Upsave
Save smarter, Earn better!
The problem Upsave solves
TL;DR:
Self-custodial app on Base for non-crypto users to buy yield-bearing assets and tokenized treasuries.
--
We’ve built a self-custodial app on Base mainnet that lets non-crypto-native users easily buy yield-bearing assets and tokenized treasuries, with a simple, fiat-like experience.
Today, millions of people around the world—especially those in emerging markets or with limited capital—lack access to high-upside financial products like Bitcoin, tokenized assets, or global equities. Traditional investing often requires risking your principal, navigating complex platforms, and paying high fees. Moreover, crypto-native products typically demand technical expertise, upfront capital, and exposure to volatile assets, making them inaccessible or risky for everyday users.
Upsave solves this by flipping the risk model: users deposit stable assets like EUR or USD, and we only invest the interest, not the principal, into higher-yielding opportunities like Bitcoin, digital gold, or tokenized ETFs. This means users get exposure to upside while keeping their principal safe and liquid. Our app abstracts away the complexity of wallets and DeFi—creating one automatically for each user—and will soon offer personal banking details for seamless fiat deposits. By combining user-friendly onboarding with a risk-minimized model, Upsave makes it possible for anyone, anywhere, to grow their wealth—even with just €10.
Challenges I ran into
One of our biggest challenges was designing a product for everyday users with zero knowledge of blockchain. We had to completely abstract away the complexities of crypto—wallets, gas fees, and protocols—without compromising on core blockchain principles like decentralization and self-custody. Achieving this required integrating and orchestrating multiple services under the hood, even though the front-end appears simple and seamless.
Another major hurdle was on-ramping and off-ramping funds. Bringing fiat into a decentralized environment isn't straightforward. We currently use Coinbase Onramp for USD and EUR on Base, and we’re working hard to offer instant SEPA wire transfers via Monerium to give users personal IBANs—something we believe is essential for a smooth fiat experience.
Lastly, building trust in a fintech product means the user experience must be flawless. From the visual design to the feel of the interactions, we obsess over every detail to make sure users feel safe and in control—without ever realizing they’re interacting with blockchain behind the scenes.
Tracks Applied (3)
Stablecoins
Consumer
Showcase
Cheer Project
Cheering for a project means supporting a project you like with as little as 0.0025 ETH. Right now, you can Cheer using ETH on Arbitrum, Optimism and Base.