AZA Finance, Pioneering Crypto-Enabled Payments, Acquired by dLocal for $150 Million

Nairobi, Kenya – Elizabeth Rossiello, founder of AZA Finance, a leading African fintech company, has built a significant cross-border payments business leveraging cryptocurrency as a core operational tool. This strategic approach highlights crypto's utility beyond speculative investment, a point underscored by blockchain journalist Laura Shin. AZA Finance, formerly known as BitPesa, is now set to be acquired by Latin American payments giant dLocal for approximately $150 million, a move poised to significantly expand global payment infrastructure in emerging markets.

Rossiello initially founded BitPesa in Nairobi in 2013 to address the high costs and inefficiencies prevalent in traditional cross-border payments, particularly within Africa. Her vision was to utilize digital currencies to facilitate faster and more affordable transactions, bypassing cumbersome legacy banking systems. This demonstrated that crypto, in her words, "wasn’t the goal — just the best tool for the job," as stated by Laura Shin in a recent tweet.

Over the past decade, AZA Finance has evolved into a major player, processing over $9 billion in transactions for more than 2 million customers across 190+ countries. The company has been instrumental in integrating stablecoins and other digital assets to provide 24/7 commerce capabilities, offering crucial liquidity and efficiency in African and G20 currency exchanges. This has allowed businesses to navigate complex financial landscapes and reduce settlement times.

The acquisition by dLocal, currently awaiting regulatory approval, is expected to create substantial synergies, combining AZA Finance's deep expertise and licensing network in African markets with dLocal's extensive global platform. This integration aims to enhance payout efficiency, expand service offerings, and further streamline cross-border financial services for businesses operating in and out of Africa. The deal underscores a growing convergence between traditional fintech and crypto-native solutions in the global payments landscape.