Decentralife interviews Bernardo Garcia, co-founder of Félix, a WhatsApp-based payments platform using AI and blockchain to enable cheap remittances for U.S.-based Latino immigrants to Latin America. Celebrating 10 years of the Stellar ecosystem, Garcia shares his immigrant journey and motivation to solve high-fee cross-border payment issues. Félix simplifies sending money via chat, delivering fast and affordable transfers.
In this Decentralife series installment marking a decade of the Stellar ecosystem, Carolyn Yi interviews Bernardo Garcia about Félix, a blockchain-powered WhatsApp chatbot that streamlines remittances for Latino immigrants in the US sending money to Latin America. Garcia recounts his move from Mexico to the US, where he lost 5% of his savings to bank fees on a single transfer, inspiring him to build Félix with co-founder Manuel to serve underserved communities. The platform leverages AI for voice notes and simple commands, making transfers quick and cost-effective without users needing to understand the underlying tech. Early adoption involved in-person assistance to build trust, evolving into a scalable tool. Garcia emphasizes staying connected to customers in Miami and aims for 10x growth this year by enhancing product magic and rails. Félix prioritizes financial inclusion, allowing users to focus on their lives rather than payment hassles.
