A16z-backed Shield Raises $5M to Enable Global Trade in Crypto

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Published by Stephen Oluwadara at September 23, 2025

The Idea Called Shield

Launched in 2022 and pivoting to payments in 2024, Shield enables exporters and importers to settle cross-border transactions in U.S. cryptocurrencies. The startup also provides compliance screenings, helping companies address sanctions risks and money-laundering threats.

Emmanuel Udotong, co-founder and CEO, said that Shield was created to push blockchain beyond speculation and scams into mainstream financial use cases. “We wanted to help bring blockchain technology into the real economy by solving real problems,” he told TechCrunch.

So, he teamed up with his brother, Isaiah, and his college best friend, Luis Carchi, to explore how stablecoins could be used in international payments. This idea stemmed from a pain point the trio faced when they last tried to build a trade business.

The team is addressing a longstanding global issue. Businesses in Latin America, Africa, and certain parts of Asia frequently encounter lengthy delays, high fees, and limited access to U.S. dollars when engaging in international trade.

“Today, trade businesses in regions like Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia often wait days or weeks for international wires, pay high fees, and in many cases, can’t access U.S. dollars at all,” Udotong explained.

Such limitations reduce buyer opportunities, restrict growth, and, in many cases, lead to business failure. Shield is changing this by enabling faster, cheaper, and more accessible cross-border payments using crypto rails.

The company is already registered as a money service business in the U.S. and as a crypto exchange in the EU, reinforcing its compliance-driven approach.

The Road Ahead for Shield

Shield has processed over $100 million in payments since launch, with $40 million handled in the past month. This growth is a result of the crypto industry rebounding after years of reputational challenges, with venture funding and unicorn valuations returning to the space.

The startup, registered as a money service business in the U.S. and as a crypto exchange in the EU, is entering a crowded and competitive market. Shield faces challengers ranging from dozens of young fintechs to established players like PayPal’s Xoom and Stripe’s Bridge, both of which already dominate segments of the international payments market.

Despite this, the platform is betting on its crypto-first infrastructure and compliance focus to give it an edge in emerging markets underserved by traditional banking systems.

This $5 million round brings Shield’s total funding to $7 million to date. The lead investor, Giant Ventures, was introduced to the founders through a fellow founder. Other investors include Chris Dixon’s a16z crypto startup accelerator, Factor Capital, Coinbase, and Bank of America as strategic angel investors.

The new funding will be used to secure additional banking partnerships. The company currently works with two undisclosed banks and is seeking to develop its compliance infrastructure further.

“That includes expanding licensing coverage, upgrading transaction monitoring and fraud detection, and growing our compliance team headcount and expertise,” Udotong noted.

With this latest funding, Shield plans to accelerate its efforts to give global trade businesses a fairer chance at growth. Udotong said that the company’s mission goes beyond profits to support economic inclusion.

“If we succeed, more businesses in underserved regions will survive and grow, creating jobs and wealth for their communities instead of being left behind,” he said.

Shield’s journey highlights how crypto is gradually moving from speculative trading toward real-world financial solutions, especially in emerging markets that have long faced barriers to global trade.

Image Credits: Shield