Mobile‑First Stablecoins in LATAM – Marek Olszewski on Celo | Frontera

What if every smartphone in Latin America could hold digital dollars that move as easily as a WhatsApp message? In this Frontier episode, host Abraham CR sits down with Marek Olszewski—co‑founder of Celo and CEO of Cabana—to unpack the rise of mobile‑first stablecoins. Marek explains how Celo’s new Ethereum L2, ultra‑low fees, and carbon‑negative design make US‑dollar and local‑fiat stablecoins (COP, BRL, MXN and more) practical for daily spending, remittances, and FX hedging. Learn why wallets like Valora and Minipay already serve 8 M+ users, how uncollateralized lending and on‑off ramps unlock real‑world finance, and why builders targeting payments in emerging markets gravitate to Celo. If you care about financial inclusion, inflation‑proof savings, and the future of crypto adoption in LATAM, this conversation is a must‑listen.

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00:00 – Intro

04:13 – LATAM Inflation and Real-World Economic Lessons

08:50 – The Rise of Local Stablecoins in Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico

13:06 – Celo’s Stablecoin Strategy: Local Units of Account

16:57 – Mobile Users and the Power of Minipay & Valora

22:20 – Why Builders Are Choosing Celo

26:44 – Stablecoin Liquidity and Global On/Off-Ramps

27:13 – Celo's Environmental Vision: Carbon-Negative Blockchain

29:03 – Cultural & Economic Differences Between LATAM and the US

31:07 – Where to Learn More About Celo and Contact Marek

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