← State of Embedded Finance 2026

Cellpay

Can a prepaid wireless and bill payment aggregator become the essential financial services access point for underbanked and cash-preferred consumers through retail distribution and embedded finance partnerships?

Founded2016
HQStafford, Texas, United States
IndustryFintech / Cross-border payments
The story

Founded in 2016 as a prepaid wireless recharge and bill payment aggregator for independent retailers, CellPay built an API-first platform connecting neighborhood stores to 80,000+ billers, wireless top-ups, and gift card distribution. In 2022, the company added embedded BNPL via Klarna to serve underbanked consumers paying for prepaid cell minutes — a notable product extension targeting financial inclusion. The 2025 acquisition of Tila Top Up accelerated physical retail expansion while the company operates separate entity brands (app.cellpay.com / HaitiPay for Haiti; cellpay.com.np operated by Cellcom Pvt Ltd for Nepal), revealing a fragmented multi-geography footprint under a common brand.

Last 12 months
2025-12
Product timeline
2016
CellPay founded in Stafford, Texas as a prepaid wireless recharge and bill payment platform for independent retailers.· pivot
2022
Partnered with Klarna to offer Buy Now Pay Later 'Pay in 4' option on prepaid cell phone minute purchases — first BNPL product for underbanked prepaid wireless consumers in the US.· lending
2025
Announced acquisition of Tila Top Up, expanding nationwide retail access and merchant footprint to accelerate financial inclusion for cash-preferred and underserved consumers.· acquisition
The stack
Lending
Klarna Pay in 4 (BNPL on prepaid cell phone minutes)
Accounting gap: none