SukuPay Becomes First Crypto Infrastructure Embedded in a Major Latin American Bank App

Banco Industrial integrates SukuPay to power instant U.S.–Guatemala remittances inside its mobile financial app Zigi, redefining the future of fintech-bank partnerships

MIAMI, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, SukuPay, the fintech company modernizing cross-border payments through invisible crypto infrastructure, has been fully embedded as the remittance engine inside Zigi, the mobile app of Banco Industrial, Guatemala's largest bank, in a breakthrough for blockchain-powered finance.

This integration marks the first time a crypto-native protocol has gone live at this depth inside a top-tier Latin American retail bank — and it's already serving everyday users.

Guatemalans can now receive funds from the U.S. instantly and securely for a flat $0.99 fee, using only a phone number through their existing bank app. No IBANs, no crypto wallets, no hidden steps.

"This isn't a feature — it's a financial infrastructure upgrade," said Yonathan Lapchik, CEO of SukuPay. "By embedding SukuPay inside Zigi, Banco Industrial has become the first bank in Latin America to fully adopt stablecoin rails as a core remittance engine. We're not offering a crypto product. We're powering real-world payments that actually work for real people — banked or unbanked."

Reimagining Remittances with Real Impact

Each year, over $165 billion is sent in remittances from the U.S. to Latin America, with Guatemala receiving over $21 billion in remittances annually, making it the second-largest recipient in Latin America after Mexico. However, traditional remittance services remain outdated and burdened by high fees, slow settlement, and painful user experiences.

SukuPay solves this by abstracting away crypto complexity. Users send and receive money through phone-number-based identity, embedded within the familiar Zigi app. Whether initiated by debit card, Apple Pay, or cash at retailers like Walmart or CVS, funds arrive in Guatemala in under 20 seconds, 24/7. No extra downloads. No conversions. Just a seamless experience — built for the cross-border context.

A Blueprint for the Future of Bank-Fintech Collaboration

Rather than building their own cross-border infrastructure from scratch, a time-consuming and expensive process, Banco Industrial, through its consumer app Zigi, partnered with SukuPay to modernize remittances without compromising on compliance, customer trust, or user experience.

"With SukuPay's infrastructure embedded directly into Zigi, we're not just improving remittances, we're setting a new standard," said Michel Caputi, Head of Strategic Alliances Division at Banco Industrial. "This is a modern solution to a legacy problem — and we're proud to lead the way in Latin America."

This partnership isn't just about sending money faster — it's about redefining what's possible when crypto infrastructure disappears into the background. SukuPay provides a compliant, scalable layer that lets traditional banks reclaim market leadership without requiring their users or teams to navigate the complexities of crypto.

About SukuPay

SukuPay is a fintech company modernizing cross-border payments by embedding blockchain infrastructure into everyday banking experiences. Built for speed, affordability, and accessibility, SukuPay enables users to send and receive money globally using just a phone number — no matter their banking status. The platform powers transfers through stablecoin rails while abstracting away crypto complexity for both users and institutions. SukuPay integrates directly into consumer-facing banking apps, giving financial institutions the tools to reclaim leadership in remittances — without building from scratch.

About Banco Industrial and Zigi

Banco Industrial is Guatemala's largest financial institution, serving millions of customers across Central America. Its consumer app, Zigi, leads in digital adoption, offering accessible, secure, and trusted financial services to Guatemalans everywhere. With the integration of SukuPay, Zigi now offers one of the fastest, most affordable, and seamless remittance experiences in the region.

PR contact:
Ditto PR
Sam Shillet, Associate Vice President
[email protected]

SOURCE Suku Labs, Inc.