Arf is a Switzerland-based fintech innovator offering blockchain-powered financial infrastructure for licensed financial institutions worldwide. Specializing in real-time liquidity and cross-border payments, Arf is revolutionizing global finance by bridging traditional banking and decentralized finance (DeFi) through compliance-driven and scalable solutions.
Brief History
Founded by Ali Erhat Nalbant, Arf was launched with a vision to enable borderless financial services that are both real-time and regulatory-compliant. Recognizing inefficiencies in correspondent banking and capital constraints in international payments, Arf designed a liquidity infrastructure that leverages digital assets without compromising on financial compliance. With its headquarters in Steinhausen, Switzerland, and teams distributed globally, Arf has quickly become a rising name in the regulated DeFi space.
Core Business
Arf provides blockchain-enabled liquidity and payment infrastructure to:
- Licensed financial institutions
- Money service businesses (MSBs)
- Cross-border payment networks
- Digital wallets and neobanks
Its core services are built to support real-time settlements, on/off-ramp capabilities, and programmable liquidity with full transparency and regulatory alignment.
Product and Service Offerings
-
Arf Credit Line
- USDC-denominated, short-term credit line
- Available exclusively to licensed financial institutions
- Designed to reduce capital inefficiencies in cross-border operations
- Fully collateralized and underwritten through real-time data integrations
-
Arf Network
- A global fiat-to-fiat payment network with embedded compliance
- On/off-ramp access with banking partners in over 30 countries
- Enables instant settlements using stablecoins with end-to-end visibility
-
PayFi Stack
- Modular transaction framework for real-time liquidity provisioning
- Tokenization of assets to facilitate real-time settlement without pre-funding
- Compatible with multiple APIs and KYC/AML integration tools
Each of these services is deployed with enterprise-grade security and compliant ledger systems, supporting transparency and auditability.
Specialization and Core USP
- Compliance-Native Architecture – KYC/AML integration, risk scoring, and continuous compliance monitoring built into the transaction layer
- Real-Time Credit Infrastructure – Eliminates capital locking in traditional settlement models
- Fiat-Blockchain Hybrid Design – Combines the reliability of fiat rails with the efficiency of stablecoins
- Cross-Border Liquidity on Demand – Proprietary underwriting engine allows faster credit decisions based on transactional data
Arf uniquely blends the programmability of DeFi with the regulatory frameworks of global finance.
Financials
As a fast-scaling fintech, Arf remains privately funded, backed by industry-leading venture capital. According to public funding disclosures and industry estimates:
- Total funding raised: $13 million (latest round led by Hard Yaka, 500 Global, and Blockchain Founders Fund)
- Over $500 million in annual cross-border volume processed via Arf Network as of 2023
- Credit line usage growth: >400% YoY with zero defaults recorded among institutional borrowers
- Partners in over 50 countries, including key corridors in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia
Shipment Data (Financial Infrastructure Reach)
- Active in 100+ fiat corridors globally
- Partnerships with 20+ local banks and PSPs
- On-ramp/off-ramp solutions integrated in 30 countries
- Supports stablecoin interoperability including USDC, USDT, and other major tokens
Its liquidity network handles thousands of real-time transactions per day for enterprise clients.
Target Market
- Licensed remittance service providers
- Cross-border PSPs (Payment Service Providers)
- Digital banks and fintechs with multicurrency wallets
- Treasury departments seeking capital-efficient liquidity
- Enterprises requiring real-time settlement solutions
Clients benefit from improved working capital, reduced transaction times, and lower FX risk.
Capabilities
- Proprietary real-time underwriting engine
- Tokenized credit infrastructure using stablecoins
- Enterprise integrations with APIs and sandbox environments
- RegTech modules for transaction monitoring and reporting
- Partnership-ready infrastructure for banks, wallets, and exchanges
Certifications and Compliance Records
- Swiss FINMA-registered corporate entity
- FATF-compliant transaction and customer monitoring
- Blockchain analytics integration for transaction screening
- In adherence with global AML/KYC protocols via embedded RegTech stack
Customer Testimonials
"Arf’s Credit Line gave us instant liquidity across corridors where traditional banking was impossible. It’s now a backbone of our treasury strategy." — CFO, Africa-based Cross-Border PSP
"We used to wait days for settlements. With Arf Network, we now process real-time fiat-to-fiat transactions with full compliance." — CTO, Licensed MSB in Latin America
Major Achievements
- Winner of 2023 Global Fintech Awards – Best Blockchain Payment Infrastructure
- Processed over $1 billion in stablecoin transactions since inception
- Partnered with Stellar Development Foundation for network expansion
- Featured in CoinDesk, Forbes, and TechCrunch as a top fintech innovator
- Recognized for enabling Regulated DeFi in payment corridors underserved by traditional finance
