Kast, a fintech company built around stablecoins, launched KAST Business on September 1, 2026. It’s a business account that holds dollars, issues cards, and sends cross-border payments, including payouts to contractors. Kast says the service runs around the clock and reaches more than 170 countries, with availability varying by jurisdiction.
A stablecoin account that isn’t a bank
According to Kast’s press release and crypto.news coverage, KAST Business is a stablecoin-native account with a US dollar focus, with fiat virtual accounts supplied by regulated partners. Around it sit local payouts in more than 20 currencies, cards with cashback, variable yield on idle balances, and tools for hiring and paying contractors worldwide. Kast describes itself as “a financial technology company, not a bank.” Regulated services come from “licensed partner institutions,” but the release doesn’t name them or the licenses they hold. Chief executive Raagulan Pathy said in the release that “cross-border commerce has outgrown the systems built to support it, and businesses are paying the price.”
The company also said it wants 1,000 to 5,000 active businesses on the platform by the end of 2026. That’s a goal, not a result. Kast claims more than one million users overall, and in March it closed an $80 million Series A at a reported $600 million valuation, according to crypto.news.
What it pays and what it costs
The headline yield is up to 8% APY on idle balances. It’s variable and not guaranteed, and the Business Wire release itself says “potential yields.” Kast attributes it to short-term US Treasuries and stablecoin yield, with no breakdown published, and hasn’t said what conditions earn the top rate. Card cashback runs up to 3%, depending on tier, transaction type, monthly limit, and location. FX fees run from 0.5% to 1.75%, depending on country, transaction, and card program, so the service isn’t free. Other fees aren’t disclosed in the sources we reviewed, and neither the release nor the article says anything about reserves or insurance.
Every one of these figures comes from Kast or from coverage repeating Kast’s own terms. We found no independent test of speed, cost, or yield. The “up to” rates are ceilings, and the 8% yield and 3% cashback won’t apply to every customer.
Why It Matters to You
If you run a small business that pays contractors or suppliers abroad, KAST Business is a live account that bundles dollar holding, cards, and payouts in local currencies. It’s priced with FX fees rather than free, and you’d need to check whether it’s offered in your country. The yield and cashback are best treated as upper limits, not what you’ll get.
Limits and risks
“170 countries” is where Kast says it operates, and specific countries and payment corridors aren’t listed. Yield on stablecoin balances carries risk: the stablecoin can lose its peg, a partner institution can fail, and balances at a non-bank fintech are generally not covered by bank deposit insurance. The release doesn’t say who holds customer funds. Local rules on crypto and foreign-currency accounts differ by country, and moving money out to local banks adds cost. Businesses should read the account terms and ask for the names of the licensed partners. This is general information, not financial advice.
Quick answers
Is Kast a bank?
No. Kast says it is a fintech company and that regulated services come from licensed partners it doesn’t name in the release.
What does it cost to pay contractors?
Kast reports FX fees of 0.5% to 1.75%, varying by country and transaction. Other fees aren’t disclosed in the sources we reviewed.
Is the 8% yield guaranteed, and is it available everywhere?
No to both. The yield is a variable maximum, and Kast says it reaches 170-plus countries but availability varies by jurisdiction and partner rules.
Sources
- Business Wire: Stablecoin Powered KAST Launches 24/7 Business Platform for Global Companies (accessed Oct 13, 2026)
- crypto.news: Kast Launches Stablecoin Business Accounts (Sep 1, 2026)