Colombia’s fintech sector is experiencing rapid growth, with API integrations serving as the foundation for digital innovation and financial inclusion. According to a 2025 report from Fintech Colombia, 82% of new fintech products launched in the country over the past year used third-party API integrations as a key part of their offerings (Fintech Colombia, 2025).

This transformation is fueled by a regulatory climate that welcomes innovation and by platforms like Mural Pay, which leads with stablecoin payments infrastructure for businesses across the Americas.

As regulatory frameworks adapt and open banking practices expand, APIs are not only powering how fintechs scale and serve customers—they’re also shaping the possibilities for compliance, speed, and user experience.

TL;DR

• Colombia’s fintech ecosystem ranks third in Latin America and is driven by strong open finance policies.

• Regulatory compliance, data security, and legacy bank interoperability remain the biggest API integration hurdles.

• Mural Pay’s stablecoin-powered API offers near-real-time settlement and reduces reconciliation time by over 70% for users.

• Continuous security upgrades are vital as cyber threats and regulatory scrutiny increase.

• Collaboration with banks, regulators, and trusted API partners is key to long-term scalability.

The Colombian Fintech Boom: Market Size, Segments, and Adoption

Colombia has established itself as the third-largest fintech ecosystem in Latin America, trailing only Brazil and Mexico. The country’s fintech landscape is both dynamic and diverse, with payments and remittances accounting for 31% of the market, lending at 19%, and enterprise financial management at 15% (Finnosummit, 2025).

A growing number of Colombian fintech startups—currently 32%—are also expanding regionally, reflecting the sector’s international ambitions.

This momentum is driven by both consumer demand and regulatory support, positioning Colombia as a model for regional innovation. Colombia’s focus on open banking and its inclusion in the National Development Plan further underline the country’s progressive stance toward fintech growth.

The fintech adoption rate stands at 79%, making Colombia a leader in the region and a hub for cross-border and inclusive financial services (API-First Payments in Colombia: What Every Fintech Needs to Know).

Regulatory Foundations: What Every API-Driven Fintech Must Know

Navigating the regulatory environment is crucial for any fintech aiming to succeed in Colombia. The Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (SFC) oversees the sector, focusing on market stability and consumer protection. The DIAN regulates tax and customs, and the regulatory sandbox, introduced in 2020, encourages innovation by allowing fintechs to test new products under supervision (IMF, 2023).

Colombia’s open finance framework, established via Decree 1297 of 2022, empowers banks and fintechs to share data with explicit user consent. The framework is being implemented in phases through 2026, gradually expanding the types of financial data shared and ultimately allowing for full financial portability for Colombian consumers.

Compliance with KYC, AML, and data protection laws is mandatory, and failure to adapt to these standards can quickly derail even the most promising ventures. Specialized entities like SEDPEs, created under local law, have further enabled digital payments and financial inclusion for underserved segments.

As SFC Commissioner Ana María Prieto stated in a 2025 panel, “Colombia’s open finance policy is designed to balance innovation with consumer protection, so fintechs can scale responsibly” (Prieto, 2025).

Real-World API Integration Challenges (and How Colombian Fintechs Solve Them)

It’s a question nearly every fintech founder and CTO faces: What are the most pressing technical and operational barriers to integrating APIs within the Colombian financial ecosystem?

The real answer centers on regulatory compliance, data security, and interoperability with legacy banking systems. Legacy banking infrastructure can create additional technical debt, requiring fintechs to allocate significant resources to integration and maintenance.

As Joan Rodríguez, CTO of Konvex, explained at the Colombia Fintech Summit 2024, “Achieving seamless integration means not only meeting international API standards but also adapting to local compliance and the intricacies of Colombian banking infrastructure” (Rodríguez, 2024).

Many fintechs have overcome these hurdles by prioritizing RESTful APIs with strong encryption, conducting regular security audits, and collaborating closely with established banks to guarantee compatibility.

Industry-wide efforts toward API standardization are underway, aiming to reduce integration complexity over time.

For more best practices, see our Best Practices for Stablecoin-to-Fiat API Integration in Colombia.

Expanding Stablecoin Corridors Between Mexico and Colombia

As more PSPs build cross-border FX corridors between Mexico and Colombia, stablecoins are becoming a neutral settlement layer that sidesteps traditional wire delays. Early adopters report lower spreads and simpler treasury workflows when transactions move directly from USDC or USDT into local MXN or COP rails.

For Colombian fintechs eyeing Mexico’s sizable remittance market, aligning API standards today can shorten future go-to-market timelines and reduce compliance work down the road.

Case Study Snapshot: How Leading Colombian Fintechs Approach API Integration

Colombian fintechs are demonstrating the power of API integrations through measurable business results. Supra, for example, integrated Citi’s cross-border payments API, enabling small and medium businesses to cut transaction times by 60% and remain fully compliant with local regulations (Supra, 2024).

Qash leveraged Portal’s SDK to offer dollar banking and stablecoin accounts, giving users a secure hedge against currency volatility and access to Visa cards accepted worldwide (Qash, 2024).

Super Pagos, for instance, has extended digital financial services to over 32,000 micro-businesses, helping address the needs of Colombia’s significant underbanked population.

Mural Pay’s batch payments feature, used by an Argentinian agency, reduced payout reconciliation time by more than 70%, highlighting the operational efficiency APIs can deliver (Mural Pay Payments).

These case studies show that successful integration is about both technology and partnership—with partnerships between fintechs and traditional banks proving essential for scaling impact and securing regulatory buy-in.

The Mural Pay API: A Model for Stablecoin-Powered Payments in Colombia

Mural Pay stands out for its instant settlement, regulatory compliance, and support for 40+ currencies, making it a blueprint for API-first payments in Colombia and the Americas. The platform’s API enables organizations to complete pay-ins, payouts, and invoicing with verifiable audit trails, while offering on/off-ramps for both digital and fiat currencies.

Notably, Mural Pay’s Opera MiniPay partnership slashed freelancer payment fees by 99% in Africa—demonstrating global scalability and local impact.

For technical teams, the API documentation details a clear three-step process: create an organization, deposit funds, and execute payouts—each built to speed onboarding and support compliance.

With batch payments and instant reconciliation, Mural Pay delivers an experience that’s 99%+ faster than traditional wire transfers (Mural Pay, 2025).

For example, one agency using Mural Pay's batch payouts reduced reconciliation times by more than 70%, streamlining their monthly operations.

Counterpoint: The Risks and Realities of API-First Fintech in Colombia

It’s tempting to believe that API-powered fintechs are immune to the industry’s toughest challenges. But there’s a critical exception: the rise in cyberattacks and regulatory scrutiny.

In 2024, Colombian fintechs reported a 26% increase in attempted cyber incursions, and the SFC issued 17 compliance warnings to digital-first providers (Asobancaria, 2025).

These realities highlight the importance of not just adopting APIs, but investing in continuous security upgrades and compliance monitoring. Because new guidelines and oversight measures continue to emerge, even well-prepared fintechs must stay alert to remain compliant.

For more on compliance, see KYC, AML, and BSA Requirements for Colombian Payment Platforms.

Keywords: Fintech Compliance Colombia

Key Takeaways: Building a Future-Proof Fintech Platform in Colombia

To build a future-proof fintech in Colombia, founders must prioritize compliance, invest in strong API partnerships, and foster collaboration with both banks and regulators.

Key takeaway: Innovate boldly, but always within a framework of security and regulatory clarity.

As open finance expands, adopting best practices in API integration will be the difference between rapid growth and regulatory setbacks, while attracting and retaining skilled technical talent will be just as important for long-term success.

For actionable guidance, see our API-First Payments in Colombia: What Every Fintech Needs to Know.

Keywords: Fintech Colombia, Open Finance Colombia, API Integration Challenges

Interested in taking the next step? Contact the Mural Pay team for sandbox credentials or to discuss how stablecoin rails can accelerate your roadmap in Colombia.

FAQ

What makes API-first payments valuable for fintechs operating in Colombia?

APIs let companies plug into local and international rails faster than custom integrations. This reduces time-to-market while giving teams flexibility to launch new services without rewriting core infrastructure.

How does Mural Pay help with Fintech Compliance Colombia requirements?

Mural Pay provides KYB/KYC checks, audit trails, and role-based permissions out of the box, so finance and compliance teams can meet local reporting standards with less manual work.

Can stablecoins cut FX costs for small and midsize exporters?

Yes. By settling directly in USDC or USDT, exporters can avoid multiple intermediaries, reducing spreads and speeding up access to working capital.

Is Mural Pay suitable for bulk contractor payouts?

Organizations running recurring or high-volume disbursements can batch thousands of transactions in minutes, an approach that has proven effective for agencies focused on **Fintech Colombia** and regional expansion.

References

• Fintech Colombia. (2025). API adoption and innovation in Colombian fintech. https://fintechcolombia.org/reports/2025-api-adoption

• Finnosummit. (2025). Colombia’s fintech ecosystem: Segments and growth. https://www.finnosummit.com/en/radar/colombia-fintech-ecosystem-2025

• Asobancaria. (2025). Annual fintech and cybersecurity report. https://www.asobancaria.com/reports/2025-cybersecurity-fintech

• IMF. (2023). Fintech regulation and innovation in Colombia. https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/063/2023/003/article-A001-en.xml

• Prieto, A. M. (2025, March). Remarks at Open Finance Colombia panel. https://www.sfc.gov.co/news/2025-open-finance-panel