Financial inclusion continues to be a focus for organisations. Targeting unbanked/underbanked populations has become the sole purpose for fintechs like Strucutre.fi.
Structure.fi, the wealthtech’s platform was built for those in emerging markets. It provides its customers with the ability to invest – something that was previously restricted due to a lack of services.
Bryan Hernandez is the president and co-founder of Structure.fi, a DeFi, crypto, and traditional markets platform that has recently launched in El Salvador and Argentina.
Previously, Hernandez was the founder and CEO of Sonar Trading, a trading firm employing algorithmic strategies in the cryptocurrencies markets. Hernandez entered the fields of trading and investing after a career in computational biology at the Broad Institute of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. During this time he published multiple articles in Nature, Cell, and other peer-reviewed journals. He graduated from MIT in 2009 with a BS in biological engineering.
He spoke to The Fintech Times to explain how the company can help investors in Argentina:
Can you tell me more about the company and your role within it?
I’m the president and co-founder of Structure.fi. We are a mobile-first investment platform that offers seamless access to both traditional and crypto markets. Structure.fi was designed to be a platform built specifically for investors in emerging markets. Namely, people that the traditional financial system has left behind.
Our goal is to expand access to financial services, giving people around the world the tools they need to save, invest, and take control of their financial futures.
Argentines can use our platform as a tool to build their savings in a digital currency, like a stablecoin.
What are some crypto and blockchain trends in Argentina?
The trends we’re seeing in Argentina are consistent across the region. A rebuke of traditional financial institutions combined with a willingness to experiment, implement, and invest in technology-driven economic solutions.
Argentina specifically is taking significant strides to educate people on the power and promise of blockchain technology. Grassroots campaigns from non-government organisations, like Bitcoin Argentina, are educating Argentine students on Bitcoin and showcase the true value of a digital economy.
The country is ranked second in the region and tenth globally in the adoption of cryptocurrencies. This is due to the volatile nature of local markets, significant government intervention in the economy, and distrust of the country’s traditional financial institutions.
How do the crypto and blockchain markets in Argentina compare with the rest of the region and world’s?
Latin America is undoubtedly one of the most exciting markets globally. According to Chainalysis‘s 2022 Geography of Cryptocurrency report, crypto transactions in Latin America reached $562billion in the Summer of 2022. Up 40 per cent from last year’s total.
These impressive figures demonstrate a clear belief in this technology, and that blockchain adoption continues to steadily rise in spite of market conditions. Remittances and a so-called “fear of fiat” have been among many key motives in this technological revolution in the Southern Hemisphere.
Several regions across Latin America expressed positive dispositions toward cryptocurrencies and the digital economy. Many companies have become very attracted to working in the region to further facilitate this techno-economic movement. Crypto adoption has driven innovation and attracted foreign investment in the form of business coming to the region
The Argentinian market is one of the fastest growing in the already highly exciting region, in terms of adoption. In Argentina, inflation has hit 83 per cent and may continue to rise with some forecasting it may reach 100 per cent.
This is a clear example of the “fear of fiat” and has resulted in many people adopting digital assets and cryptocurrencies to store and utilise value in order to escape their nation’s inflationary pressure. This situation further highlights the need for alternative platforms to increase access to these assets, as well as alternative investing opportunities to facilitate both financial freedom and mobility.
How is Structure.fi‘s service helping improve the sector in the country and region?
Structure.fi’s services provide Argentine investors with seamless access to traditional and digital assets. Through our platform, users can trade blue chip stocks like Amazon and Tesla, for example, as well as digital currencies like BTC and ETH all on the same platform. Additionally, Argentines can use our platform as a tool to build their savings in a digital currency, like a stablecoin. This would be safer than the Argentine peso, which has been battered by inflation rates as high as 83 per cent.
It is Structure.fi’s foremost goal to provide financial tools and services for people who have been left out of the economy for too long. We want to bring them into the formal economy and create opportunities for financial mobility. By providing services that many investors across Latin America are hungry for: increased access to financial services. Structure.fi is opening the door for Latin America to participate in the new digital economy.
What are some unique challenges Structure.fi has faced in the region?
For all crypto projects, education is a key obstacle in achieving mainstream adoption. That’s why we have created a platform that is intuitive, easy to use, and removes friction points that have plagued digital financial tools.
Plans for the future (roadmap and growth plan)
Structure.fi was inspired by the 2008 financial crisis to address major pitfalls of the traditional financial industry that alienate everyday investors by breaking down economic barriers and inviting a new class of investors to the global economic system.
Structure.fi will continue to expand to emerging markets around the world to further our mission of proliferating financial access and increasing opportunities for financial mobility.
We have taken a particular interest in Latin America due to the incredible reception of crypto. There is a severe market need for a simple, trusted financial tool in the region. In the near future, our team expects to expand the number of assets we offer on the platform, giving global investors access to an expansive menu of financial opportunities.
