# About Chain Chain is a blockchain-based technology company on a mission to enable a smarter and more connected economy. We build cryptographic ledgers and cloud infrastructure that underpin transformative finance. ## Chain Overview Chain is a blockchain-based technology company focused on enabling a smarter and more connected economy. Founded in 2014, Chain has raised over $40 million in funding from investors including Khosla Ventures, Pantera Capital, Capital One, Citigroup, Fiserv, Nasdaq, Orange, and Visa. ### Key Events - **2018**: Stellar acquired Chain to form Interstellar, a commercial arm of the Stellar Foundation. - **2020**: Chain was re-acquired to continue its mission of building a more robust global financial system through blockchain technology. ## Trusted by Leading Companies Discover how our innovative blockchain solutions have revolutionized industries such as payments, sports, retail, banking, and more. Explore our diverse case studies to learn how we brought blockchain technologies to market. # Direct Access to Global Banking ### What does “direct access to global banking rails” mean? Direct access means connecting straight to major banking and card networks without layered intermediaries. Chain provides access to our partner network of regulatory licenses and our Chain Direct Infrastructure, allowing enterprises to move funds between stablecoins and fiat through recognized banking rails — enabling faster settlement, lower costs, and simpler reconciliation. ### How is Chain different from a payment processor or crypto exchange? Chain provides infrastructure rather than acting as a transaction intermediary. In use cases, client banks remain at the center of the transaction flow, with no custody of client funds by Chain and settlement occurring directly through the bank. ### How do stablecoins work within traditional global banking systems? Stablecoins function as a settlement layer that enhances speed and availability. Chain enables enterprises to use stablecoins for instant, cross-border value movement while maintaining bank-based minting, redemption, compliance, and fiat payouts. ### How does Chain handle compliance across countries and asset types? Compliance is embedded directly into Chain’s infrastructure with integrated KYC/KYB, AML, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring, providing banks with real-time visibility across payments and crypto operations. ### Who benefits from direct access to global banking through Chain? Direct access is targeted at banks, payment providers, fintechs, and regulated platforms that need to move money globally with speed and reliability. It enables these institutions to access banks' rails while adding real-time settlement and interoperability across fiat and stablecoins.