Make Money Beautiful Again With Celo

In this episode, Marek Olszewski, partner at cLabs and president of Velora, breaks down how Celo is building a mobile-first blockchain ecosystem designed to bring crypto to everyone—especially those in underserved regions. He explains how Celo allows users to send payments using phone numbers, pay gas fees in stablecoins, and access DeFi directly from their phones. With features like decentralized phone verification and zk-SNARK-based light clients, Celo is making crypto feel less like complex tech and more like a familiar mobile experience. The goal: create a seamless, global financial system that anyone can use—no matter where they live.

Marek also shares how Celo’s growing DeFi ecosystem is becoming more accessible through programs like “DeFi for the People,” which provides $100 million in incentives for builders and liquidity providers. Projects like Ubeswap, Moola, and Mobius are already driving momentum, and Velora—the native wallet—is helping users onboard faster with intuitive tools like push notifications and smart dApp integrations. For developers ready to jump in, Marek highlights initiatives like Celo Camp, funding from Flori Ventures, and active community channels on Discord and Telegram. Whether you're new to crypto or a seasoned builder, this episode shows how Celo is creating the infrastructure for financial inclusion at scale.