Hong Kong-based fintech startup XanPool is pleased to announce it has raised US$4.3 million in a Pre-A financing round led by blockchain technology and service provider OK Group, alongside Hashkey and Gumi Cryptos, to spearhead its infrastructure expansion into the eastern hemisphere.
XanPool’s payment infrastructure allows instant processing of traditional and cryptocurrencies without custody risk. Conventional crypto exchanges require long waiting times – several hours days to days – to clear deposits and withdrawals. Several high-profile exit scams in the space has led users to be wary of keeping substantial amounts of cryptocurrency on an exchange.
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XanPool C2C software enables users to settles their crypto-currency to local-currency trades in seconds instead of hours, without taking custody of customer funds throughout the entire process. This is done by having users run XanPool’s custom APIs, which are built into local payment solutions such as FPS in Hong Kong, IBFT in Pakistan, and InstaPay in the Philippines.
Essentially, the C2C technology allows individuals and businesses to participate in market-making between cryptocurrencies and the local currency by “plugging” their financial infrastructure (such as bank accounts and e-wallets) into the XanPool network. They will then join an extensive C2C network of over 500 liquidity providers across the Asia Pacific region.
XanPool currently has over 75,000 transacting users in over 8 South East Asian countries, and has plans to expand into Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand in the coming two quarters.
Commenting on the successful funding round, Estrella Du, a representative from OK Group’s Investment Department, said: “The Eastern Hemisphere has seen massive adoption of digital payments; we think XanPool’s first-principles reconsideration of crypto on and offboarding infrastructure can drive massive efficiency in the Asian ecosystem. OK Group is excited to partner with XanPool in building the next generation payment infrastructure.”
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Jeffery Liu, Chief Executive Officer at XanPool, said, “Our aim is to build the most affordable infrastructure for the processing and of cryptocurrency, and routing of local currency; the money raised will allow us to expand beyond Southeast Asia and reach out to a wider group of users on the Eastern Hemisphere.”
XanPool’s architecture has applications in cross-border payments as well, says Jeffrey. “Besides our geographical expansion, one of the focus areas for our next few quarters will be the traditional-online merchant payment space. Merchants across Asia are encumbered by legacy payments routing institutions, intermediaries, and infrastructure.
“Cryptocurrencies can enable instant, peer-to-peer cross-border routing and settlement, cutting out the middle men. Imagine a Pakistan merchant accepting Hong Kong dollars with FPS and receiving Rupees through IBFT within a few minutes.”
Daniel De Weyer, former Global Director at SWIFT, after having worked for over 20 years at SWIFT, has also joined the XanPool team as a Director. As such, Daniel will assist in and lead some of XanPool’s geographic, and product expansion effort westwards.
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