Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies
Abstract
This teaching case follows VelaFi, a Mexico-based financial-technology startup offering cross-border payments using stablecoins, as it faces competition from large, well-funded firms. Its chief executive must decide how the company can defend a position after the business model has demonstrated the potential to make transfers faster and less costly than traditional correspondent banking. The case frames strategic options such as specializing in international payroll or global treasury services, serving underserved Latin American small and medium-sized businesses, or differentiating through service. It is designed for students to analyze technology-driven disruption in emerging-market financial services, stablecoins and monetary concepts, competitive strategy, and the role of regulation. It presents a decision problem for classroom discussion rather than a research study with empirical findings.