In a world crowded with cryptocurrency startups, standing out often requires a certain amount of boldness. He enters RampMeDaddya name that reflects domain registrar GoDaddy’s bold branding, while promising something entirely different: seamless crypto transactions via Telegram.
What started as a hackathon project at Consensus 2024 has evolved into Telegram’s first native memecoin wallet, with the goal of eventually making cryptocurrency transfers as simple as sending a text message (if you want to apply for the EasyA Hackathon at Consensus Hong Kong 2025). Please go here).
Co-founders Andrey Shabanov and Trevor Hoffman are not newcomers to the digital asset space. The duo previously served as executives at iTrust Capital, a cryptocurrency IRA provider, which they helped expand into a $1.3 billion company. However, RampMeDaddy represents a radical shift in the type of users being served. The transition from cautious retirement planners to the volatile world of memecoin traders could test the duo’s expertise in risk management and user protection.
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Their solution leverages Telegram’s massive global user base – over a billion users – which is particularly crypto-savvy. According to Hoffman, about 84% of cryptocurrency users maintain active accounts on Telegram, making it an ideal launching pad for peer-to-peer payment solutions. 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 United States, payments become more complicated,” explains Shabanov. “With Stellar Anchors, we can facilitate entry and exit in more than 100 countries, making payments truly borderless.” The team chose Stellar for its speed, low transaction costs, and broad core network, all of which align with their mission to democratize finance.
Security remains paramount, as the wallet includes biometric authentication and local key storage. Users can access their funds through Face ID or fingerprint verification, eliminating the need to manage the seed phrase. In the event of a device loss, a Web2-style recovery process allows the wallet to be recovered via email verification.
Since winning the hackathon, RampMeDaddy has secured partnerships with the Stellar Foundation and Draper U Ventures, expanding their initial vision beyond just cryptocurrency development. The seven-person team, which includes a former compliance executive at BNY Mellon, is preparing to launch its wallet in January along with a Telegram mini-game to raise user awareness.
Looking to the future, Shabanov and Hoffman envision RampMeDaddy becoming the leading digital wallet for global borderless payments. “Within five to ten years, we aim to be a one-stop-shop for digital identity and payments, all inside and outside of Telegram,” Shabanov said. The team also plans to expand horizontally by integrating with multiple chains and DEXs, giving users early access to memcoins while maintaining their primary focus on simplified peer-to-peer transactions.
“When you’re away from home, cash is still king,” says Shabanov. “But in our world, dad has a better way to pay.” With over a billion Telegram users and the limitless promise of cryptocurrency, RampMeDaddy’s irreverent approach to traditional fintech may be crazy enough to succeed.
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