Zar, a stablecoin startup focused on empowering retail outlets globally, has secured a $7 million funding round led by prominent venture capitalists like a16z and Dragonfly. This investment signifies growing interest in stablecoins within developing markets as they seek new financial inclusion tools. Zar aims to bring stablecoin solutions to underbanked communities worldwide by working with corner stores to facilitate cash-to-stablecoin transactions. The funding will support the launch of their stablecoin framework, targeting a first market expansion in South Africa. This initial success is evident in 100,000 users on Zar’s waitlist and more than 7,000 retail outlets across 20 countries expressing interest. The project’s potential to expand the existing network for their stablecoin offerings, particularly across Africa and other emerging regions, has prompted investment from major VCs like Andreessen Horowitz and Dragonfly Capital.