Celo is a mobile-first Layer 1 blockchain designed to make financial tools accessible to anyone with a smartphone. The platform enables users to send cryptocurrency to phone numbers through its identity protocol, removing the need to share complex wallet addresses. Celo uses a Proof of Stake consensus based on Byzantine Fault Tolerance and features a novel address-based encryption scheme. The blockchain natively supports multiple stablecoins including cUSD, cEUR, and cREAL, pegged to USD, Euro, and Brazilian Real respectively, making it practical for everyday payments across different regions. Celo has focused on financial inclusion in emerging markets, with partnerships spanning mobile money operators in Africa and Latin America. The platform is EVM-compatible and has been transitioning toward becoming an Ethereum Layer 2 through the use of OP Stack, while maintaining its mobile-first identity features.
celo.org →