In the crowded world of crypto startups, distinguishing oneself frequently necessitates a hint of audacity. Enter RampMeDaddy, a name that resonates with the bold branding of domain registrar GoDaddy, while promising something entirely distinct: seamless crypto transactions via Telegram.
What began as a hackathon project at Consensus 2024 has transformed into the first Telegram-native memecoin wallet, aiming to ultimately make cryptocurrency transfers as straightforward as sending a text message (if you’d like to apply for the EasyA Hackathon at Consensus Hong Kong 2025, please go here).
Co-founders Andrey Chabanov and Trevor Hoffman are not unfamiliar with the digital assets realm. They previously served as executives at iTrust Capital, a crypto IRA service provider that they propelled into a $1.3 billion company. However, RampMeDaddy signifies a striking transition in the type of users served. Transitioning from cautious retirement planners to the tumultuous world of memecoin traders could indeed test the duo’s expertise in risk management and user protection.
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Their solution exploits Telegram's massive global user base—over one billion strong—especially among crypto-savvy individuals. According to Hoffman, around 84% of crypto users retain active Telegram accounts, making it an ideal launchpad for their peer-to-peer payment solution. The wallet allows users to buy, sell, and trade memecoins while facilitating cross-border transactions using USDC on the Stellar blockchain.
"When you leave the U.S., payments become much more complex," explains Chabanov. "Through Stellar anchors, we can facilitate on- and off-ramping in over 100 countries, making payments truly borderless." The team selected Stellar for its speed, low transaction costs, and extensive anchor network, aligning with their mission to democratize finance.
Security is a top priority, with the wallet integrating biometric authentication and local key storage. Users can access their funds through Face ID or fingerprint verification, negating the need for seed phrase management. Should a device get lost, a Web2-style recovery process allows for wallet restoration via email verification.
Since winning the hackathon, RampMeDaddy has secured partnerships with the Stellar Foundation and Draper U Ventures, broadening their initial vision beyond basic crypto on-ramping. The seven-person team, which includes a former BNY Mellon compliance executive, is gearing up to launch its wallet in January alongside a Telegram mini-game to boost user engagement.
Looking forward, Chabanov and Hoffman envisage RampMeDaddy becoming the premier digital wallet for global, borderless payments. "In five to ten years, we aim to be a one-stop shop for digital identity and payments, all within Telegram and beyond," Chabanov remarked. The team also intends to expand horizontally by integrating multiple chains and DEXs, providing users with early access to memecoins while focusing on simplified peer-to-peer transactions.
"When you’re far from home, cash is still king. But in our world, Daddy's got a better way to pay," asserted Chabanov. With Telegram's billion-plus users and crypto's borderless capability, RampMeDaddy's irreverent take on traditional fintech might just be audacious enough to succeed.
