Overview
Alzali set out to build a modern, secure digital wallet that people could trust for everyday payments and marketplace transactions. The core goals were instant peer-to-peer transfers, multi-currency balances, and industry-leading security — all wrapped in a simple, delightful UI.
The challenge
The market already had incumbents with massive scale, but many lacked features smaller merchants and regional users needed: cross-border transfers with minimal fees, local payment rails, and optional escrow for marketplace use-cases. Additionally, Alzali needed to ship quickly while meeting strict compliance and security requirements.
Our approach
- Designed a privacy-first authentication flow with passkeys and optional biometric unlock.
- Built modular integrations with card processors and open banking APIs for deposits/withdrawals.
- Implemented an encrypted transaction ledger and end-to-end encryption for sensitive payloads.
- Architected P2P transfers to settle instantly in the UI using optimistic updates and background reconciliation.
- Added an optional escrow mechanism for marketplace flows and dispute resolution.
Features delivered
- Instant P2P transfers with optimistic UI and reliable settlement.
- Multi-currency wallet with automatic FX quotes and low-fee routing.
- Passkey & biometric authentication with device-bound keys.
- Bank and card onboarding with KYC-friendly flows.
- Transaction history with tagging, budgeting, and export options.
- Admin portal for compliance, dispute handling, and reporting.
Outcome
Alzali launched with a pilot cohort of 5,000 users. Key results from the six-month pilot:
- 90% reduction in onboarding friction via passkeys and simplified KYC.
- Average transaction time perceived by users < 2 seconds (UI-level instant updates).
- High NPS (user sentiment) for ease-of-use and security features.
Tech & architecture
- Backend: Microservices with event-driven ledger, PostgreSQL, and Redis for reconciliation.
- Payments: Modular connectors for card networks and open banking APIs; support for local rails.
- Frontend: Accessible, mobile-first app with offline-first patterns and robust error handling.
- Security: End-to-end encryption, HSM-backed key storage, regular third-party audits.
Alzali is an example of building modern financial products that combine delightful UX with rigorous security and compliance.