Engineering Lead

Bleap launches stablecoin-based Brazil-to-Europe transfers. Bleap has launched a stablecoin-settled transfer corridor between Brazil and Europe, positioning itself against SWIFT-reliant providers such as Wise. Bleap has launched a stablecoin-settled transfer corridor between Brazil and Europe, positioning itself against SWIFT-reliant providers such as Wise. The financial account provider has introduced a service that allows Brazilians living in Europe to move money from Brazil without routing payments through SWIFT-based banking infrastructure. The launch targets a segment of cross-border payments that has traditionally relied on correspondent banking networks, which the company says keeps costs high for individual transfers. Traditional cross-border transfers rely on a bank in one country sending payment instructions over SWIFT to a bank in another, with settlement occurring separately between the institutions involved. Providers expanding into a new market typically face two options: route payments through SWIFT and pay fees to each correspondent bank in the chain, which requires no local licence but is comparatively slow and expensive, or establish a licensed local entity, which is faster to operate but costly to set up. In both cases, these costs are generally passed on to the end customer, particularly affecting smaller, individual remittances rather than institutional transfers. Bleap's model replaces the SWIFT leg with stablecoin settlement, which the company states allows value to move across borders instantly. A local partner in each country then handles the final step, converting the stablecoin value into local currency and disbursing it through that country's domestic payment rails. In Brazil, this means customers send reais through PIX, the country's instant payment system, with the equivalent amount arriving in a Bleap account in euros within seconds. Transfers are processed at the mid-market exchange rate, with no transfer fee and 0% IOF, Brazil's tax on financial transactions. According to the company, the underlying use of stablecoins is not visible to the end customer. The transfer feature is integrated into Bleap's broader account offering, which already includes global spending with no foreign exchange fees, cashback of up to 20%, USD savings accounts (with EUR savings planned), and investment options, all operated under a European IBAN. Brazilian customers can open an account using a CPF and Brazilian identification alone, without a European residence visa, subject to verification checks. Bleap has raised more than EUR 7.6 million across two funding rounds since late 2024: a EUR 2.1 million pre-seed round led by Ethereal Ventures, followed by a EUR 5.5 million seed round led by Blossom Capital. The company reports more than 70.000 users to date. According to Bleap, the funding will support the opening of additional transfer corridors based on the same stablecoin-settlement model, as well as continued user growth. The launch reflects a broader trend of fintech providers using stablecoins to settle cross-border payment legs outside traditional correspondent banking networks, an approach increasingly explored by remittance and neobanking providers seeking to reduce settlement costs on retail-sized transfers... Sep 15, 2026 00:00

Wise launches no-fee Chequing Account in Canada with free Interac e-Transfers. 6 hours ago Wise has launched a new Chequing Account in Canada, adding free Interac e-Transfer options, CDIC deposit insurance eligibility and features for sharing expenses. In a statement to iPhone in Canada, Wise said the account is available starting today for Canadian customers and businesses. It has no monthly fee. One of the biggest additions is support for free Interac e-Transfers. Customers can fund their Canadian dollar balance through Interac e-Transfer or send Canadian dollars to an Interac alias without paying a Wise fee. Balances held through the Wise Chequing Account can also qualify for CDIC protection of up to $100,000 across currencies. Wise itself is not a CDIC member. Eligible customer deposits are instead held in trust at a CDIC member institution. Wise is also launching Group Spend, which lets users create a shared balance with family or friends for expenses such as bills or trips. "Canadians shouldn't need one account for life at home and another for life internationally. We're building a new kind of chequing account for people and businesses in Canada so they don't need to use different providers in order to meet their everyday money management needs. Now, they can simply use the Wise Chequing Account," said Vinay Nilakantan, Head of Product for North America at Wise. The account also supports local account details for Canadian dollars and other currencies, with more than 20 currencies available for receiving money. Users can set up pre-authorized debits, send money to more than 70 countries and spend internationally using Wise's exchange rates. Wise is offering several launch promos. Its "Double Payday" offer will select five customers each month for one year to have their first direct-deposit paycheque doubled, up to $5,000. The promotion excludes Quebec. The company is also opening a temporary Wise branch at Toronto's Eaton Centre from September 14 through October 11, where customers can get help setting up accounts. Wise remains registered in Canada as a money services business and payment service provider and is not a bank. P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support Iphoneincanada by buying Iphoneincanada a beer, treating Iphoneincanada to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so Iphoneincanada earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!

Wise launches Chequing Account. Wise is today launching its Chequing Account in Canada, with new features designed for people and businesses whose financial lives span borders. The move comes as Canadians are looking for smarter ways to manage their money both at home and abroad as they increasingly juggle multiple providers. The Chequing Account introduces several new features for Canadian customers, including free Interac e-Transfer options, eligibility for CDIC insurance, and Group Spend. Wise is also offering the highest return in market on USD for all Canadians through the Chequing Account, following the introduction of Interest earlier this year. This launch addresses growing financial frustration among Canadians. According to new research from Wise, more than half (54%) of Canadians use more financial services and tools today than they did five years ago. This isn't making life easier, as 45% of Canadians say managing their money has become more complicated and over a third (35%) note switching between multiple financial providers is frustrating. Balancing different providers comes from navigating many needs, and Canadians are increasingly spending more time - and money - internationally. More than half (53%) of Canadians shared they manage at least one international financial activity as part of their daily lives, spanning travel, global shopping, holding foreign currencies and sending money abroad. New features for Canadians at home and abroad The Wise Chequing Account includes new features that make it easier for people and businesses in Canada to manage and move money no matter where they are in the world: * Free Interac e-Transfer Options: Canadian and global customers funding their CAD balance using Interac e-Transfer or sending CAD to an Interac alias can now do so for free. * CDIC Insurance: Chequing Account balances are now eligible for CDIC deposit insurance up to $100,000 on all currencies held with Wise. * Group Spend: Set up a group of family and friends on Wise to pool money in a central balance for easy spending on bills, travel and more. * Double Payday + Account Bonus: Wise is offering limited time promotions to reward customers using Wise for everyday money needs, including activity-based bonuses for using the Chequing Account and a Double Payday promotion where every month for the next year Wise will randomly pick 5 lucky customers to get their first paycheque of the month doubled (up to $5,000) if they receive their direct deposit in the Chequing Account. See more here. Building on the success of Wise's existing offerings to meet Canadians' needs Wise's research found Canadians managing multiple providers are looking for lower fees (28%), better savings options (25%), and better interest rates (24%). The Wise Chequing Account is built to address those needs. Plus, 43% of Canadians say growing their money or earning more on their savings is a top financial priority over the next year. Earlier this year, Wise became the first provider in Canada to enable customers to earn a return on balances held across multiple currencies - USD, GBP, EUR and CAD - with instant access to funds within one consolidated account. And with Interest there's no promotional rates and no minimum balances customers must hold, making it even more convenient. In addition, the Wise Chequing Account comes with local account details in CAD and other currencies, including over 20 currencies for receiving money. Pre-authorized debits can be set up easily for recurring payments like streaming services or energy providers. Customers can also send money to 70+ countries or spend it at the mid-market rate with no hidden fees. With Wise 77% of all global payments arrive instantly in under 20 seconds^^. Celebrate the Chequing Account with a branch pop-up experience in Toronto To mark the launch of the Chequing Account, Wise is opening its first-ever Canadian pop-up branch on September 14 at Toronto's Eaton Centre, which runs until October 11. The pop-up branch will bring the Wise Chequing Account to life, giving people in Canada - especially newcomers - the chance to meet Wise experts, get hands-on support with opening and using their account, and access a range of exclusive experiences and offers. To celebrate the global connections that are part of Canadians' everyday lives, new and existing Wise customers can pick up some of their favourite snacks and drinks from around the world for free. They will also be eligible to enter a branch-exclusive a branch-exclusive weekly drawing for the chance to win $10,000 CAD to use for travel to see family or bring them to Canada to visit.