DeFi startup PlutoPe raises $500K in pre-Seed round

PlutoPe, a fintech startup offering a non-custodial crypto wallet, has raised $500K in a pre-seed funding round led by Manit Gupta.

The fresh funds will be utilized for the next phase of growth, aimed at expanding its global user base, deepening its presence in emerging and under-connected markets, and accelerating the delivery of seamless, user-first crypto financial tools, PlutoPe said in a press release.

Launched in 2022 by Kumar Chetan Tyagi, PlutoPe is a non-custodial crypto neobank designed to give users complete control over their digital assets, with the simplicity of traditional finance and the power of decentralized infrastructure. Built for the global crypto-native community, it offers an all-in-one platform that integrates a secure wallet, multi-chain token swaps, real-time remittances, and a globally accepted debit card.

According to PlutoPe, it aims to empower individuals to access the digital economy by removing barriers like limited infrastructure, low digital literacy, and complex onboarding. Its decentralized, user-first approach promotes direct asset ownership and financial access for those often left out of traditional systems.

PlutoPe unifies wallet, swap, and card infrastructure into a decentralized stack designed for global scale—without dependencies on exchanges or legacy rails. The startup intends to launch new products, including crypto debit cards across MENA, SEA, and LATAM, a merchant app for crypto acceptance, and a one-tap on-ramp for Indian users.

The company plans to focus on building strategic partnerships with stablecoin issuers, Layer-1 blockchain networks, and forward-thinking banking institutions. It claims to have registered 9% month-on-month user growth, 65% active user retention, and over $14.5 million in swaps processed.