Exodus Movement (EXOD), a U.S.-listed crypto wallet company, said Monday it will acquire Grateful, a Uruguay-based startup providing stablecoin payment tools for merchants. The deal, part of Exodus’s expansion into Latin America, will fold Grateful’s digital payments software into its self-custody wallet platform.
Grateful’s system enables businesses to accept stablecoins through wallet-to-wallet transactions, QR-based point-of-sale checkout and onchain invoicing. Merchants can also track settlements and convert digital assets into local currencies through a unified dashboard. Exodus said it plans to integrate these functions across its ecosystem, which supports blockchains including Solana and Arbitrum.
“Grateful is a natural complement for our efforts to expand access to digital payments and cryptocurrency in Latin America,” said CEO JP Richardson. “The gig and creator economy is rapidly growing in emerging markets, and stablecoin-based payment rails enable invoicing, recurring payments and on-chain settlements.”
Investor Takeaway
Stablecoins Drive Global Payments Growth
The acquisition reflects a wider industry move to embed stablecoins into payment networks as regulators and institutions show greater comfort with digital dollar assets. Stablecoin transactions are projected to reach $1 trillion a year by 2030, according to estimates from Keyrock and Bitso, driven by lower fees and cross-border accessibility.
Exodus’s move follows similar transactions aimed at building blockchain-based payment infrastructure. Earlier this year, Stripe bought stablecoin technology provider Bridge and wallet firm Privy to reinforce its crypto payment stack, while the XDC Network acquired Contour to develop stablecoin-based trade finance solutions. These deals underscore growing competition among fintech firms looking to capture transaction flows previously dominated by banks and card processors.
In April, Exodus partnered with Mastercard and Baanx to launch a crypto debit card that allows customers to spend Tether’s USDT and other assets directly. The company said the Grateful acquisition complements this effort by giving merchants a ready-made system to accept the same digital currencies at the point of sale.
Latin America’s Stablecoin Momentum
Latin America has emerged as one of the fastest-growing markets for stablecoin adoption, driven by volatile local currencies and high remittance costs. Platforms such as Bitso and Circle report steady growth in USDC and USDT volumes across Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. By integrating Grateful’s merchant tools, Exodus aims to capture retail and small-business users who increasingly rely on crypto to avoid local currency depreciation and banking friction.
Grateful’s infrastructure is already used by small retailers and service providers in Uruguay and neighboring countries. Its payment APIs and QR checkout system allow users to send and receive dollar-pegged stablecoins without needing traditional merchant accounts or banking intermediaries — an advantage in markets where credit card penetration remains low.
Exodus said the combination will give gig workers and entrepreneurs faster access to funds while improving transparency through blockchain-based accounting tools. The company’s long-term goal, according to executives familiar with the deal, is to make Exodus a “one-stop interface” for holding, paying and earning with digital assets.
Investor Takeaway
Market Reaction
Exodus shares rose about 5% on Monday, outperforming broader digital asset stocks as Bitcoin climbed past $105,000 and altcoins extended weekend gains. Analysts said the uptick reflected optimism around payment-oriented acquisitions rather than market-wide speculation. The company’s stock, listed on the NYSE American exchange under the ticker EXOD, has gained nearly 20% year-to-date amid a rally in crypto-related equities.
While financial terms of the Grateful acquisition were not disclosed, people familiar with the matter said the transaction involves a mix of cash and stock. The deal is expected to close later this quarter, pending regulatory review in Uruguay and the United States. Once completed, Grateful’s founding team will join Exodus to lead its Latin American operations.
