The article introduces the BessPay Plugin, a tool that helps MSMEs in emerging economies receive fast, low-cost, cross-border payments in their local currency by integrating Interledger Open Payments with the Sharetribe platform. The project has progressed through technical development, pilot research, and partnerships, positioning BessPay as a promising solution for advancing financial inclusion and enabling broader participation in global digital commerce.
Rafiki Remit, developed by Paysys Labs in partnership with Allied Bank, is transforming cross-border payments in Pakistan using the Interledger Protocol to enable faster, low-cost, and inclusive remittance services.
Kanzu Microloans, developed by Kanzu Finance with support from the Interledger Foundation, uses the Interledger Protocol to deliver instant, secure microloans via mobile, expanding credit access for Uganda’s unbanked, especially women, youth, and low-income earners.
The Interledger Foundation’s call for papers highlights global research advancing digital financial inclusion and interoperable payments through diverse societal, technological, and policy perspectives.
The Interledger Foundation has announced the first awardees of its Nextgen Higher Education Grant Program, supporting universities in advancing digital financial inclusion through education, research, and innovation. Selected institutions in the Netherlands, Kenya, and the U.S. will develop interdisciplinary programs focused on open payments, the Interledger Protocol, and inclusive fintech solutions.
Hackathons are emerging as powerful catalysts for academic innovation, bridging theoretical learning with real-world problem-solving. These short, intensive events create opportunities for students to collaborate across disciplines, experiment with cutting-edge technologies, and design impactful solutions to global challenges.
We're back with our Summer quarterly roundup, featuring grant reports and updates from our Ambassadors, Grantees, and Partners shared over the past few months.
The Interledger Foundation (ILF) invites applications for the second round of its 2025 Digital Financial Services Grant Program, opening today (July 1) and closing August 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm (EDT).
In this Future Money Podcast episode, Uchi Uchebeke, founder of Chimoney, shares his journey from Nigeria to Canada and his mission to drive financial inclusion through open, low-cost digital payments. Using tools like the Interledger Protocol, Chimoney empowers users globally with instant cross-border transactions, AI-powered verification, and access to a borderless digital economy.
The BessPay Plugin integrates Interledger Open Payments into Sharetribe marketplaces, allowing MSMEs across the Global South to accept cross-border payments with lower fees, local currency support, and no-code setup. Supported by the Interledger Foundation, the project aims to boost global trade access for underserved entrepreneurs via the pilot Sharetribe-powered marketplace, SouthLink.
Kanzu Microloans enables instant, mobile-based credit for underserved savings groups using open financial protocols. Built with ILP and Rafiki, it brings fast, inclusive lending to communities.
