Leap Financial, a Miami-based fintech startup, has secured $3.5 million in seed funding led by Fuel Venture Capital, with contributions from Ascendo Venture Capital. The company aims to revolutionize cross-border money transfers by enabling both financial and non-financial institutions to engage in seamless remittance services. Utilizing their proprietary X-Border Payments Platform and an AI-powered assistant named Lola, Leap offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional money transmitters, charging under 1% in fees compared to the typical 6-10%. CEO Lionel Carrasco highlighted the company’s mission to empower immigrants and transform outdated remittance practices, stating that the new capital will facilitate the expansion of Leap’s partnerships, particularly with Mastercard, while enhancing their AI capabilities to better serve clients. The startup’s innovative approach not only improves transaction efficiency but also strengthens compliance measures, demonstrating a commitment to creating a more resilient financial ecosystem for users worldwide.