Ex-Coinbase, Airbnb execs launch programmable stablecoin platform for fintechs, enterprises

Dakota, a stablecoin-focused neobank founded by veterans of Coinbase, Square, and Airbnb, has launched a platform that allows fintechs and enterprises to embed regulated, programmable global money movement via APIs.

Cross-border money movement remains slow and expensive, and while stablecoins offer speed, adoption has been limited by regulatory and operational challenges. Dakota wants to address this by providing infrastructure that works across jurisdictions and rails, unlocking scalable global payments.

The platform enables companies to offer payments, treasury, and payouts using stablecoins directly in their products, bridging digital assets with real-world compliance across the US and Europe, the company stated.

“Most companies don’t want to become banks or payments networks,” said Ryan Bozarth, Dakota’s co-founder and CEO. “They want reliable, regulated primitives that let them move money inside their own products. Dakota is building that infrastructure so teams can stay focused on product and growth, not licensing, custody, or compliance.”

Dakota operates as a registered Money Services Business in the US with active state Money Transmitter Licenses and is acquiring an EMI and CASP in Europe. Compliance features are embedded directly into the platform through automated KYB, AML, transaction monitoring, and risk controls.

“If stablecoins are going to power real economic activity, they need to integrate with existing compliance and risk standards,” Bozarth added. “Our role is to make that integration native, not an afterthought.”

Founded in 2022, Dakota offers business customers bank-like services such as checking accounts and yields on deposits, while using stablecoins to move money between customers and its banking partners.

In July 2025, the firm secured $12.5 million in a Series A funding round led by crypto venture firm CoinFund, with participation from 6th Man Ventures, Digital Currency Group, and Triton Ventures.