Ualá provides a free prepaid Mastercard and a mobile app to help Argentinians manage money. The app lets users spend anywhere Mastercard is accepted, send and receive money instantly at no cost, pay bills, recharge services, and load their SUBE card from the digital wallet. Users sign up in the app, obtain a digital card, and can request a physical Mastercard that can be activated in-app. Unlike some rivals, Ualá uses a freemium, fully online model with in-app chat support and no account fees, earning revenue mainly from Mastercard interchange fees and partnerships. Its goal is to simplify everyday money tasks by consolidating payments, transfers, bill payments, and card access into one mobile platform.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Late Stage VC
Total Funding
$1.2B
Headquarters
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Founded
2017
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Revolut gets green light to buy Argentinian bank. Revolut has received the regulatory go-ahead to acquire small Argentinian lender Banco Cetelem from BNP Paribas. The central bank approval paves the way for Revolut to close the transaction and rename Banco Cetelem to Revolut Bank Argentina.UK-based fintech giant Revolut says its latest outpost will not initially offer public-facing products and services, instead focusing on fulfilling all regulatory and operational requirements under local CEO Agustin Danza.But, with 150,000 people already on its waitlist, the firm is building out its operations in the market as it prepares to launch a broad offering spanning everyday banking, credit, international spending, wealth, rewards and lifestyle benefits - all within a single app. Argentina represents a potentially lucrative market for a digital challenger but Revolut will be taking on local fintech players such as Uala and Mercado Pago as well as European giants BBVA and Santander. By on 2026-09-28 07:00:00
Tether backs argentine neobank Ualá With a $20 Million strategic investment. The investment was part of a large $197 million funding round that valued Ualá at $3.2 billion in March. No operational integration will follow this capital injection, as Ualá recognizes the regulatory hurdles to bringing these assets to Latam markets as a banking institution. Tether Intensifies Latam Bet With $20 Million Investment in Ualá The [...]
Tether backs Argentine fintech Ualá with $20M investment to boost Latin American presence. Key highlights. Table of Contents * Tether contributes $20M to Ualá's funding initiative in Argentina. * Investment bolsters Tether's strategic presence throughout Latin America. * Previous investments include Mercado Bitcoin and crypto platform Belo. * Regional expansion centers on stablecoin payment infrastructure growth. * Digital banking and corporate payment solutions fuel expansion efforts. Stablecoin issuer Tether has reportedly allocated $20 million to support Argentine digital banking platform Ualá through its recent capital raise. This strategic commitment reinforces Tether's ongoing efforts to establish a stronger foothold within Latin America's evolving fintech landscape. Additionally, the reported funding represents another significant step in deploying stablecoin infrastructure across regional financial services. Strategic participation in Ualá's capital raise. According to Bloomberg, Tether's contribution was part of Ualá's substantial $197 million equity financing completed in March. Allianz X served as the round's lead investor, with Ualá confirming Tether among the participating entities. Nevertheless, specific investment amounts, including the reported $20 million figure, were not publicly disclosed when the funding was initially announced. This reported allocation marks Tether's continued diversification beyond traditional crypto exchange platforms into mainstream digital banking infrastructure. The company maintains an active approach to forging strategic alliances with established fintech operators throughout Latin America. Such partnerships facilitate wider distribution channels for stablecoin-based payment solutions through platforms already serving millions of regional users. Ualá has systematically grown its digital banking ecosystem across multiple Latin American countries over recent years. Its platform delivers comprehensive payment processing, savings accounts, credit facilities, and investment tools via user-friendly mobile interfaces. Consequently, this reported collaboration may enhance blockchain-enabled payment capabilities within Ualá's existing service framework. Building momentum across Latin American markets. The reported Ualá backing arrives shortly after Tether disclosed another substantial regional investment earlier this month. The company allocated $20 million to Mercado Bitcoin, Brazil's prominent cryptocurrency trading platform, targeting enhanced blockchain infrastructure and tokenized financial product development. This funding aims to advance lending services and onchain capital markets throughout the region. In a previous move this year, Tether spearheaded a $14 million Series A investment round for Belo, an Argentine cryptocurrency-focused fintech company. Notable venture capital firms participated alongside Tether, including Titan Fund, The Venture City, Mindset Ventures, and G2. The proceeds are directed toward expanding Belo's crypto payment solutions and complementary financial service offerings. Beyond direct equity investments, Tether has actively encouraged practical stablecoin adoption throughout the region. Recent developments from Bolivia suggest regulatory authorities are considering USDT integration alongside the boliviano and US dollar within national payment frameworks. Furthermore, financial institutions Banco Unión and Banco FIE currently facilitate USDT-related services as part of their standard product portfolios. Corporate payment infrastructure gains attention. Tether has simultaneously intensified efforts around enterprise-focused payment solutions beyond retail financial services. Just last week, the company announced leading a $7 million investment round for Pact Labs. This capital targets integrating USAT stablecoin technology into payroll processing systems designed for large-scale corporate payment operations. The company has further demonstrated stablecoin utility within corporate treasury functions through cross-border payment trials. Earlier this month, Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Mexico successfully executed a treasury transfer using USDT on the Avalanche blockchain. The transaction reportedly processed a $20,000 payment in approximately seven minutes utilizing infrastructure developed by Axiym. The reported Ualá investment underscores Tether's comprehensive regional approach spanning traditional banking, payment processing, cryptocurrency platforms, and corporate financial infrastructure. Tether consistently advances stablecoin-enabled infrastructure by partnering with recognized financial service providers throughout Latin America. This latest reported commitment further reinforces the company's sustained focus on deploying practical blockchain-based payment technologies across the region. Limited Time Offer Get 3 free stock ebooks. Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis. * Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies * Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders * Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
Tether invests $20M in Argentine digital bank Uala. 16 July 2026, 00:44:03 GMT +0000 Tether has invested $20 million in Uala, an Argentine digital bank, in a deal that pushes the stablecoin issuer deeper into Latin America's fintech sector and links its balance sheet to one of Argentina's best-known consumer banking platforms. Tether's $20 million investment in Uala at A glance. The transaction pairs Tether, the company behind the USDT stablecoin, with Uala, a digital bank operating in Argentina. The reported size of the investment is $20 million. For related coverage, see Galaxy Digital: BTC Old Currency Awakenings in 2026 to Drop by More Than Half. Uala positions itself as a digital bank rather than a pure payments app, a distinction that places the deal at the intersection of crypto capital and traditional consumer banking. Tether's participation gives the story relevance beyond Argentina's borders. For related coverage, see Uniswap 24-Hour Fees Hit $5.03M, Trail Only Tether and Circle. The investment lands as Uala continues to raise outside capital. The company has previously disclosed a $197 million funding round, underscoring investor appetite for the platform. For related coverage, see Kraken Institutional Partners With Upshift to Launch Customized Crypto Vault. Why Tether may be targeting Argentina's digital banking market. Argentina is the geographic focus of the deal, and the country has long been associated with high inflation and demand for dollar-linked savings. Tether's move into a local digital bank fits a broader pattern of the company backing regional fintech infrastructure. Notably, the investment does not automatically mean Uala will list Tether's USDT stablecoin. Uala chief executive Pierpaolo Barbieri has explained why the platform will not add USDT, according to Bloomberg Línea. That detail separates the capital investment from any confirmed product integration. Any strategic reading beyond the capital commitment remains inference rather than confirmed fact. What the evidence supports is a direct equity-style investment into a digital banking operation, not a stablecoin distribution agreement. What Uala could gain from Tether's backing. For Uala, the most immediate benefit is capital and the credibility of association with a large crypto-sector treasury. That backing could strengthen the digital bank's visibility as it competes in Argentina's crowded fintech market. The deal echoes Tether's earlier regional financing activity, including its participation in a US$20 million strategic financing with Mercado Bitcoin. The similar structure suggests a repeatable playbook for Latin American growth investments. Concrete product changes, however, would require further confirmation. Barbieri's comments on USDT indicate that the investment does not translate into a specific consumer feature at this stage. What this deal signals for Latin America crypto and fintech. The transaction points to interest that extends beyond token issuance and into banking infrastructure. A stablecoin issuer taking a stake in a licensed-style digital bank signals convergence between crypto capital and mainstream fintech. Argentina remains a key market for that convergence, and Tether's stated aim is to accelerate its Latin America expansion, as reported by Empire Magazine Africa. The regional relevance therefore reaches past Uala alone. Tether's role as a stablecoin operator also draws regulatory attention elsewhere, such as scrutiny over high-value USDT transactions under AML review in Thailand. That backdrop frames why the company's expansion into regulated banking channels matters. FAQ about Tether's investment in Uala. What is Uala? Uala is an Argentine digital bank, a consumer financial platform operating in Argentina. How much did Tether invest? Tether invested $20 million in Uala, according to reporting on the deal. Why is Argentina relevant to this deal? Argentina is the country where Uala operates and the geographic focus of Tether's stated Latin America expansion. Will Uala list USDT after the investment? Not at this stage. Uala CEO Pierpaolo Barbieri has said the platform will not add the USDT stablecoin. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions. Rate this post No tags available. Mayowa is a seasoned freelance writer specializing in creating compelling, high-converting content across diverse industries.
Tether invests $20 million in Argentina's Ualá, expands bet in Latin America. Issuer of the world's largest stablecoin has $184 billion in tokens in circulation and made a series of investments in the region in recent months to advance in agribusiness, fintech and financial market infrastructure. By Maria Clara Cobo July 15, 2026 | 03:22 PM Bloomberg - Tether invested $20 million in Argentine digital bank Ualá, deepening its bet on Latin America as the issuer of the world's largest stablecoin expands its presence beyond digital assets. The investment is part of the $197 million fundraising round announced by Ualá in March. The company plans to use the proceeds to accelerate growth and expand its financial ecosystem in the markets where it already operates: Argentina, Mexico and Colombia. Regulatory barriers in these countries prevent Ualá from integrating Tether's stablecoin USDT into the platform in the short term, founder and CEO Pierpaolo Barbieri said. "We always want to be at the forefront of new products, but today we are a bank in all the markets where we operate, and given the regulatory environment in Argentina and Mexico, there will be no type of stablecoin integration," Barbieri said in an interview with Bloomberg News. "Tether is coming in purely as a financial investor." Tether, which has $184 billion in tokens in circulation, has made a series of investments in the region in recent months. In April, the company led a Series A round for Argentine crypto platform Belo, and earlier this month, it announced an $18 million investment in Brazilian crypto broker Mercado Bitcoin. Beyond the crypto asset sector, Tether took control of South American agribusiness company Adecoagro last year, continuing a string of acquisitions and investments spanning areas from brain implant technology to sports. Tether joins a list of Ualá investors that includes Allianz X - which led the company's latest funding round - as well as firms such as Stone Ridge Holdings Group, Tencent Holdings Ltd., Soros Fund Management LLC, Table Holdings LP and D1 Capital Partners. The March financing valued Ualá at $3.2 billion. "Ualá's growth reflects the huge demand in the region for more accessible, efficient financial services built around consumer needs," Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said in a statement. Argentine recovery. Ualá's 11 million customers in the region are mainly concentrated in its home market, Argentina, where banks and fintechs face rising defaults after rapid credit expansion last year followed by steep interest rate hikes ahead of midterm legislative elections. Since then, private financial institutions have slowed the pace of lending as household loan portfolio quality deteriorated. Barbieri said Ualá's default rates have fallen over the past seven months and the Argentine operation should return to breakeven in the next month or two as credit quality improves. That will allow the company to direct more capital toward international expansion. Founded in 2017, Ualá's expansion strategy has increasingly focused on Mexico, where the company says it sees ample room to gain market share despite growing competition from banks and fintechs. Mexico remains one of the least digitized payments markets on the planet, with cash accounting for about 85% of small purchases. "Mexico is an extremely young market compared with Brazil, which is a pioneer in the region, and with Argentina, which has undergone significant digitization in recent years," Barbieri said. "There is competition in Mexico, no doubt, but the total addressable market is infinite." Barbieri acknowledged that the company takes a cautious approach to lending in Mexico while expanding product offerings, including a recent launch that allowed investments in U.S. stocks and ETFs. He declined to estimate when the company would reach breakeven in Latin America's second-largest economy. See more at bloomberg.com (C) 2026 Bloomberg L.P.