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Pyypl

Can a MENA-based, regulated, blockchain-powered wallet become the cross-border financial infrastructure layer for the 800M underbanked across the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia?

Founded2017
HQAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (ADGM)
IndustryFintech / Cross-border payments
The story

Pyypl launched in 2017 as a smartphone-first, non-bank digital wallet targeting the ~800M underbanked across MENA, Africa, and Central Asia, using blockchain in its core systems for compliance. The product evolved from consumer prepaid wallets and remittances toward a dual personal-and-business platform, adding micro-investment tooling in 2023 and securing Visa Principal Membership to offer BIN sponsorship and enterprise-grade payout infrastructure to other fintechs.

Last 12 months
Product timeline
0
Announced Visa Principal Membership and Trademark Licence enabling direct card issuance and BIN sponsorship.· card
2017
Founded in the UAE as a blockchain-based non-bank digital financial services app for the MENA region.· pivot
2023
Rolled out social, micro-investment platform for African entrepreneurs and micro-SMEs.· lending
Regulated entities
Money Services / Financial Services License
UAE (ADGM FSRA)
Pyypl Ltd (Licence No. 170031)
Financial Services License
Bahrain (Central Bank of Bahrain)
Pyypl
Financial Services License
Kazakhstan (AFSA)
Pyypl
Visa Principal Membership
Global (Visa)
Pyypl Ltd
The stack
Payments / PSP
Pyypl (self-operated wallet & payments)
Banking / BaaS
Pyypl Ltd (in-house, ADGM FSRA regulated)
Card issuing
Pyypl Ltd (self_issued, Visa Principal Member)
Lending
Pyypl (in-house)Pyypl social micro-investment platform
FX & payouts
Pyypl (in-house cross-border payouts to 30+ countries)
Accounting gap: minor