Connecting Stablecoins to Everyday Transactions

Kenyan startup Pretium is addressing a critical gap in the African fintech landscape by enabling stablecoin payments for everyday expenses. The company’s platform allows users to directly spend USDT and USDC on purchases like groceries, fuel, rent, and school fees—eliminating the need for complex conversions or third-party exchanges.

From Personal Frustration to Market Solution

Pretium was founded in 2024 by Derrick Bundi after experiencing firsthand the limitations of stablecoin adoption. While working in fintech and receiving salary payments in USDT, he found it difficult to spend those digital assets directly—a common challenge for crypto users across Africa.

“Having worked in financial tool development across multiple African markets, this disconnect didn’t make sense,” Bundi explained. “Why couldn’t a digital asset designed for value transfer be used for everyday purchases? Instead, I was forced to rely on inefficient P2P platforms with unfavorable exchange rates.”

Two-Sided Payment Infrastructure

Pretium offers both consumer and business solutions:

• Consumer App: Allows individuals to directly pay merchants using stablecoins for everyday expenses.
• B2B API: Provides businesses with a payment protocol that enables seamless conversion between stablecoins and local currencies, along with last-mile payout capabilities.

This approach has resonated with users and businesses alike. To date, Pretium has processed over $6 million in transaction value, with 49,000 users relying on its app for payments and more than 40 businesses integrated via its API.

The company generates revenue through a fee applied to the exchange spread for transactions processed on its platform.