Cacao

Cacao is a financial technology enterprise based in São Paulo, Brazil, that develops a mobile application providing dollar-denominated financial services tailored specifically for the Brazilian market. Operating within the broader Latin American fintech sector, the digital platform functions as a global dollar application that enables local retail customers to access, hold, and manage United States dollars internationally. The organization currently operates with a lean structure consisting of three employees who are developing the initial software architecture and cross-border payment infrastructure. Although specific details regarding the underlying business model remain undisclosed, the startup primarily targets individuals seeking alternative foreign exchange exposure and international transaction capabilities. By facilitating direct access to foreign currency, the application addresses regional demand for stable assets outside the domestic monetary system. Cacao was founded in 2025 by Alec Howard, Carlos Jimenez, and Michael Mason.

High-Level Overview

Cacao is a fintech startup that provides Brazilians a seamless way to receive income from abroad in USD or stablecoins and instantly convert it to Brazilian Reais (BRL) via Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system. The app targets remote workers, freelancers, creators, gamers, and anyone earning globally, offering fast, low-cost, and transparent cross-border payments with zero bureaucracy. Users can receive USD via ACH, Wire, RTP, or crypto, store funds securely in a USDT stablecoin wallet, withdraw instantly to Pix, and spend globally with a Visa Platinum card. Cacao’s platform addresses the inefficiencies of traditional payment rails like SWIFT by leveraging stablecoins and Pix for speed and cost advantages.

For an investment firm perspective, Cacao’s mission is to enable global Brazilians to access their earnings instantly and affordably, disrupting legacy cross-border payment systems. Their investment philosophy likely centers on fintech innovation, digital payments, and financial inclusion in emerging markets. Key sectors include fintech, blockchain/stablecoins, and digital wallets. Cacao impacts the startup ecosystem by pioneering a new model for international payments in Brazil, fostering financial empowerment for digital workers and creators, and potentially inspiring further fintech innovation around stablecoins and instant payments.

Origin Story

Cacao was co-founded by Carlos, Alec, and Mike, who identified the pain points Brazilians face when receiving money from abroad. Carlos experienced firsthand the challenges of paying Brazilian engineers from the US, noting that fintechs building on SWIFT were limited by its slow, costly nature. This insight led to the idea of replacing SWIFT with faster, cheaper rails using stablecoins and Pix. The company evolved to build an all-in-one mobile app that integrates USD receipt, crypto storage, instant BRL conversion, and global spending. Early traction includes surpassing 100,000 downloads and positive user feedback praising the app’s speed, ease of use, and cost savings.

Core Differentiators

• Product Differentiators: Combines USD and crypto receipt, stablecoin wallet, instant BRL conversion via Pix, and global spending with a Visa Platinum card in one app.
• Speed & Pricing: Instant transfers 24/7/365, fees as low as 0.9% on USD deposits and Pix withdrawals, and 1% on card usage—up to 90% cheaper than traditional methods.
• Developer Experience: Intuitive mobile app with local Portuguese support, live FX rates better than mid-market by 1-2%, and free crypto-to-crypto transfers.
• Community Ecosystem: Tailored for freelancers, creators, gamers, and remote workers earning globally, fostering a digital-first financial community.
• Compliance & Security: Compliant with Brazil’s new stablecoin regulations, ensuring secure and legal operations.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Cacao rides the global trend of digital nomadism, remote work, and the rise of creator economies, which demand efficient cross-border payment solutions. The timing is critical as Brazil’s Pix system matures and stablecoin regulations evolve, enabling fintechs to innovate on top of these infrastructures. Market forces such as currency volatility, high remittance fees, and demand for financial inclusion favor Cacao’s model. By bridging USD stablecoins and Pix, Cacao influences the broader ecosystem by demonstrating how blockchain and instant payment rails can disrupt legacy financial systems, potentially inspiring other fintechs in Latin America and beyond.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Cacao is poised to expand its user base among Brazil’s growing population of global earners and may extend its model to other Latin American markets. Trends shaping its journey include increasing adoption of stablecoins, regulatory clarity around digital assets, and the continued rise of remote work. Its influence may evolve from a niche payment app to a broader financial platform offering credit, savings, or investment products tailored to global Brazilians. By making Pix effectively global, Cacao could redefine cross-border payments in emerging markets, setting a precedent for fintech innovation in the region.

This positions Cacao as a critical enabler for Brazil’s digital workforce, fulfilling its mission to make international earnings accessible and spendable instantly at home.