Claribay Capital (formerly known as Istari Ventures), a United States-based venture capital firm focused on blockchain-based payments, announces a strategic investment from Stellar Development Foundation (SDF). This marks a significant milestone in Claribay’s mission to reshape fintech and traditional finance infrastructure via blockchain.
Founded by blockchain and Wall Street veterans Tracy Li and Anthony DeMartino, Claribay has quickly become a center of attention for targeting areas of improvement and development in global finance. The firm’s investments focus on sectors like cross-border payments, on- and off-ramps, DeFi, blockchain payroll, B2B & P2P payments, tax compliance, and real world asset (RWA) tokenization, critical tools for improving financial access across the globe.
“We believe blockchain and stablecoin can solve meaningful financial problems such as reducing fees and settlement time, not in theory, but in practice,” said Li. “In developed markets like the U.S. and across Europe, financial innovation is often seen as a convenience, not a necessity. But in underserved places like Nigeria or Argentina, these solutions are essential.”
The investment from SDF’s Enterprise Fund strengthens Claribay’s ability to support early-stage startups that are building the financial backbone of the future. “Tracy and her team don’t just back companies. They cultivate ecosystems. They see how protocols, people, and capital interlock to commercialize exciting technology,” said Daniel Casanas, Head of Investments at the Stellar Development Foundation. With active teams in Silicon Valley, Boston, and New York, and strong networks in emerging economies, Claribay is uniquely positioned to source, evaluate, and accelerate high-impact opportunities.
More than capital, the investment represents a strategic alignment. Claribay and SDF plan to collaborate on joint investments, as well as grant support for early-stage projects to increase exposure. This strategic cooperation is also expected to open doors to new regions, including Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, where Claribay sees rising demand for decentralized finance and cross-border settlement applications.
The firm’s approach combines deep technical understanding with global financial expertise. Its leadership includes executives from institutional finance and from a top-tier stablecoin company and public crypto exchange. This hybrid background has enabled Claribay to identify solutions that also comply with regulations and integrate with banking systems where necessary. The firm has become a trusted partner and advisor, helping financial institutions enter the blockchain space and grow within it. It also helps blockchain companies find new payment use cases and increase their liquidity and ecosystem growth.
The partnership enhances Claribay’s ability to provide end-to-end support. With the network and global reach of SDF, Claribay will be better positioned to help its portfolio companies scale, test in new geographies, and access the resources needed to mature in the competitive market.
Claribay has remained focused on backing blockchain companies with fundamentals. The firm believes that the next generation of breakout startups will come not from chasing trends, but from solving complex challenges in moving money via blockchain, especially in regions facing currency crises and limited access to financial services.
“We are not interested in short-term cycles,” said Li. “We are here to invest in long-lasting and cycle-resistant solutions. SDF’s investment helps us do that better and faster.”