Quadrillions: How to Win the World | Chris Maurice
In this episode, Chris Maurice, Co-founder & CEO of Yellow Card, joins us to explore how compliant crypto rails are reshaping everyday money movement across Africa. We dig into stablecoins as practical financial tools, the regulatory groundwork that makes them usable, and what it takes to build a pan-African fintech that can withstand FX volatility, fragmented payment systems, and shifting policy environments.
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Quadrillions brings together the voices defining the next era of finance. From institutional rails to stablecoins and privacy, the series dives into how traditional markets, crypto innovation, and regulatory frameworks are converging to bring the full force of capital markets onchain.
Join hosts Jason Yanowitz, Yuval Rooz, and Eric Saraniecki for deep dives with special guests Shaul Kfir, Don Wilson, Mike Belshe, Justin Peterson, Acting Chair Caroline Pham, Eli Ben-Sasson, and more.
Produced by Blockworks and Canton Network. For more information, check out https://quadrillionspod.com/
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Follow Canton: https://x.com/CantonNetwork
Follow Yellow Card: https://x.com/YellowCard_App
Follow Chris: https://x.com/chrismaurice
Follow Eric: https://x.com/wesarn_real
Follow Jason: https://x.com/JasonYanowitz
Follow Empire: https://twitter.com/theempirepod
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Introduction
(2:02) Crypto Adoption Worldwide
(6:24) What's Blocking Dollar Demand?
(9:28) Canton's Focus on Emerging Markets
(12:39) Infrastructure Challenges
(15:46) The Role of Stablecoins
(19:23) L1 Activity and Self-Custody Trends
(25:04) FX Challenges
(37:15) Regulations in Africa
(41:37) Emerging Markets in Crypto
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Disclaimer: “Quadrillions” is a mini-series produced by Blockworks, and is sponsored by Canton Network. Nothing on this show is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. It’s for informational purposes only, and the views expressed by anyone on the show are solely their opinions, not financial advice or necessarily the views of Blockworks.
Our hosts, guests, and the Blockworks team may hold positions in companies, funds, or projects discussed, including those related to Canton Network.
'Massive' stablecoin adoption is reshaping payments in emerging markets
The Scoop's host, Frank Chaparro, was joined by Yellow Card Financial CTO and Co-Founder Justin Poiroux.
In this episode, Chaparro and Poiroux discussed the rapid adoption of stablecoins in emerging markets, particularly in Africa. They explore how stablecoins are solving cross-border payment issues, and how Yellow Card is looking to bridging the gap between the developing world and the global financial system.
OUTLINE
00:00 - Introduction
00:58 - Sponsor break
03:44 - Understanding Yellow Card
05:56 - Challenges of building in Africa
08:04 - How Yellow Card addresses cross-border payments
15:53 - Yellow Card’s origins
20:02 - Early challenges
25:03 - Educating users & building trust in emerging markets
28:26 - Looking ahead
34:40 - Conclusion
GUEST LINKS
Justin Poiroux - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinpoiroux/
Yellow Card Financial - https://yellowcard.io/
Yellow Card Financial on X - https://x.com/yellowcard_app
This episode is brought to your by our sponsors:
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How This Stablecoin Business in Africa Is Taking on SWIFT and Big Banks - Ep. 722
Africa is quickly becoming one of the most dynamic regions for crypto adoption, but the story unfolding there is very different from what many in the West might imagine.
Chris Maurice, co-founder and CEO of Yellow Card, joins the show to share how stablecoins are already transforming businesses across the continent, solving real-world problems, and taking on SWIFT. Plus, he explains why USDT is the stablecoin of choice there.
He also dives into the long-term economic impact of crypto adoption and explains why anyone serious about business should be paying close attention to Africa.
Show highlights:
What Yellow Card is and the focus on U.S. Dollar stablecoins
The complexities of doing business in Africa
Which African countries have the highest rate of adoption
Chris’s background and his fun story of how he got into working in Africa
How operating a company in Africa is different from other places
Why Yellow Card is currently operating with three stablecoins, and the dominance of USDT
Why Yellow Card only offers centralized stablecoins
Why everyone should pay more attention to the continent, according to Chris
Visit our website for breaking news, analysis, op-eds, articles to learn about crypto, and much more: unchainedcrypto.com
Thank you to our sponsors!
Polkadot
Mantle
Robinhood & Arbitrum
Guest:
Chris Maurice, cofounder and CEO of Yellow Card
Links
Previous coverage of Unchained on stablecoins and emerging markets:
Anita Posch on Why ‘Bitcoin Is a Tool for Freedom’ – Especially in Africa
6 Stablecoins That Are Driving the Sector’s Two-Year High in Market Capitalization
Castle Island Ventures’ report: Stablecoins: The Emerging Market Story
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:03 What Yellow Card is and why it focuses on U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins
04:31 The complexities of doing business in Africa
10:42 Which African countries have the highest crypto adoption
19:17 How Chris got into working in Africa
25:11 How operating in Africa differs from other regions
32:42 Why USDT dominates Yellow Card’s stablecoin business
38:31 Why Yellow Card only uses centralized stablecoins
39:22 Does Africa deserve more attention?
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