DeFi startup PlutoPe raises $500K in pre-Seed round

Indian crypto innovation takes center stage as PlutoPe secures $500K to build the future of decentralized finance!

What is the news?

PlutoPe raised $500K in pre-seed funding led by angel investor Manit Gupta
Founded in 2022 by Kumar Chetan Tyagi, building a non-custodial crypto neobank
Platform unifies wallet, swap, and card infrastructure into a decentralized stack designed for global scale, without dependencies on exchanges or legacy rails
Planning to launch crypto debit cards across MENA, SEA, and LATAM regions, plus a merchant app for crypto acceptance and a one-tap on-ramp for Indian users
Strong traction: 9% month-on-month user growth, 65% active user retention, and over $14.5 million in swaps processed

Why is it interesting?

This represents the next evolution of Indian fintech, from building payment rails to reimagining global financial infrastructure through DeFi.
PlutoPe’s approach of combining traditional banking simplicity with decentralized ownership addresses a critical gap in crypto adoption. Their focus on emerging markets (MENA, SEA, LATAM) plus targeted solutions for Indian users shows strategic thinking about global-local balance.
The company’s mission to empower individuals to access the digital economy by removing barriers like limited infrastructure and low digital literacy could be transformative for underserved communities worldwide.