Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about CaribSend.
General
What is CaribSend?▼
CaribSend is a remittance platform that enables fast, low-cost money transfers from the US to the Caribbean (Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Barbados). We use USDC stablecoin for instant settlement and local merchants for the "last mile" disbursement.
How is CaribSend different from Western Union or MoneyGram?▼
We use blockchain technology (USDC on Base) for instant settlement, eliminating the slow correspondent banking system. Our fees are 3.5% compared to 8-12% at traditional services. Transfers complete in under 5 minutes instead of 1-3 days.
Is CaribSend safe?▼
Yes. All senders complete KYC verification. Merchants are verified businesses (KYB). USDC is issued by Circle, a regulated company with audited reserves. All transactions are recorded on the blockchain for transparency.
Sending Money
What countries can I send money to?▼
Currently: Jamaica 🇯🇲, Trinidad & Tobago 🇹🇹, Guyana 🇬🇾, and Barbados 🇧🇧. We're expanding to more Caribbean nations soon.
What payment methods do you accept?▼
We accept Zelle and CashApp. Both are free, instant P2P payment methods widely used in the US.
How much can I send?▼
Minimum: $20 USD. Maximum: $2,500 USD per transaction, up to $10,000 per month for verified users. Higher limits available upon request.
What are the fees?▼
We charge a flat 3.5% fee on the transfer amount. This includes everything — no hidden exchange rate markups.
How long does a transfer take?▼
Most transfers complete in under 5 minutes. In rare cases (low merchant availability), it may take up to 30 minutes.
Recipients
How does my recipient get the money?▼
Recipients can choose: Cash pickup (collect from merchant), Mobile money (to their mobile wallet), or Bank transfer (to their local bank account).
Does my recipient need an account?▼
No. Recipients don't need a CaribSend account. They just need valid ID for cash pickup, or their mobile/bank details for electronic payouts.
What ID does my recipient need?▼
Any government-issued photo ID: passport, driver's license, or national ID card.
For Merchants
What is a CaribSend merchant?▼
Merchants are local businesses in the Caribbean who disburse cash/mobile money to recipients. They receive USDC to their wallet and earn 2% commission on each transaction.
How do I become a merchant?▼
Apply at caribsend.com/apply-merchant. You'll need: registered business, government ID, USDC wallet on Base network, and initial local currency liquidity ($500+ recommended).
What is USDC?▼
USDC (USD Coin) is a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US Dollar. It's issued by Circle and fully backed by USD reserves. 1 USDC = $1.00 always.
How do I cash out my USDC?▼
You can: sell on exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken), use Circle's direct redemption (where available), or sell peer-to-peer locally.