Source: Fortune
Summary
Mural, a New York-based startup founded in 2022 by former Palantir engineers, raised $15 million in Series A funding. The company aims to simplify international payments by offering a single platform that supports traditional dollars, local currencies, and stablecoins. The round was led by Tether, with participation from North Island Ventures. Mural’s CEO, Sinclair Toffa, said the platform is designed to help businesses and fintechs launch financial products. Stablecoin payments reached $400 billion in the first eight months of 2026, according to a report by Alvarez & Marsal.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Mural raised $15 million to build a payments platform.
It claims to simplify cross-border money transfers.
Stablecoin use is growing rapidly.
The company’s founders have a background in tech and finance.
Author: Evan Null
From Palantir to Payments
Founded in 2022, Mural is led by Sinclair Toffa and Chris Fernandes, both former Palantir engineers. The startup has raised $28 million in total funding, including a $15 million Series A round led by Tether. Mural’s platform allows businesses to manage international payments through a single account, supporting traditional dollars, local currencies, and stablecoins. The company’s CEO, Toffa, said the system is built to be compliant and scalable for fintech innovation.
Stablecoins and the Future of Finance
Stablecoins have become a key part of financial innovation, offering fast and low-cost cross-border transactions. In the first eight months of 2026, stablecoin payments reached $400 billion, up from the same period in 2025. Cross-border stablecoin flows totaled $220 billion from July 2025 to June 2026, according to Chainalysis. Tether, the issuer of USDT, is a major investor in Mural, signaling confidence in the company’s approach to global payments.
The Vision Behind Mural
Toffa’s interest in international payments began during a visit to Togo, where he saw how expensive and slow remittances were. This experience inspired him to explore blockchain and smart contract technology. At Palantir, he worked on connecting disparate systems, which influenced his approach to Mural. The company’s name, Mural, is a metaphor for communities building financial services together on shared software.
Global Expansion and Team Structure
Mural has offices in New York, Denver, and Bogotá, with employees spread across Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Mexico. The company has 30 employees, reflecting its focus on building a scalable platform. Mural’s founders left their jobs at Palantir to pursue the idea full-time, showing their commitment to the vision. The company’s growth is supported by a mix of venture capital and strategic partnerships.
AI and the Future of Financial Services
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the investment in Mural reflects a belief in AI agents handling financial services. He emphasized the need for payment systems that operate around the clock and reach people globally. Mural’s platform is positioned to support this future, offering a single point of access for businesses and fintechs. The company’s focus on compliance and efficiency aligns with broader trends in financial innovation.
