ViFi Labs Taps Into Africa’s Crypto Boom with OneRamp Stablecoin Integration
A small Ugandan startup built for real-world payments now finds itself at the center of a global stablecoin push.
ViFi Labs, a decentralized protocol known for its work in stablecoin and foreign currency trading, has acquired Uganda’s OneRamp—a rising player in the African crypto payments space. The deal gives ViFi an immediate foothold in key African markets and positions the firm to broaden its reach into Latin America.
OneRamp, launched by Ugandan entrepreneurs Elias Hezron Opio and Jovan Mwesigwa, built its name on simplicity. By linking stablecoins directly to mobile money and bank accounts, the platform made crypto feel less like a buzzword and more like a functional wallet for everyday use.
Currently active in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Tanzania, OneRamp serves over 25,000 users. Its annual revenue run rate stands at $1.2 million—a modest figure, but one that speaks to growing grassroots adoption in regions where traditional banking often falls short.
“Stablecoin payments in Africa aren’t a future bet—they’re already happening,” said Tony Olendo, cofounder of ViFi Labs. “What’s missing is compliant, scalable infrastructure. That’s where we come in.”
The acquisition signals a shift for ViFi Labs. After years spent building back-end infrastructure for foreign exchange trading on-chain, it’s now turning its focus to the front lines: consumers using stablecoins to pay rent, buy groceries, and send remittances.
For OneRamp, the move offers a clearer runway. “We’ve always believed crypto should work for people, not the other way around,” said Elias Hezron. “Teaming up with ViFi gives us the tools to scale that vision, without losing sight of what makes it useful on the ground.”
Across Africa and Latin America, stablecoin usage is rising—especially in economies battling inflation or dealing with hard currency shortages. While institutional flows top $540 billion globally each year, much of that volume still moves through informal peer-to-peer networks. ViFi hopes to formalize this flow by building on-chain FX swap venues, making trading more secure, transparent, and trackable.
OneRamp’s integration into ViFi also aligns with broader efforts to embed stablecoin payments within the Base ecosystem, a layer-2 blockchain backed by Coinbase. While OneRamp says it will remain platform-agnostic, joining Base opens new doors for liquidity and cross-border interoperability.
“We’re not leaving anyone behind,” said Mwesigwa. “But Base puts us where a lot of future demand will live—across apps, wallets, and networks that speak the same technical language.”
The acquisition may not grab headlines outside crypto circles, but its implications stretch beyond blockchain. It hints at a future where African-led fintech is no longer confined to regional pilots but becomes part of the global financial layer—starting not with speculation, but with utility.
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