tapi Strengthens Its Presence in Mexico by Acquiring Arcus’ Cash and Payment Network, a Mastercard Subsidiary
In a strategic move that highlights the dynamism of the fintech sector in Mexico and Latin America, tapi has announced the acquisition of Arcus’ service payment operations, mobile top-ups, gift cards, as well as deposit and cash withdrawal services. Arcus is a subsidiary of Mastercard. This integration will allow tapi to significantly expand its network of physical points of contact in the country, establishing itself as an important intermediary for banks, fintechs, retailers, and both public and private service companies.
Although the financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, the deal marks a new stage for tapi, a startup founded in 2022 by a group of Argentine entrepreneurs and already operating in key regional markets such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. By acquiring Arcus’ infrastructure, the company aims to boost access and integration between physical and digital channels, enabling businesses to offer faster and more secure payment services through a robust network of commercial partners such as OXXO, Chedraui, 7-Eleven, SYStienda, and Finabien.
The acquisition includes essential functionalities such as recurring bill payments, mobile top-ups, and the sale of gift cards, reinforcing tapi’s commitment to bridging the gap between the digital and traditional economies—a particularly significant issue in Mexico, where a large percentage of the population still relies on cash for their everyday transactions. According to recent data from Banco de México, nearly 80% of daily transactions in the country are still made with cash. Integrative solutions like those offered by tapi can facilitate the transition towards greater banking inclusion and a more formalized financial system.
Following a recent Series A investment round of $22 million led by Kaszek and a previous injection from Andreessen Horowitz, tapi is projecting to surpass $2 billion USD in annual transaction volume throughout 2024. In the words of Kevin Litvin, CBO and co-founder of tapi, the integration of Arcus’ network “will allow us to better connect users with the formal financial system and promote more accessible, secure, and scalable payment experiences throughout the region.”
Meanwhile, Arcus, since being acquired by Mastercard in 2021, has established itself as a key player in processing recurring payments and real-time payment solutions via the SPEI system—technology that will continue to operate under Mastercard’s umbrella. This merging of capabilities helps strengthen Mexico’s fintech infrastructure at a time when the market is increasingly trending toward digitalization, without neglecting the importance of a physical network for many segments of the population.
In the medium term, the strengthening of hybrid solutions is expected to drive greater financial inclusion in Mexico, making it possible for traditionally underserved sectors to access the benefits of the digital economy without sacrificing the practicality of cash. The development of platforms like tapi’s could have a positive impact on reducing cash usage, increasing transaction traceability, and improving efficiency within the national financial ecosystem.
In summary, tapi’s acquisition of the Arcus network represents a significant bet on a more accessible and modern financial model in Mexico, where combining technology with a physical presence remains crucial for furthering financial inclusion and economic dynamism.
To conclude, the integration of Arcus’ services with tapi’s platform not only strengthens the fintech’s position in Mexico and the region but also signals a growing trend toward greater collaboration between traditional players and startups to bridge the divide between the digital and physical economies—a key step in the evolution of Mexico’s financial system.
