YC and Coinbase Unleash "Build Onchain" Revolution: Empowering Developers to Transform Financial Tech

YC x Coinbase RFS: Build Onchain Initiative Seeks to Revolutionize Financial Technology In a groundbreaking move, Y Combinator (YC) and Coinbase have launched the "Build Onchain" initiative, aiming to transform the financial technology landscape. The program, announced in 2025, seeks to empower developers worldwide to build a new financial system with code. According to Harj Taggar, co-founder of YC, and Jesse Pollak, former Coinbase executive, the tools for building on-chain have matured significantly over the past decade. "We believe it's time to build onchain," said Taggar. "The infrastructure is finally ready, with low-cost chains, globally adopted stablecoins, easy-to-use wallets, and growing consumer adoption." The initiative marks the beginning of Fintech 3.0, a new era in financial technology that will focus on building a decentralized financial system. This shift comes after two previous eras: Fintech 1.0, which digitized finance in the 1990s with companies like PayPal; and Fintech 2.0, which saw the rise of banking-as-a-service (BaaS) providers like Stripe, Plaid, Brex, and Chime. "The key unlock here is that payments will settle instantly, anywhere in the world, 24/7," explained Pollak. "This is a fundamental shift from traditional financial systems, where transactions often take days or even weeks to process." The Build Onchain initiative has already sparked interest among developers worldwide, with many seeing it as an opportunity to create innovative solutions for global financial inclusion. "YC and Coinbase are providing the necessary tools and resources for builders to create a new financial system," said Rohan Maheshwari, founder of decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, Acala. "This is a game-changer for the industry, and we're excited to be part of it." The current status of the initiative is that YC and Coinbase are actively working with developers to build on-chain solutions. The next developments will focus on providing more resources, tools, and support for builders worldwide. As the financial technology landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the Build Onchain initiative has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about money and finance. With its emphasis on decentralization, instant settlements, and global accessibility, this new era of Fintech 3.0 promises to bring about significant changes for individuals and societies worldwide. Background Y Combinator is a well-known startup accelerator that has backed companies like Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit. Coinbase is a leading cryptocurrency exchange and wallet provider. The Build Onchain initiative marks their joint effort to transform the financial technology landscape. Additional Perspectives Experts predict that the Build Onchain initiative will have far-reaching implications for society, including increased financial inclusion, reduced transaction costs, and enhanced security. "This is not just about building a new financial system; it's about creating a more equitable and accessible one," said Dr. Rachel Kyte, Director of Sustainable Development at the World Bank. "We're excited to see how this initiative will impact communities worldwide." As the Build Onchain initiative continues to gain momentum, one thing is certain: the future of finance has never looked brighter. Sources Harj Taggar, co-founder of YC Jesse Pollak, former Coinbase executive Rohan Maheshwari, founder of Acala Dr. Rachel Kyte, Director of Sustainable Development at the World Bank *Reporting by Ycombinator.*