Karta bets on global financial inclusion after closing a Series A round of US$15 million

Karta secured a US$15 million Series A funding round with the goal of tackling one of the global financial system’s most persistent challenges: access to dollar-denominated credit for people living outside the United States.

The company operates at the intersection of fintech, financial inclusion, and cross-border banking, developing solutions for users whose financial activities extend beyond the borders of a single country.

A startup born from Latin America’s financial challenges

Karta was founded by Latin American entrepreneurs Freddy Juez and Orlando Espinoza, who experienced firsthand the limitations of traditional banking systems when operating internationally.

For years, they observed the difficulties professionals, investors, and students face when trying to access financial products denominated in U.S. dollars. Lengthy bureaucratic processes, limited banking flexibility, and barriers to building a credit history abroad often make it difficult to participate in the global economy.

These experiences gave rise to Karta’s vision. Rather than creating another premium credit card, the company set out to develop a solution designed specifically for people whose personal and professional lives span multiple countries.

“The question Karta is trying to answer is simple: What should the default credit card be for Latin America’s global citizens?”

This regional vision, combined with international ambition, has shaped both the company’s product and its growth strategy.

The Series A round will fuel international expansion

The company recently announced a US$15 million Series A round led by Galaxy, with participation from Canary, Clocktower Ventures, and Illuminate Financial.

The investment reflects investors’ growing confidence that access to dollar-denominated credit for people who are not U.S. residents represents a significant global opportunity, not a niche market.

In addition to the equity financing, Karta secured a US$125 million credit facility, strengthening the financial structure needed to support its growth and expansion into new markets.

At the heart of its strategy is a clear goal: to enable people outside the United States to access a credit card issued in the country while building a U.S. credit history.

A WhatsApp-powered financial experience

Karta’s offering centers on a credit card issued in the United States, initially aimed at global users with assets in that market, especially in Latin America and Europe.

The product’s main features include:

• Access to credit in U.S. dollars.
• International acceptance.
• Building a credit history in the United States.
• AI-powered premium services.

One of the platform’s distinguishing features is its operation through WhatsApp. Rather than relying on a traditional banking app, Karta uses an AI-powered concierge that lets users manage services through a conversational interface.

Customer service inquiries, dispute resolution, reservations, and benefits management can be handled directly through a platform that is already part of the daily routine of millions of people in Latin America.

This approach aligns with a growing trend in the financial industry, where conversational technologies aim to simplify access to financial services and deliver more personalized experiences.

Financial inclusion creates a favorable environment

Karta’s expansion coincides with significant progress in financial inclusion across Latin America.

In recent years, the share of adults with access to formal financial accounts has increased significantly, driven largely by banking digitalization and fintech innovation. However, major gaps remain, particularly in access to credit and more sophisticated financial products.

These limitations represent an opportunity for companies capable of combining technology, risk management, and intuitive digital experiences.

The next stage of fintech innovation

The next phase of financial inclusion in Latin America is increasingly focused on improving access to credit, using artificial intelligence for risk assessment, and offering financial services through simple, reliable digital experiences.

Karta’s model brings together these three trends. By combining traditional banking infrastructure, technology-powered risk models, and a conversational interface familiar to users, the company aims to become one of the preferred options for people living and operating outside the United States.

As the global mobility of Latin American professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors increases, Karta is positioning itself to serve a growing segment of users whose financial needs are no longer limited by the borders of a single country.