Building a Fintech in Colombia: Lessons from Real API Integrations

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Mar 12, 2025

Mar 12, 2025

In 2025, Payment API integration in Colombia is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic imperative for businesses aiming to stay competitive in one of Latin America’s fastest-growing digital markets.

With Colombia’s eCommerce market reaching $22.4 billion and mobile payments projected to grow by 22% annually, local companies face increasing pressure to provide real-time payment experiences that match evolving consumer expectations (dLocal, 2022; PayU Colombia, 2024).

This guide explains what’s changed, why it matters, and how Colombian businesses can use the latest payment API technologies to improve security, compliance, and customer satisfaction. For further context, see our comprehensive step-by-step guide below.

  • Colombia’s open-finance regulations and the upcoming Bre-B fast payment system are reshaping payment expectations.

  • Choosing an API with stablecoin rails unlocks instant, low-cost cross-border settlement and built-in compliance.

  • Successful integration follows a clear flow: KYB onboarding, sandbox testing, secure deployment, and ongoing monitoring.

  • Case studies like Transfiya and Rappi show how API-driven strategies accelerate adoption and revenue growth.

Understanding the Colombian Payment Landscape and Compliance (2025)

To succeed with Colombian payment API providers, businesses must navigate a market shaped by rapid fintech innovation and new regulations. Colombia now has nearly 400 fintech companies—making it the third-largest fintech hub in Latin America and the country with the highest fintech adoption rate in the region (Statista, 2024; a16z, 2024).

This growth is driven by a regulatory environment that supports innovation, especially through the Open Finance Decree 1297 (2022), the introduction of a regulatory sandbox for fintechs, and the upcoming Bre-B fast payment system launching in 2025.

These frameworks set the rules for payment API usage, requiring:

  • Adherence to Law 1581 (2012) on data protection,

  • Implementation of KYC/KYB procedures,

  • Compliance with the Financial Superintendence’s open finance standards,

  • And proper management of VAT and digital service taxes.

A recent fintech analyst summed it up: “Colombia’s regulatory progress is setting the pace for digital financial services adoption across Latin America” (Statista, 2024).

For a deeper look at compliance and best practices, see Colombian Cross-Border Payment Compliance: A Complete Guide.

Choosing the Right Payment API Provider: Local and Global Options

Selecting a provider is a pivotal step, as each brings distinct features, compliance capabilities, and integration options. The most robust solutions—like Mural Pay’s stablecoin-powered API—combine instant cross-border payments, batch capabilities, and compliance-first design to address real business needs.

Provider

Key Features

Compliance & Integration

Notable Differentiators

Mural Pay

Stablecoin payments, batch/recurring, virtual accounts, compliance, real-time reconciliation

Open finance-ready, KYB/KYC, global/local rails

Instant settlement, on/off ramps, 170+ countries

PayU Latam

Multiple payment methods, PSE/Nequi, fraud management

PCI DSS, local compliance

Google Pay integration, broad local reach

dLocal

Cross-border, diverse payment options

AML, KYC, local & global

Specializes in LatAm eCommerce

EBANX

Local payment variety, eWallets, cash

Local regulatory compliance

Strong LatAm focus, Efecty/Baloto support

Wompi

Bancolombia, PSE, cards, cash

Bank-integrated, local standards

User-friendly, bank ecosystem integration

Supporting cash-based methods like Efecty and Baloto remains important for reaching Colombia’s sizable population without traditional banking access (EBANX, 2025).

According to a recent industry report, stablecoin-powered APIs like Mural Pay are gaining traction in Latin America because they deliver instant, low-cost international settlements and reduce traditional wire transfer friction—and mitigate the risk of lost wires (LatAm Fintech Survey, 2024).

For more on API-first strategies, see API-First Payments in Colombia: What Every Fintech Needs to Know.

Stablecoin Payouts: Added Advantages for Finance Teams

Beyond speed, stablecoin payouts Colombia offer finance teams predictable treasury management. Holding funds in USD-pegged assets lets businesses sidestep local currency volatility while still paying partners in pesos when needed.

Pairing a cross-border payment API with on/off-ramp functionality also streamlines reconciliation: incoming stablecoins can be automatically converted to COP or retained in dollars, giving controllers real-time visibility into working capital.

Step-by-Step: How to Integrate a Payment API in Colombia

Integrating a payment API can be straightforward when you follow a proven process. Here’s how Payment API integration Colombia 2025 typically unfolds for businesses:

  1. Register with the Chosen Provider: Complete onboarding, providing regulatory documentation (KYC/KYB) and business credentials.

  2. Review Compliance Requirements: Prepare for data protection (Law 1581), tax reporting, and open finance protocols.

  3. Access API Documentation: Providers like Mural Pay offer developer guides and sandbox environments for initial integration.

  4. Technical Integration: Implement endpoints for all payment flows (including PSE, Nequi, and card transactions), using secure protocols such as HTTPS. Most top providers offer mobile SDKs for rapid integration on e-commerce and app platforms.

  5. Testing and Certification: Conduct end-to-end tests, including reconciliation and security audits, to confirm compatibility with Colombia’s payment rails.

  6. Go Live and Monitor: Launch and actively monitor for compliance, fraud, and operational issues.

Tip: With over 14 million PSE users in Colombia, prioritizing PSE and digital wallet integrations can significantly expand your addressable market (8B World, 2025).

For in-depth guidance, see Best Practices for Stablecoin-to-Fiat API Integration in Colombia.

Real-World Results: Case Studies of API Integration Success in Colombia

API integration isn’t just theory—it produces measurable results for businesses across Colombia.

ACH Colombia’s Transfiya Service:
ACH Colombia used secure API integration and blockchain technology to launch Transfiya, now processing over 3.9 million transfers and supporting 2 million+ accounts. The service enables users to transact instantly without leaving home—an essential feature during the COVID-19 pandemic (Cloud Google, 2024).

Much of Transfiya’s rapid adoption is credited to its mobile-first design and interoperability with multiple financial institutions, simplifying the user experience (Gustavo Vega Villamil, ACH Colombia).

Rappi’s API-Driven Expansion:
Rappi’s open API strategy enabled quick adaptation to country-specific regulations and integration with payment processors, fueling growth across Latin America and supporting millions of users (Anansee.io, 2024).

Super Pagos’ Financial Inclusion Initiative:
Super Pagos’ platforms, built on API integrations, now serve over 30,000 micro-businesses and processed 100 million+ transactions in 2021, increasing customer flow and driving financial inclusion (Entrepreneur, 2022).

These innovations are supported by Colombia’s Payment Systems Forum, which brings together regulators, banks, and fintechs to foster public-private partnership.

For more on how automation transforms payouts, see Automating Bulk Payouts in Colombia With Mural Pay’s API.

See also Building a Fintech in Colombia: Lessons from Real API Integrations.

Key Takeaways and Future Trends for Colombian Payment APIs

Adopting payment API integration in Colombia is more than a technical upgrade—it’s a strategy for future-readiness. Colombia’s voluntary open finance model, growth in digital identity adoption (over 5 million digital IDs processed as of July 2024), and the launch of the Bre-B fast payment system in 2025 signal a new era of interoperability and financial inclusion.

These initiatives are expected to drive access to financial services for Colombia’s underbanked and rural populations.

As digital wallets and open finance frameworks expand, businesses that adapt quickly will be best positioned to serve both local and cross-border customers. For comprehensive international payment strategies, see The Ultimate Guide to International Payments for Colombian Businesses.

Ready to streamline your payment operations? Contact Mural Pay to explore integration support.

FAQ

What makes Colombia’s payment API landscape unique?
Colombia’s blend of Open Finance Decree 1297, a regulatory sandbox, and upcoming Bre-B rails requires providers to balance speed with strict data-protection and KYC rules—differences that don’t always exist in other LATAM markets.

How do **stablecoin payouts** accelerate cross-border settlement?
Stablecoins clear on-chain within minutes, bypassing correspondent banks. Businesses can send USD-pegged funds instantly and convert to COP when needed, cutting both time and FX costs.

Do I need additional licensing for **payment API integration Colombia** if my firm is already regulated abroad?
Most foreign-regulated entities still register with the Financial Superintendence and comply with Law 1581 data-protection and tax-withholding standards, even if no new license is required.

Can I test Mural Pay’s API before going live?
Yes. Mural Pay offers a sandbox with test taps, allowing developers to simulate deposits, payouts, and webhooks before moving to production.

References

  • dLocal. (2022). Colombia Payment Methods & eCommerce Market. https://www.dlocal.com/payment-processors-in-latin-america/colombia-payment-methods-processors-ecommerce-market-dlocal/

  • PayU Colombia. (2024). PayU Facilitates Online Transactions with Google Pay Integration. https://colombia.payu.com/en/news/payu-facilitates-online-transactions-with-google-pay-integration/

  • Statista. (2024). Fintech in Colombia. https://www.statista.com/topics/5375/fintech-in-colombia/

  • 8B World. (2025). Colombia Country Overview. https://www.8b.world/countries/colombia/

  • Cloud Google. (2024). ACH Colombia – Transfiya Case Study. https://cloud.google.com/customers/ach-colombia

  • Anansee.io. (2024). Case Studies: How Businesses in Emerging Markets Are Using APIs to Scale Fast. https://www.anansee.io/blog/case-studies-how-businesses-in-emerging-markets-are-using-apis-to-scale-fast

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Stablecoin Payments Infrastructure for the Americas

A modern platform and API for pay-ins, payouts, invoicing, virtual accounts, and compliance—powered by stablecoins and built for global businesses across the Americas.

Stablecoin Payments Infrastructure for the Americas

A modern platform and API for pay-ins, payouts, invoicing, virtual accounts, and compliance—powered by stablecoins and built for global businesses across the Americas.

Stablecoin Payments Infrastructure for the Americas

A modern platform and API for pay-ins, payouts, invoicing, virtual accounts, and compliance—powered by stablecoins and built for global businesses across the Americas.