Hercle Raises $10 Million – But Why?

Milan-based fintech startup Hercle just secured $10 million in funding led by F-Prime, alongside a massive $50 million credit facility. This isn’t just another funding announcement—Hercle is solving a real problem that costs businesses billions annually. The company uses stablecoin technology to make global money transfers faster and cheaper, and they’ve already processed over $20 billion in transactions since launch.

What Is Hercle and Why Does It Matter?

Hercle is a fintech company founded in 2019 by CEO Gabriele Sabbatini, CFO Arturo Schembri, and CTO Marco Levarato. The company provides institutional-grade infrastructure for cross-border payments using stablecoin technology. Hercle works with payment service providers, money transfer operators, and businesses that need to send large international payments quickly. The name comes from Hercules, the Greek hero who completed twelve impossible labors—fitting for a company tackling multiple challenges in global finance. With 30 employees and over $20 billion in transactions processed, Hercle has proven market demand for faster, cheaper international money transfers.

How Stablecoins Are Revolutionizing Global Payments

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to the U.S. dollar, combining blockchain speed with currency stability. Congress recently passed legislation creating a regulatory framework for stablecoins, opening doors for major financial institutions to expand blockchain offerings. Hercle leverages this technology to bridge traditional banking and blockchain infrastructure. The platform allows institutions to exchange between fiat currencies and stablecoins in real time. Traditional banking networks handle large payments but settle slowly, while crypto platforms settle instantly but lack institutional liquidity. Hercle solves both problems by enabling banks, fintechs, and corporate treasuries to settle high-value cross-border payments at institutional scale within minutes.

The Problem: Why International Money Transfers Still Take Days

Despite instant communication technology, moving money internationally remains painfully slow and expensive. International business payments can take three to five days to settle, locking up capital and creating cash flow problems. Consider a Swiss company buying cacao from Brazil—both countries have instant domestic payment systems, but international transfers involving hundreds of thousands of dollars get stuck in outdated banking infrastructure. Settlement delays trap liquidity, high fees squeeze margins, and compliance requirements create operational burdens. CEO Sabbatini emphasizes that “settlement should be measured in minutes, not days.” Compressing three-day settlement to minutes fundamentally changes global finance economics, allowing businesses to operate with better cash flow.

F-Prime Leads $10M Round Plus $50M Credit Line

Hercle’s funding includes $10 million in equity led by F-Prime, with participation from Fulgur Ventures and Exponential Science, plus a $50 million credit facility. This dual funding structure demonstrates strong investor confidence in both the technology and market opportunity. The credit facility specifically supports global expansion and institutional services. Sachin Patodia from F-Prime explained their investment: “Stablecoin settlement is becoming the foundation of modern financial infrastructure, but institutional-grade liquidity has been the missing piece. Hercle bridges the gap between fiat and stablecoins with a liquidity engine built to institutional standards.” The company generates revenue by charging fees for services, though exact valuation remains undisclosed.

Hercle’s Expansion Plans: South America, Middle East, and Africa

Hercle plans to expand operations across South America, the Middle East, and Africa—regions facing persistent delays and high fees in traditional cross-border transfers. The company will advance its API stack for easier partner integration, expand its institutional product suite, extend regulatory coverage for more jurisdictions, and build partnerships with local banks and fintech firms. These emerging markets represent massive opportunities where institutions struggle with slow settlement times and high costs. The $50 million credit facility provides working capital for these initiatives. Hercle aims to bring institutional-grade settlement capabilities to markets that desperately need modern payment infrastructure, positioning itself at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain innovation.