Episode 117 - From Dollar to Digital: Building Trust in the Age of Stablecoins

In Episode 117 of the Fintech Garden podcast by DashDevs, Igor Tomych is joined by Ayo Ojerinola, Founder & CEO of Nobo, to explore how stablecoins are transforming the future of money—from cross-border payments and DeFi lending to tokenized assets and mass adoption.

Ayo Ojerinola is a fintech entrepreneur and product strategist building Nobo, a Web2.5 neobank that bridges traditional finance (TradFi) with blockchain-based innovation. With deep experience across payments, digital banking, and financial services, Ayo is focused on making Web3 technology intuitive and accessible for everyday users.

Why Stablecoins Matter in 2025

While early cryptocurrencies were defined by volatility, fiat-backed stablecoins like USDT and USDC introduced price stability—making them essential tools in today’s digital finance ecosystem.

Igor and Ayo explore how stablecoins are being used for:

• Cross-border payments without pre-funded accounts
• Real-time on-chain liquidity for digital assets
• DeFi lending and investing with low entry thresholds
• Tokenization of real-world assets and cheaper settlements

They also break down why major players like Stripe, MoonPay, and even central banks are now embracing stablecoins—and how 2025 could mark a turning point for mainstream adoption.

Bridging TradFi and Web3: The UX Challenge

The episode highlights the UX hurdles that are holding back adoption. Ayo explains how Nobo is solving this by offering:

• Custodial and non-custodial wallets—depending on user needs
• A familiar banking-like interface with Web3 infrastructure behind the scenes
• Simplicity and accessibility without compromising user control

With relatable analogies (like Gmail vs self-hosted email), they show why most people don’t want to manage private keys or blockchain protocols—they just want to pay for coffee.

Regulation, Innovation & What Comes Next

The global regulatory landscape is quickly evolving. The episode touches on:

• The impact of MICA in the EU and U.S. policy support for USD-backed stablecoins
• Why regions like MENA and Singapore are leading on crypto regulation
• How fintech builders can take advantage of this moment to innovate

Who Should Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for:

• Merchants seeking faster, cheaper, and more secure payment rails
• Consumers expecting seamless, multi-functional financial apps
• Fintech teams evaluating how to build, partner, or integrate with stablecoin infrastructure

🎙️ Tune in to Episode 117 for a clear, insightful breakdown of how stablecoins are becoming the foundation of next-gen financial services—and what your fintech product strategy should consider now.