In places where people still mostly use cash, stablecoins are slowly carving out a path, particularly in emerging markets like the Philippines.
Notably, stablecoins offer a reliable alternative to physical cash, promising reduced transaction costs and increased payment speed. While traditional cash usage remains deeply ingrained, stablecoins introduce a layer of efficiency, security, and accessibility, especially for those underserved by conventional banking systems. In addition, they also facilitate seamless, low-cost cross-border payment remittances and even strengthen local businesses to engage in international trade without bank accounts.
That said, we got the chance to interview the co-founder of Ripe, Sam Silver, during the recent Cebu Blockchain Conference 2025 in Cebu City, Philippines. This groundbreaking event is Cebu City’s first-ever crypto and blockchain conference in partnership with Web3 Cebu and WAV3.
What Is Ripe?
Ripe is a cryptocurrency off-ramp service co-founded by Chuck Lam and Sam Silver in 2023, based in Manila, Philippines. Notably, the company facilitates the conversion of stablecoins into local currencies, making it easier for users to pay with crypto from their DeFi wallets to Web2 e-wallets.
“We enable payments with stablecoins to e-wallets like GCash in the Philippines, PayNow in Singapore, MoMo in Vietnam, Touch ‘n Go in Malaysia, are accepted,” Sam Silver, co-founder of Ripe, told UseTheBitcoin during the recent Cebu Blockchain Conference 2025. ”Ripe is a decentralized application that is accessible in your Web3 wallet browsers such as Phantom, Trust Wallet, or MetaMask; we are also embedding QR features to a lot of crypto wallets to allow this functionality of spending your crypto wherever e-wallet payments are accepted,” Silver added.
The company operates on the philosophy of empowering individuals in underserved markets through stablecoins, aiming to integrate the digital economy with traditional financial (TradFi) systems for sustainable growth and economic independence.
How Is Ripe Aligning Its Services With Local Cash-Based Payment Habits In The Philippines?
It is worth noting that Ripe is strategically aligning its services with the local payment habits in the Philippines by recognizing and adapting to the prevalent use of cash while also capitalizing on the significant shift towards digital payments.
Silver acknowledges that cash remains dominant in the country. However, the landscape has been changing, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in e-wallet usage has been further supported by the widespread acceptance of such payment methods in local stores, making digital transactions more common and convenient.
As such, Ripe is currently leveraging this trend by integrating its services to allow stablecoin payments directly into e-wallets, bridging the gap between crypto and the increasingly digital payment ecosystem in the Philippines.
Silver highlighted:
“I agree that cash is still dominant here in the Philippines. However, during the pandemic, e-wallets really became much more mass-adopted than formerly, so I think the adoption of GCash here was about 20% before the pandemic, but now, it’s about 80%. And so, if you go to any 7-Eleven or sari-sari store, they would most likely accept GCash. And there have been similar levels of adoption for e-wallets in other countries like Vietnam, Singapore, etc., and I think e-wallet usage is very prevalent, aligning our services.”
How To Use Ripe For Stablecoin Payments?
To use Ripe for stablecoin payments, please follow these steps:
Create A Web3 Wallet And Deposit Some Stablecoins
Web3 wallets such as MetaMask, Phantom, and Trust Wallet are supported. In this demonstration, let’s use Phantom as an example. Also, deposit some Solana (SOL) tokens for gas fee transactions.
Open Your Web3 Wallet’s Built-In Browser And Head Over To pay.ripe.money
Scan The QR Code To Pay
Enter The Exact Amount To Be Paid In Your Local Currency
Confirm The Transaction And Hit Send
Current Developments For Ripe
Ripe is currently expanding its capabilities by aiming to support all stablecoins, various crypto wallets, and markets across Southeast Asia (SEA), focusing on leveraging the network effect to enhance its service reach.
Furthermore, the company is actively collaborating with major stablecoin issuers, including Circle ($USDC), Tether ($USDT), and PayPal ($PYUSD), to ensure broader compatibility and acceptance.
On the investment front, Ripe has recently signed term sheets with investors, with announcements expected in the near future. Additionally, Ripe has secured funding, which they are using to expand their team, indicating ongoing recruitment efforts to support their growth ambitions.
With that, Silver expresses optimism about the increasing proliferation of stablecoins and hopes for their wider adoption and use.
Ripe Is Hiring!
Ripe is currently expanding its team and actively seeking new talent, mainly for marketing positions and other roles within the company.
If you are interested in stablecoins, including their use cases and potential applications, Ripe would be interested in hearing from you. Those with knowledge and enthusiasm for this area are encouraged to reach out to Sam Silver directly at [email protected] or to [email protected] for further discussion about potential opportunities!
Official Social Media Channels
For further information on Ripe and to stay updated on their announcements, please visit their website and follow their official social media channels provided below:
👉 Website: https://www.ripe.money/
👉 dApp: https://pay.ripe.money/
👉 Twitter/X: https://x.com/PayWithRipe
👉 Telegram: https://t.me/ripemoney
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ripemoney
👉 Sam Silver’s LinkedIn: https://ph.linkedin.com/in/sam-silver-92075212
