In a significant strategic move, ViFi Labs, a decentralized protocol focused on foreign currency and stablecoin trading, has acquired Uganda‑based OneRamp, a rapidly growing stablecoin payments platform serving emerging markets in Africa. This acquisition marks a turning point in the deployment of compliant, real‑world crypto payments infrastructure.
Expanding Reach into Africa
Founded by Ugandans Elias Hezron Opio and Jovan Mwesigwa, OneRamp connects stablecoin payments directly to mobile money and banking systems across Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Tanzania. With more than 25,000 users and an annual run‑rate revenue of $1.2 million, OneRamp provides everyday payments using stablecoins at scale.
By integrating these operations, ViFi Labs gains immediate access to critical African markets, combining OneRamp’s local traction with ViFi’s deep foreign‑exchange and on‑chain stablecoin liquidity infrastructure.
From Infrastructure to Real‑World Deployment
ViFi Labs’ cofounder Tony Olendo explains that this move shifts the company from pure infrastructure building toward practical deployment in high‑growth markets—connecting institutional FX infrastructure with retail stablecoin use. Together, ViFi and OneRamp aim to unlock compliant on‑chain foreign exchange and payments at scale.
Across Africa and Latin America, stablecoin adoption is booming, with institutional usage exceeding $540 billion annually. Yet, much of that volume still relies on informal P2P channels due to scarce FX infrastructure. By building on‑chain FX swap venues, ViFi is addressing that gap and enabling secure, transparent, and scalable trading.
Accelerating Access Through Base Ecosystem
OneRamp’s founders highlighted the importance of compliance and scalability in this partnership. Elias Hezron noted that joining ViFi Labs enables sustainable growth while maintaining regulatory compliance. Jovan Mwesigwa added that integrating into Coinbase’s Base ecosystem offers a powerful platform to reach new users across Africa and globally, positioning OneRamp for the future of decentralized finance in emerging markets.
Why This Matters
- Users benefit from seamless stablecoin payments bridging crypto with mobile money and banking.
- ViFi Labs gains traction, combining its DeFi infrastructure with OneRamp’s existing user base and regional reach.
- Emerging markets gain a compliant, on‑chain FX and payment solution at scale.
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