Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about Fellow’s instant transfer platform and launch strategy.Getting Started
When will Fellow be available?
When will Fellow be available?
Fellow is currently in development with a planned launch in 2025. We’re starting with USDC transfers on Solana, then expanding to full banking integrations and additional platforms based on user demand. Join our waitlist at fellow.money to be notified when we launch.
What will I need to sign up when Fellow launches?
What will I need to sign up when Fellow launches?
You’ll need:
- Valid phone number (initially U.S., expanding to Europe)
- Government-issued ID for identity verification
- At least one existing bank account or financial platform to connect
- For crypto features: compatible wallet or exchange account
Which countries will Fellow support at launch?
Which countries will Fellow support at launch?
We’re launching in the United States first, with rapid expansion planned for digitally active European markets including:
- UK, Netherlands, Germany (Open Banking partnerships)
- Norway (integrating with Vipps)
- Sweden (integrating with Swish)
- Denmark, Finland (Mobile Pay and other local payment systems)
Will Fellow work with my current apps and accounts?
Will Fellow work with my current apps and accounts?
Yes! Fellow is designed to connect your existing financial platforms rather than replace them. At launch, we’ll support:
- Traditional U.S. banks (via Plaid integration)
- Major crypto exchanges and wallets
- Investment platforms like Robinhood
- Popular fintech apps like Venmo, Cash App, PayPal
- European payment systems (Vipps, Swish, etc.) in respective markets
How Fellow Works
Why are Fellow transfers truly "instant" when other services take days?
Why are Fellow transfers truly "instant" when other services take days?
Unlike other services that just start an ACH transfer and call it “instant,” Fellow provides immediate access to your money through our liquidity pool. While your traditional transfer processes in the background (1-3 days), you get the funds instantly from our community of liquidity providers. It’s like having a friend spot you money while your check clears.
How do you plan to connect thousands of financial platforms?
How do you plan to connect thousands of financial platforms?
Fellow uses multiple integration strategies:
- Traditional banks: Plaid integration for 10,000+ U.S. institutions
- **Regional payment platforms: **Highly active and niche regional payment products
- Crypto platforms: Custom APIs and wallet connections via partners like Privy
- Investment platforms: Brokerage account linking via secure protocols
What's different about Fellow vs. trying to move everything to one platform?
What's different about Fellow vs. trying to move everything to one platform?
Most financial companies try to convince you to move all your money to them and abandon your existing relationships. Fellow takes the opposite approach - we connect everything you already use and make it work together seamlessly. This means:
- No need to change your financial habits
- Keep your existing rewards, relationships, and platform preferences
- Lower switching costs and easier adoption
- Universal connectivity instead of vendor lock-in
How does the liquidity provider model work?
How does the liquidity provider model work?
Fellow creates a two-sided marketplace:
- Users pay 40-80 basis points for instant transfers
- Liquidity Providers stake capital to enable instant settlement and earn 30-65% APR
- Short-term credit instruments (2-4 days) power the instant experience
- Risk is socialized across the entire pool rather than individual exposure
Distribution & Go-To-Market
How does Fellow plan to win distribution and compete with established players?
How does Fellow plan to win distribution and compete with established players?
Fellow’s distribution strategy focuses on being the universal connector rather than another walled garden:Consumer App First: Direct-to-consumer mobile banking app that connects everything users already haveStrategic B2B Partnerships: Rather than compete with local payment leaders, we partner with themEmbedded Finance: White-label our router technology for other financial institutions and fintechs
What's your strategy for European expansion?
What's your strategy for European expansion?
Europe’s digital payment landscape is more fragmented but also more regulated (Open Banking). Our approach:Regulatory Advantage: EU Open Banking regulations make account connectivity easier and more standardizedLocal Partnership Strategy:
- Nordic region: Vipps, Swish, MobilePay partnerships
- DACH region: Integration with traditional banks and neo-banks
- UK: Leveraging Open Banking for seamless connectivity
How do you plan to compete with PayPal, Stripe, and other established players?
How do you plan to compete with PayPal, Stripe, and other established players?
Fellow doesn’t directly compete with PayPal or Stripe - we enhance their capabilities:
- PayPal users can instantly move funds to crypto exchanges or investment accounts
- Stripe merchants can offer customers instant settlement to any financial platform
- Traditional processors can embed Fellow’s router for enhanced customer experience
Technology & API Strategy
Will Fellow offer API access for other companies?
Will Fellow offer API access for other companies?
Yes! API access is a core part of our distribution strategy:Early Access Program: Select partners can join our developer program to shape API developmentReach out to us at [email protected]
How will the API partnerships work with payment providers?
How will the API partnerships work with payment providers?
Partnerships focus on enhancing existing providers rather than replacing them:Integration Types:
- White-label router: Payment providers can offer Fellow’s universal connectivity under their brand
- API partnerships: Direct integration allowing their users to access Fellow’s network
- Revenue sharing: Partners earn fees for transactions they facilitate
- Expanded service offerings without infrastructure investment
- New revenue streams from international and crypto connectivity
- Enhanced customer retention through increased utility
What's the technical roadmap for platform integrations?
What's the technical roadmap for platform integrations?
Phase 1 (Launch): USDC transfers on Solana with crypto wallet connectivityPhase 2 (2025):
- Full U.S. banking integration via Plaid
- Major crypto exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.)
- Investment platforms (Robinhood, etc.)
- Local Integrations (Vipps, Swish, etc)
- Open Banking compliance for EU markets
- Local payment method partnerships
- API platform for third-party integrations
- White-label solutions for financial institutions
- Enterprise-grade compliance and reporting
Safety & Security
How will Fellow ensure security across all these integrations?
How will Fellow ensure security across all these integrations?
Fellow uses enterprise-grade security across all platform connections:
- Banking compliance: FDIC insurance through WSFS Bank partnership
- Crypto security: Hardware-secured wallets through Privy’s TEE architecture
- API security: Bank-grade encryption for all platform integrations
- Regulatory compliance: Full KYC/AML compliance in all operating jurisdictions
- European standards: GDPR compliance and Open Banking security requirements
What about regulatory compliance in different countries?
What about regulatory compliance in different countries?
Fellow is building compliance-first for each market:
- United States: Federal banking regulations, state licensing requirements
- European Union: Open Banking compliance, GDPR, PSD2 requirements
- Individual countries: Local payment system regulations (Norway’s payment laws for Vipps integration, etc.)
Competitive Positioning
How is Fellow different from using a multi-platform app like Mint?
How is Fellow different from using a multi-platform app like Mint?
Mint and similar apps only provide read-only account aggregation. Fellow offers:
- Active money movement: Actually transfer funds between platforms instantly
- Universal banking: Full-featured bank account, not just tracking
- Cross-border capability: Instant international transfers via local partnerships
- Liquidity participation: Earn returns by providing liquidity to the network
Why not just use multiple apps directly instead of Fellow?
Why not just use multiple apps directly instead of Fellow?
Managing multiple financial apps separately means:
- Days waiting for transfers between platforms
- Multiple logins, security setups, and interfaces to manage
- No unified view of your financial footprint
- Missing opportunities for optimization across platforms
- High friction for moving money where you need it, especially internationally
How do you compete with banks trying to do everything in-house?
How do you compete with banks trying to do everything in-house?
Traditional banks and “super apps” require you to move all your financial relationships to them. Fellow’s approach:
- Works with your existing preferences: Keep using Vipps, Swish, your local bank
- No switching costs: Connect instantly without changing habits
- Best-of-breed access: Use specialized platforms for their strengths
- Future-proof: New platforms automatically work with your existing setup
What about Wise, Remitly, and other international transfer services?
What about Wise, Remitly, and other international transfer services?
Fellow complements rather than directly competes with traditional remittance services:
- Instant settlement: Immediate access vs. hours/days for traditional services
- Platform integration: Direct connection to recipients’ preferred platforms
- Local partnerships: Working with regional partners means better local experience
- Universal access: Not just international transfers, but complete financial connectivity
Partnership Opportunities
I represent a payment provider - how can we partner with Fellow?
I represent a payment provider - how can we partner with Fellow?
We’re actively seeking partnerships with established payment providers:Partnership Models:
- Integration partnerships: Connect your users to Fellow’s universal network
- White-label solutions: Offer Fellow’s router technology under your brand
- Revenue sharing: Earn fees from transactions you facilitate
- Co-marketing: Joint go-to-market for expanded user benefits
How can fintech companies integrate Fellow's router?
How can fintech companies integrate Fellow's router?
Developer Program: Join our early access program for API developmentIntegration Options:
- Full router access: Enable users to connect any financial platform
- Specific routes: Target integrations for your use case (crypto-to-bank, etc.)
- White-label banking: Embed Fellow’s banking services in your app
- Faster time-to-market for financial connectivity
- No need to build individual platform integrations
- Revenue sharing opportunities
Do you plan to compete directly with platforms you connect to?
Do you plan to compete directly with platforms you connect to?
No - Fellow’s success depends on maintaining neutrality and trust with all financial platforms. We’re infrastructure, not a competitor to banks, exchanges, payment providers, or investment platforms. Our goal is to make the entire ecosystem work better together, which is why partners like Vipps and Swish enhance our value rather than compete with us.
Get Involved
Join the Waitlist
Be the first to access Fellow when we launch in your region
Partnership Inquiries
Contact us about integration partnerships and business opportunities
Developer Program
Join our early access program for API development and integration
Follow Updates
Stay updated on launch progress and partnership announcements
Building the future of financial connectivity? We’re always looking for strategic partners who share our vision of universal financial interoperability. Reach out to discuss how we can work together.