Gluwa
Gluwa is a blockchain infrastructure company building the Creditcoin Layer 1 blockchain, a consumer wallet (Gluwa Wallet), CBDC credit-reputation tooling (Credal), and a satellite internet initiative (Spacecoin), serving developers, migrants/remittance users, and government partners — most prominently the Central Bank of Nigeria for eNaira adoption.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Gluwa does
Gluwa, Inc. is a Delaware-incorporated, U.S.-headquartered (San Francisco) blockchain infrastructure company that operates a multi-product platform spanning wallets, a Layer 1 blockchain, CBDC tooling, and a satellite internet initiative. Its core technology stack centers on Creditcoin, a purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain with a native credit reputation system that has processed millions of loan transactions, built on a multi-chain architecture spanning Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Luniverse networks. Supporting products include the Gluwa Wallet (mobile/web, iOS and Android, supporting Gluwacoin and Bitcoin with QR-code merchant payments), Gluwacoin as the native token, Credal (credit reputation technology layered onto CBDC transactions), Penguinbase (a developer/user community platform for Creditcoin builders), Spacecoin (a decentralized satellite internet network targeting the 2.6 billion unconnected people), and an Investor DAO Platform for eligible users.
The company monetizes through variable transaction fees on wallet transfers and merchant QR-code payments (priced in Gluwacoin and pegged to Ethereum gas costs), plus API services for developers and businesses building on Creditcoin and Gluwa infrastructure. Its go-to-market is hybrid: an API-first infrastructure motion targeting developers and enterprises, combined with community-led growth via the Nigerian youth blockchain/AI training initiative (over 1,250 trained, 50 internships, in partnership with VP Shettima's office and Jigawa State Government). Named institutional relationships are concentrated in Nigeria's public sector, most notably a partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria to drive eNaira CBDC adoption through Credal. Distribution runs through the iOS App Store, Google Play, the gluwa.com website, and API/OEM integration.
Gluwa firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gluwa
- Legal name
- Gluwa, Inc.
- Website
- https://gluwa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Gluwa is a blockchain infrastructure company building the Creditcoin Layer 1 blockchain, a consumer wallet (Gluwa Wallet), CBDC credit-reputation tooling (Credal), and a satellite internet initiative (Spacecoin), serving developers, migrants/remittance users, and government partners — most prominently the Central Bank of Nigeria for eNaira adoption.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gluwa industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Blockchain Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Other Activities Related to Credit Intermediation (522390)
- SIC
- Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Enterprise Payments & Tokenized Money (stablecoins, tokenized deposits, CBDC rails) (FSAPAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Crypto Remittance & Cross-Border Money Transfer Providers (FSADAIAD), Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms (BPAMAFAL), Crypto Payment Gateways & Checkout APIs (FSADAIAA), Compliance, Risk & RegTech for Tokenized Assets (KYC/AML, sanctions, travel rule, reporting) (FSAPAIAH)
Keywords
Where Gluwa is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Gluwa business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Transfer Fees: Transfer fees charged on all transfers through the Gluwa Wallet, payable in the respective blockchain asset (Gluwacoin or Bitcoin). Gluwacoin transfer fees are dependent on Ethereum gas prices at transaction time.
- Payment Fees: Payment fees charged to merchants when Registered Users make payments via QR code scanning. Payable in Gluwacoin, with final fee dependent on Ethereum gas prices.
- API Services: API access provided to developers and businesses for building on Gluwa infrastructure including Creditcoin blockchain and wallet services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Variable transaction-based fees based on blockchain network |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Two-factor authentication optional but recommended |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Gluwa product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gluwa operates blockchain infrastructure for cross-border finance and CBDC adoption, anchored by its purpose-built Creditcoin Layer 1 blockchain with a native credit reputation system. It provides a Gluwa Wallet (mobile/web) supporting Gluwacoin and Bitcoin transfers with QR-code merchant payments, an API platform for developers and businesses to integrate wallet and additional services, and the Credal technology that builds credit reputation through CBDC transactions in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria. Adjacent initiatives include the Spacecoin decentralized satellite internet network and the Penguinbase user community for Creditcoin builders.
Product overview
Gluwa is a blockchain infrastructure company offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services. The core offerings include Creditcoin, a Layer 1 blockchain purpose-built for financial use cases with native credit reputation capabilities; Gluwa Wallet, a digital wallet supporting Gluwacoin and Bitcoin transfers; and Spacecoin, a decentralized satellite internet network. Supporting products include Penguinbase (user community platform for dApp builders), Credal (CBDC credit reputation technology), and Gluwacoin as the native token. The ecosystem also includes the Investor DAO Platform for investment opportunities. Gluwa partners with the Central Bank of Nigeria on eNaira adoption and has training programs for Nigerian youth in blockchain and AI.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Creditcoin: A Layer 1 blockchain purpose-built for financial use cases with native credit reputation system, handling millions of loan transactions.
- Spacecoin
- Penguinbase
- Gluwa Wallet
- Credal
Products and services
- Creditcoin A Layer 1 blockchain purpose-built for financial use cases with a native credit reputation system and proven scalability handling millions of loan transactions. Provides developers with infrastructure to build complex, multi-chain, decentralized applications with access to an active user community via Penguinbase.
- Spacecoin A decentralized satellite internet network initiative designed to bring reliable, affordable connectivity to the world's unconnected populations, with the CTC-1 Satellite as its initial hardware project targeting 2.6 billion people lacking internet access.
- Gluwa Wallet A mobile and web digital wallet application that allows users to execute orders directly on blockchain networks, supporting transfers of Gluwacoin and Bitcoin, plus QR-code merchant payment capabilities. Available on iOS and Android.
- Gluwacoin The native digital asset/token of the Gluwa ecosystem, used for transfers and merchant payments within the Gluwa Wallet; transaction fees on Gluwacoin transfers and merchant QR-code payments are paid in Gluwacoin and are variable to Ethereum gas prices at transaction time.
- Penguinbase A platform that provides a growing and active user community, giving builders on Creditcoin direct access to end users for decentralized applications they launch.
- Credal Technology enabling users to build credit reputation through CBDC transactions, creating tangible value and incentive for the adoption of central bank digital currencies such as Nigeria's eNaira.
- Investor DAO Platform An online platform accessible through Gluwa's Apps that permits eligible users to participate in potential investment opportunities with other users, subject to specific eligibility requirements.
- Gluwa API Developer API platform exposing Gluwa's Wallet Services, Browsing Services, and Additional Features to registered users and businesses that acquire API keys; documentation available at https://docs.gluwa.com.
- Blockchain-Based Cross-Border Payment Solutions (Stablecoin Transfers) Blockchain-based cross-border payment solutions leveraging stablecoin transfers, designed to lower costs, increase transparency, and improve financial access for migrants and small businesses.
Quantifiable outcome
- Significantly lower costs and increased transparency for cross-border payments compared to traditional SWIFT and remittance services
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Gluwa
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Gluwa technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
Gluwa partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima's OfficeflagshipAI Expertise Blockchain and Technology Training partnership between VP Shettima's office and Gluwa. Vice President stated 'We are not merely catching up with the rest of the world; we are poised to overtake them.' Initiative offers beneficiaries chance to become part of global workforce driving innovation.
- Jigawa State GovernmentcorePartnership to deliver comprehensive blockchain and AI training programs. Over 1,250 youth gained marketable skills through hands-on sessions, with 50 securing internships and others landing paid jobs before training ended.
- Central Bank of NigeriacorePartnership to drive eNaira adoption through Gluwa's Credal technology, enabling users to build credit reputation through CBDC transactions, creating tangible value and incentive for adoption.
- CreditcoincoreLayer 1 blockchain purpose-built for financial use cases. Part of Gluwa ecosystem, provides developers with infrastructure to build complex multi-chain decentralized applications with credit reputation system.
- SpacecoincoreInitiative to build decentralized satellite internet network bringing reliable affordable connectivity to world's unconnected populations (2.6 billion people). CTC-1 Satellite project.
- PenguinbaseminorPlatform providing growing and active user community that builders on Creditcoin have direct access to.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Gluwa competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ripple: Enterprise blockchain infrastructure for cross-border payments and stablecoin settlement. Directly comparable to Gluwa's stablecoin transfer and remittance use case, though at much greater scale and with established banking partnerships.
- Stellar Development Foundation: Stellar is a Layer 1 blockchain purpose-built for payments and asset tokenization, including cross-border remittances and CBDC pilot integrations. Highly comparable to Creditcoin's niche-L1 positioning.
- Circle: Issuer of USDC stablecoin with APIs for payments, remittances, and merchant settlement. Comparable to Gluwa's stablecoin transfer and wallet infrastructure on the enterprise API side.
- Bitnob: Africa-focused crypto payments and remittance platform serving Nigerian and pan-African corridors. Closest geographic and use-case peer to Gluwa's migrant remittance and CBDC positioning.
Regional players
- Yellow Card: Pan-African crypto exchange and on/off-ramp. Operates in the same Nigeria-focused crypto payments and remittance space as Gluwa but primarily as a brokerage/exchange rather than blockchain infrastructure.
- Flutterwave: Africa-leading payments infrastructure for merchants and cross-border flows. Comparable to Gluwa's merchant QR-code and payment-API products but operates in fiat rather than blockchain rails.
Broad incumbents
- Polygon Labs: Major Layer 1/L2 blockchain infrastructure with broad developer adoption. Competes with Creditcoin for developer mindshare in building financial dApps at scale.
- Coinbase: Public crypto exchange and wallet provider with developer APIs and institutional custody. Comparable to Gluwa's wallet and API infrastructure but at vastly greater scale and regulatory depth.
- Algorand Foundation: Layer 1 blockchain with native tokenization and CBDC pilots (e.g., Marshall Islands, Fiji). Comparable niche-L1 + CBDC strategy to Creditcoin's positioning with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Emerging players
- Airtm: Digital wallet and remittance platform serving Latin American and emerging-market users. Comparable to Gluwa Wallet's cross-border remittance and underbanked-user use case, though regionally focused.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Gluwa social profiles
Digital presenceGluwa financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gluwa leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Gluwa funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gluwa M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gluwa
What does Gluwa do?
Gluwa operates blockchain infrastructure for cross-border finance and CBDC adoption, anchored by its purpose-built Creditcoin Layer 1 blockchain with a native credit reputation system. It provides a Gluwa Wallet (mobile/web) supporting Gluwacoin and Bitcoin transfers with QR-code merchant payments, an API platform for developers and businesses to integrate wallet and additional services, and the Credal technology that builds credit reputation through CBDC transactions in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria. Adjacent initiatives include the Spacecoin decentralized satellite internet network and the Penguinbase user community for Creditcoin builders.
Is Gluwa a public or private company?
Gluwa is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Gluwa founded?
Gluwa was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Gluwa based?
Gluwa is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Gluwa make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Transfer Fees are the primary driver. The others are payment Fees and API Services.
Who are Gluwa's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ripple, Stellar Development Foundation, Circle and Bitnob. Regional players are Yellow Card and Flutterwave. Broad incumbents are Polygon Labs, Coinbase and Algorand Foundation. Airtm is listed as an emerging player.
Does Gluwa have an API?
Yes. Gluwa offers API services accessible to registered users who sign up for an Account. Users may acquire API keys to access Gluwa's Apps, including Wallet Services, Browsing Services, and Additional Features. The API enables developers to build on Gluwa's infrastructure and integrate with their blockchain-based financial services. Documentation is available at https://docs.gluwa.com. Developer documentation is at docs.gluwa.com.
What industry is Gluwa in?
Gluwa's product category is Blockchain Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAPAIAJ, Enterprise Payments & Tokenized Money (stablecoins, tokenized deposits, CBDC rails), with a secondary code of FSADAIAD, Crypto Remittance & Cross-Border Money Transfer Providers. Its NAICS code is 522390 and its SIC code is 6200.