What Laos National Digital Technology Group does

Laos National Digital Technology Group (LADT) is a Vientiane-headquartered digital technology group established in 2023 under the leadership of AWARP and with direct backing from the Lao Prime Minister's Office, Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Science, Technology and Communications, and Lao National Holding Group. It operates a hybrid Web2/Web3 financial services ecosystem anchored by two core assets: NewPay, Laos' leading mobile payment platform serving over 1.3 million users and 100,000 merchants with Q4 2025 transaction volume exceeding $180 million USD and approximately 25% domestic market share, and USDA (ASEAN USD), the first ASEAN-issued USD-pegged stablecoin. LADT serves three primary customer segments: ASEAN residents and global travelers seeking borderless digital currency for everyday transactions; investors seeking stablecoin exposure with 4%-8% APY yield; and merchants seeking digital payment integration. The entity also operates under the guidance of the Bank of Laos, which has granted LADT exclusive rights for stablecoin issuance.

The technology stack centers on USDA, a 1:1 USD-pegged stablecoin backed 100% by reserves of US dollar deposits, US treasuries, and cash equivalents, deployed on the Ethereum blockchain with Arbitrum One as the layer-2 settlement layer for deposits. USDA is mintable against USD and multiple ASEAN fiat currencies including SGD, MYR, THB, PHP, IDR, and LAK. Mek Finance, an EVM-compatible decentralized lending protocol, enables users to deposit crypto collateral (BTC, ETH) to borrow USDA, or stake USDA with the MEK governance token at a 70/30 ratio to earn 4%-8% APY. NewPay provides the retail-facing layer with over 30 lifestyle services including QR code payments, utility bills, transportation tickets, and government service integration. Reserve backing is verified through monthly publication, third-party fund insurance, and AICPA-standard audits, with smart contracts audited by reputable blockchain security firms. Additional ecosystem products include LaoLife and LaoBud.

LADT's revenue model is multi-stream but not yet disclosed in aggregate. Transaction fees from NewPay's payment volume represent the most mature revenue stream, with additional upside from USDA minting and redemption fees (institutional minimum of 100,000 USDA with KYC), Mek Finance lending interest rate spreads, and MEK token treasury buybacks. Distribution operates through a hybrid model: self-serve via the LADT website and NewPay app for retail users, direct business accounts for enterprises, and cryptocurrency exchange listings for global market access. The go-to-market combines product-led growth (USDA integration through NewPay's existing user base), enterprise field sales (merchant onboarding and institutional investors), and community-led engagement via Twitter, Discord, Telegram, and Medium. LADT has set a stated target of 3 million USDA users and $12 million in revenue within the next year. Geographic operations span Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, and Brunei.

Name

Laos National Digital Technology Group

Legal name

Lao National Digital Technology Group

Website

https://ladt.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Laos National Digital Technology Group (LADT) is a Laos government-backed entity operating the USDA stablecoin and the NewPay mobile payment platform. It serves ASEAN residents, merchants, and investors with cross-border digital currency, DeFi lending, and payments infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Stablecoin and Digital Payments

NAICS

Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320)

SIC

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Stablecoin Issuers (Fiat-Backed) (FSADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms (BPAMAFAL), Reserve Management, Custody & Segregated Accounts (Backing Infrastructure) (FSADADAD), Stablecoins & On-Chain Money (fiat-backed, crypto-backed, algorithmic; issuance/redemption) (FSAPAEAB)

Keywords

• Digital stablecoin
• Mobile payments
• Decentralized lending
• ASEAN cross-border payments
• Blockchain infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Vientiane

HQ country

Laos

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. NewPay Transaction Fees: NewPay, LADT's subsidiary and Laos' leading mobile payment platform, generates monthly payment volume exceeding $17M USD. Revenue flows from transaction fees on payments, QR code purchases, utility bill payments, and other digital services.
2. USDA Minting and Redemption: Fees associated with minting (converting fiat to USDA) and burning (converting USDA back to fiat). Minimum minting amount is 100,000 USDA. The minting process involves system audit and escrow bank coordination.
3. Mek Finance Lending Interest: Revenue generated from lending protocol when users deposit USDA to Mek Finance platform for others to borrow. Stakers earn APY 4%-8% while the protocol generates yield from interest rate spreads.
4. MEK Token Economics: MEK serves as governance token for Mek Finance. Treasury conducts MEK buybacks from transaction fees and RWA profits, creating deflation and increasing token value.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

LADT issues and operates USDA, the first ASEAN USD-pegged digital stablecoin, fully backed by US dollar reserves, US treasuries, and cash equivalents. The company runs an integrated ecosystem that combines the NewPay mobile payment platform, Mek Finance decentralized lending protocol, and LADT accounts that enable minting/redemption of USDA across ASEAN fiat currencies.

Product overview

Laos National Digital Technology Group (LADT) operates as a multi-platform digital currency and financial services ecosystem. The core offering centers on USDA (ASEAN USD), the first-ever ASEAN digital stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, which can be minted and redeemed through the LADT Account platform. This stablecoin infrastructure connects to Mek Finance, a decentralized lending protocol that enables users to earn yields by depositing USDA or using crypto assets as collateral. The ecosystem is anchored by NewPay, Laos' leading mobile payment platform serving over 1 million users and 100,000 merchants. Additional ecosystem products include LaoLife and LaoBud. The portfolio integrates Web2 payment services with Web3 DeFi capabilities through a hybrid model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• USDA (ASEAN USD): First-ever ASEAN digital stablecoin, a USD-pegged stablecoin backed by secure fiat assets including US dollar deposits, US treasuries, and cash equivalents, maintaining 1:1 value peg to US dollar.
• NewPay
• Mek Finance
• LaoLife
• LaoBud

Products and services

• USDA (ASEAN USD) Stablecoin The first ASEAN digital stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, backed by US dollar deposits, US treasuries, and cash equivalents. Mintable directly with US dollars and ASEAN fiat currencies including SGD, MYR, THB, PHP, IDR, and LAK, enabling cross-border transactions across the ASEAN region.
• MEK Token Governance token for Mek Finance decentralized lending protocol, named after the Mekong River. Holders stake MEK alongside USDA (30% MEK / 70% USDA ratio) to earn yields and participate in LADT ecosystem governance votes.
• NewPay Laos' leading third-party mobile digital payment platform and national payment tool established in March 2020. Provides over 30 lifestyle services including government services, QR code purchasing, transportation tickets, and utility bill payments to over 1 million consumers and 100,000 merchants, with $50M monthly transaction volume and 25% domestic market share.
• Mek Finance EVM-compatible decentralized lending protocol that enables users to supply crypto assets (BTC, ETH, select cryptocurrencies) as collateral to borrow ASEAN USD, or earn interest by supplying ASEAN USD to the protocol. Stakers earn APY 4%-8%.
• LADT Account User account system enabling businesses and individuals to mint USDA by converting US dollars and ASEAN fiat currencies, redeem USDA back to fiat, and access the broader LADT ecosystem including the Mek Finance lending platform. Requires KYC verification including personal information, address details, and two-factor authentication.

Quantifiable outcome

• Q4 2025 transaction volume exceeded $180 million USD
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AWARPcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026AWARP is a sovereign-grade financial infrastructure project and LADT serves as its key national-level implementation entity in Laos and the ASEAN region. LADT focuses on tokenizing assets such as minerals, variable renewable energy, and AI data centers (AIDC), while strengthening on-chain settlement systems and liquidity networks for real-world asset convergence.
• Menas Capital LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Partnership between Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications and Menas Capital LLC aims to link Laos to a wider regional digital and AI network through the planned ASEAN Digital and AI Hub. Initiative to improve digital public services and allow local businesses to connect with regional technology markets.
• Lao National Holding GroupcoreOthersGovernment entity that spearheaded LADT establishment alongside Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Science, Technology and Communications. Provides governmental backing and oversight for the digital transformation initiative.
• Lao Ministry of FinancecoreOthersGovernment ministry that co-initiated LADT, providing regulatory guidance and support for the national digital transformation project.
• Lao Ministry of Science, Technology and CommunicationscoreOthersGovernment ministry that co-initiated LADT, providing oversight and guidance for technology development and digital infrastructure.
• Bank of LaoscoreOthersCentral bank that provides guidance for LADT operations under the guidance of the Central Bank and Ministry of Industry and Trade. Granted exclusive rights for stablecoin issuance to LADT.
• Lao NewPay United Technology Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company of NewPay, Laos' leading third-party payment platform established in March 2020. NewPay serves as the carrier for USDA with over 1 million consumers and 100,000+ merchants.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Paxos: Paxos issues regulated USD stablecoins (including PayPal's PYUSD) with NYDFS oversight and audited reserves. Comparable to LADT's regulator-aligned, audit-driven stablecoin issuance model.
• Tether (USDT): Tether is the dominant USD-pegged fiat-backed stablecoin with massive global liquidity and broad exchange/marketplace integration. USDA competes in the same fiat-backed stablecoin category and must carve out niche positioning versus USDT's network effects.
• Circle (USDC): Circle issues USDC, a regulated, fully reserved USD stablecoin with deep DeFi and institutional integration. USDC represents the compliance-first fiat-backed stablecoin archetype that USDA mirrors with its audited reserves and government backing.
• StraitsX (by FOMO Pay): StraitsX issues XUSD and XSGD, SGD-pegged stablecoins with MAS regulatory backing and payments integration across Southeast Asia. As an ASEAN-based, regulator-aligned stablecoin issuer, StraitsX is the closest geographic and regulatory peer to USDA.
• TrueUSD (TUSD): TrueUSD is a USD-pegged, fiat-collateralized stablecoin with real-time attestations of reserves. Comparable to USDA as a fiat-backed stablecoin targeting compliance and reserve transparency.
• First Digital Labs (FDUSD): FDUSD is a Hong Kong-issued, fully reserved USD stablecoin distributed primarily through Binance. Comparable to USDA as a fiat-backed stablecoin targeting exchange-driven distribution and CEX IEO listings.

Emerging players

• MakerDAO (DAI): MakerDAO issues DAI, a crypto-collateralized decentralized stablecoin. While collateral model differs from USDA's fiat reserves, MakerDAO's role as the leading DeFi-native stablecoin mirrors what Mek Finance is attempting to build around USDA.
• Ondo Finance: Ondo Finance is a leading institutional RWA tokenization platform offering yield-bearing USD products (e.g., USDY). Comparable to LADT/AWARP's RWA tokenization mandate (minerals, renewable energy, AI data centers) and its yield-bearing USDA via Mek Finance.

Broad incumbents

• Grab Financial Group: Grab operates Southeast Asia's largest super-app with payments, financial services, and a Singapore-licensed digital bank. Comparable to LADT/NewPay as a regional mobile payments and digital financial services platform, though at substantially greater scale and breadth.

Regional players

• GCash (Mynt / Globe Fintech Innovations): GCash is the Philippines' leading mobile wallet with 90M+ users and extensive merchant network. Comparable to NewPay as a dominant single-country mobile payment platform that could integrate with USDA for cross-border flows.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LADT_co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Laos National Digital Technology Group