CoinDesk Podcast Network The Future of Money Is Stable
Sep 10, 2025
Chris Maurice, CEO and Co-Founder of Yellow Card, shares his journey from college party Bitcoin discovery to leading in stablecoin adoption. He discusses how stablecoins are revolutionizing global payments, making cross-border transactions faster and cheaper. Maurice highlights Yellow Card's expansion into new markets and strategic partnerships that are reshaping digital finance. He also humorously recalls the challenges of introducing Bitcoin in Nigeria, revealing the transformative potential of cryptocurrencies in emerging economies.
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Banks Charging Exorbitant Remittance Fees
- Chris met a Nigerian man in a Wells Fargo who was charged $90 to send $200 home and it sparked his pivot to payments in Africa.
- He flew to Lagos with a one-way ticket and bootstrapped the early Yellow Card efforts on the ground to learn the market.
From College Parties To Lagos
- Justin evangelized Bitcoin at college parties which pulled Chris into crypto in 2013–2015.
- Early attempts (like gift-card Bitcoin retail) failed, but led to meeting users and discovering remittance pain points.
Institutions Care About Dollar Access
- Corporates primarily want access to dollars and treasury management, not crypto ideology.
- Stablecoins become a tool for institutional payments and treasury access in emerging markets.
