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§ Private Profile · Lagos, Nigeria
Builds cryptocurrency infrastructure for Africa, enabling crypto trading, storage, and remittances.
Key people at Helicarrier (prev Buycoins).
Helicarrier (prev Buycoins) was founded in 2017 by Ire Aderinokun (Founder) and Timi Ajiboye (Founder).
Helicarrier, formerly Buycoins, is a Lagos, Nigeria-based company established in 2017 by Ire Aderinokun and Timi Ajiboye. It specializes in developing robust cryptocurrency infrastructure for Africa, offering platforms that enable users to buy, sell, store, and trade various digital assets. The company also provides essential crypto-powered remittance services through Sendcash and developer tools for borderless payments via Sendcash Pay, alongside issuing NGNT, a naira-pegged stablecoin. Backed by prominent investors like Y Combinator (Summer 2018 batch) and Kairos Angels, Helicarrier successfully raised $220K in total funding to support its operations. However, the company, which once employed 30 individuals, faced significant operational challenges following the Central Bank of Nigeria's 2021 directive. This regulatory impact ultimately led to the discontinuation of its professional trading platform, Buycoins Pro, by April 2023, citing insufficient trading volume.
Helicarrier (prev Buycoins) was founded in 2017 by Ire Aderinokun (Founder) and Timi Ajiboye (Founder).
Helicarrier (formerly Buycoins) is a leading cryptocurrency infrastructure company focused on Africa, providing a suite of products that facilitate crypto trading, remittances, and digital payments. Its mission centers on democratizing access to cryptocurrency and financial services across the continent, addressing challenges like limited financial infrastructure, currency volatility, and high transaction costs. The company’s product portfolio includes Buycoins (a user-friendly crypto exchange), Buycoins Pro (advanced trading platform), Sendcash (crypto-powered remittance service), Sendcash Pay (developer tools for cross-border payments), and NGNT, a Nigerian Naira-backed stablecoin. Helicarrier serves individual users, businesses, and developers, aiming to enable seamless crypto adoption and financial inclusion in Africa’s rapidly growing digital economy[1][2][3].
For an investment firm perspective, Helicarrier’s mission is to build foundational crypto infrastructure that accelerates Africa’s digital financial ecosystem. Its investment philosophy emphasizes creating scalable, impactful fintech solutions that leverage blockchain technology to solve real-world problems such as cross-border payments and currency instability. Key sectors include cryptocurrency exchanges, remittances, stablecoins, and developer tools. Helicarrier has significantly influenced the African startup ecosystem by pioneering crypto adoption, supporting fintech innovation, and recently acquiring stakes in complementary startups like Accrue to expand crypto savings and wealth-building options[4][6].
Helicarrier was founded in 2017 by Timi Ajiboye, Ire Aderinokun, and Tomiwa Lasebikan. Initially launched as Bitkoin Africa, a peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading platform, it rebranded to Buycoins to better reflect its broader crypto exchange services. In 2021, the company evolved into Helicarrier, a parent company housing multiple crypto products under one umbrella to capture its expanded vision beyond just trading. The founders brought diverse backgrounds in technology and product design, united by a shared goal to provide Nigerians and Africans with safe, easy access to cryptocurrencies. Early traction came from addressing the continent’s urgent need for reliable crypto infrastructure amid financial instability and regulatory challenges, positioning Helicarrier as a key player in Africa’s fintech landscape[2][3][7].
Helicarrier rides the wave of increasing cryptocurrency adoption in Africa, driven by youthful demographics, financial exclusion, and the need for efficient cross-border payments. The timing is critical as traditional financial systems in many African countries remain underdeveloped or unstable, making crypto a practical alternative. Market forces such as high remittance volumes, currency volatility, and growing internet penetration favor Helicarrier’s solutions. By building foundational infrastructure, Helicarrier not only facilitates individual crypto use but also empowers businesses and developers, thereby accelerating the continent’s digital economy and fintech innovation ecosystem[1][3][4].
Looking ahead, Helicarrier is poised to deepen its impact by expanding product offerings, enhancing developer tools, and growing its user base across Africa. Trends such as increasing regulatory clarity, broader crypto acceptance, and digital financial inclusion will shape its journey. The company’s strategic investments and product diversification position it to influence Africa’s fintech landscape significantly, potentially becoming a central hub for crypto infrastructure on the continent. Its evolution from a simple exchange to a multi-product platform reflects a forward-looking approach that aligns with Africa’s digital transformation and the global rise of blockchain technology[4][6].
Key people at Helicarrier (prev Buycoins).
