders by combining the speed of crypto with the familiarity of traditional banking systems.

We’ve raised 17 million led by @PanteraCapital, with participation from @Sequoia and others.

Fin enables users and businesses to move millions of dollars instantly – whether to other Fin users, directly into bank accounts, or across crypto rails.

If banks and payment products… pic.twitter.com/RUg7UPV5Uf

— Fin (@fin) December 3, 2025

A New Player in Global Payments

Fin was born from the founders’ frustration with traditional international payment systems during their time at Citadel. The platform allows users to send funds to other Fin users, bank accounts, or crypto wallets. It focuses on instant settlement, low transaction costs, and a user-friendly interface that hides the complexity of blockchain technology.

• Transfers can be initiated to bank accounts, crypto wallets, or within the Fin app.
• The platform supports millions of dollars in transactions, making it suitable for import-export businesses and large financial operations.
• Revenue will be generated through transaction fees and interest earned on stablecoin holdings in Fin wallets.

The founders aim to challenge traditional financial institutions that have been slow to adopt stablecoin infrastructure. Krotinsky said:

Backing from Crypto and Tech Giants

Pantera Capital partner Ryan Barney praised the team for delivering crypto products that feel seamless and easy to use. He said:

Fin’s roots trace back to TipLink, an earlier venture from the same team, and the startup is currently preparing a pilot program focused on import-export businesses. These users often need to move large sums quickly and reliably, a key use case Fin is built to address.

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Momentum Builds in the Stablecoin Space

Fin’s launch comes amid a growing wave of institutional interest in stablecoin-powered payments:

• JPMorgan and Citigroup have both signaled intentions to develop their own stablecoin infrastructure.
• Visa announced it would support multiple stablecoins across four blockchains.
• Western Union plans to pilot a stablecoin-based settlement system for its 150 million customers.
• In Europe, ten major banks are forming a consortium to launch a euro-backed stablecoin by 2026.
• Sony Bank is also developing a USD-pegged token for its gaming and entertainment platforms.

In the United States, regulators are moving to formalize stablecoin standards. The FDIC is expected to release its first regulatory framework later this month under the GENIUS Act, setting rules for how stablecoin issuers can gain approval and operate under prudential guidelines.

CoinLaw’s Takeaway

I find Fin’s timing impeccable. The global payments space is being reshaped, and traditional banks are scrambling to keep up. In my experience, whenever legacy systems are slow to adapt, startups like Fin have the upper hand. By offering a product that combines the speed of crypto with the familiarity of traditional banking, Fin is making stablecoins more accessible without scaring off non-crypto users. It’s still early, but if they execute well, they could seriously shake up how large money moves around the world.