As we begin summer, several key trends defined this month. Digital payments continue to gain popularity worldwide. More and more people are using their phones, online apps, and cards over cash everyday. Trends like this continue to reflect a dynamic and evolving landscape because of the constant innovation in this area.
The UCT Financial Innovation Hub and Interledger Foundation Hackathon on 28 June 2025 brought together students from four South African universities to build real-world fintech solutions using the Interledger Protocol. After a week of training, 12 teams tackled challenges like financial inclusion and payment accessibility.
The Interledger Foundation (ILF) invites applications for the second round of its 2025 Digital Financial Services Grant Program, opening today (July 1) and closing August 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm (EDT).
In this Future Money Podcast episode, Uchi Uchebeke, founder of Chimoney, shares his journey from Nigeria to Canada and his mission to drive financial inclusion through open, low-cost digital payments. Using tools like the Interledger Protocol, Chimoney empowers users globally with instant cross-border transactions, AI-powered verification, and access to a borderless digital economy.
Julaire Hall, a Program Officer at the Interledger Foundation, is advancing global digital financial inclusion by championing open, interoperable financial systems.
The rollercoaster ride continues in the fintech world this month. In fact, it seems to thrive on being a disruptor, and the change is constant. A lot of this change is driven by the wave of new innovations in mobile payments, app development and the significant shifts due to regulatory changes and political developments, especially in the EU and US. Here's an overview of the most impactful developments/articles that have been published in May.
Ayden Férdeline, now leading Public Policy at the Interledger Foundation, is advancing digital financial inclusion by combining technology with policy engagement. His work focuses on regulation, collaboration with policymakers, and strategic grants to build inclusive, adaptable financial ecosystems that empower underserved communities.
The Interledger Foundation’s workshop in rural Mexico highlighted how community-based finance, rooted in trust and resilience, can guide more inclusive digital systems. By partnering with local organizations and using open-source tools, they aim to build financial networks that reflect real-world needs. These insights will shape the upcoming Interledger Summit 2025 in Mexico City.
The Interledger Foundation (ILF) joined the 2025 Payments Canada Summit in Toronto, hosting a panel on “Interoperable Cross-Border Transfers.” Speakers from Chimoney, The People’s Clearinghouse, and ILF highlighted how open protocols and supportive regulation can make migrant remittances faster, cheaper, and more inclusive.
Paysys Labs, in partnership with the Interledger Foundation, is launching Rafiki Remit to streamline cross-border payments in Pakistan. The pilot with Allied Bank Limited aims to enable ILP-based international transfers, making remittances faster, cheaper, and more accessible.
The BessPay Plugin integrates Interledger Open Payments into Sharetribe marketplaces, allowing MSMEs across the Global South to accept cross-border payments with lower fees, local currency support, and no-code setup. Supported by the Interledger Foundation, the project aims to boost global trade access for underserved entrepreneurs via the pilot Sharetribe-powered marketplace, SouthLink.
