Daya Raises $2.4M for African Stablecoin Payment Solutions

Nigerian fintech innovator Daya has successfully closed a $2.4 million pre-seed funding round, signaling robust investor confidence in its mission to streamline cross-border transactions across Africa. The capital infusion is earmarked for enhancing the company's payment infrastructure and expanding its operational reach.

Leading the oversubscribed round was Hivemind Capital, with significant contributions from Lattice Fund, Alliance DAO, Aptos Foundation, and Globelink Investment. This backing underscores a growing trend of venture capital focusing on foundational blockchain solutions designed to address persistent inefficiencies in emerging markets.

Founded in October 2025 by seasoned entrepreneur Tomiwa Lasebikan, who previously established the Circle-backed BuyCoins, and co-founder Paul Joe, Daya is leveraging stablecoin technology to offer businesses dollar accounts, efficient settlement services, and seamless international payment capabilities. The company reports impressive month-on-month growth exceeding 40%, driven by escalating demand for more agile and cost-effective global payment solutions within the African continent.

The strategic importance of Daya's offering is amplified by the current landscape of international finance. African businesses frequently encounter high fees and lengthy delays when conducting cross-border trade. Stablecoins, pegged to stable assets like the US dollar, offer a compelling alternative by facilitating near-instantaneous settlements at a fraction of traditional costs. This round's success positions Daya to capitalize on this market opportunity, particularly as digital asset adoption continues to mature across the region.

Daya's platform provides a comprehensive suite of tools, enabling businesses to receive payments in virtual US dollar, Hong Kong dollar, and Chinese yuan accounts. It facilitates the conversion of local currencies into dollar liquidity, allows funds to be held securely in stablecoins, and enables outbound international payments directly from a unified dashboard. This integrated approach simplifies complex financial operations for its clientele.

The company's recent strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with the Aptos Foundation and Dubai-based HashKey MENA, have already begun to establish critical settlement corridors between Africa and the Middle East. These alliances are pivotal in building the necessary network effects for widespread adoption of its payment solutions.

This funding round aligns with broader market dynamics, where stablecoin infrastructure is increasingly attracting investor attention. Data indicates that stablecoin-focused startups represented a substantial 70% of all funding within the sector in May 2026, highlighting a clear investor preference for solutions that enhance payment efficiency and accessibility. Daya intends to deploy its new capital to fortify its compliance frameworks, broaden its payment corridors, and deepen relationships with both local and international financial institutions, solidifying its role as a key enabler of African commerce on the global stage.