Standard Economics Aims to Be the "Starlink for Money," Secures $9M to Expand Global Remittances

Standard Economics, a stablecoin payment startup co-founded by former SpaceX and X employees, has secured a $9 million seed round led by venture capital firm Paradigm, with additional participation from Lightspeed and strategic angel investors, according to Fortune. The funding will accelerate the development of its USD-stablecoin platform, designed to facilitate global cross-border payments and remittances through its flagship app, Uno. The startup, which currently operates in Mexico and plans to expand to Argentina, the Philippines, and other markets in Latin America and Asia, aims to streamline financial services for the unbanked and underbanked populations, according to Coinotag.

The seed round reflects growing institutional interest in stablecoin-driven remittance solutions, a sector poised for expansion as demand for faster, lower-cost international money transfers rises. Standard Economics' platform leverages regulated stablecoins to enable users to send and receive funds across borders with minimal friction. Co-founder and CEO Evan Jones emphasized that the Uno app, which currently supports iOS and Android, offers a "comprehensive banking toolkit" including domestic payments and remittances, addressing gaps in traditional financial systems.

Paradigm, a prominent investor in blockchain and decentralized finance, sees Standard Economics as a potential disruptor in the global payments landscape. Caitlin Pintavorn, a partner at Paradigm, likened the startup's vision to "bringing about Starlink for money," highlighting its ambition to create a unified, cross-border financial infrastructure that transcends regional app limitations. The firm's investment underscores confidence in stablecoins as a scalable solution for remittances, particularly in developing markets where traditional banking services remain inaccessible to large segments of the population.

The broader stablecoin industry is witnessing rapid innovation, with other players advancing similar use cases. Thunes, a global payments infrastructure provider, recently launched a solution enabling instant payouts in stablecoins across 130+ countries, integrating fiat and digital asset rails into a single API, according to Morningstar. Meanwhile, ClearBank, a U.K.-based neobank, announced a partnership with Circle to expand access to MiCA-compliant stablecoins like USDC and EURC, according to CoinDesk. These developments signal a shift toward hybrid financial systems where stablecoins bridge traditional and digital finance, a trend Standard Economics aims to capitalize on.

Despite the momentum, challenges remain. Regulatory scrutiny of stablecoins persists, particularly in regions where compliance frameworks are still evolving. For Standard Economics, scaling Uno while maintaining regulatory adherence across multiple jurisdictions will be critical. The startup, which has no revenue to date and employs six staff, must also demonstrate user adoption and operational sustainability as it expands into new markets.

Industry analysts view the seed round as a pivotal step for Standard Economics, positioning it to compete with existing remittance platforms and emerging stablecoin-focused startups. With Paradigm's backing and a clear focus on unbanked populations, the company's success could reshape how cross-border payments are structured, particularly in regions where traditional infrastructure lags. As stablecoins gain traction, the line between traditional finance and decentralized systems continues to blur, opening new avenues for innovation-and competition.