Hapi Reaches 700,000 Users on LatAm Stock Trading Platform, Expands Remote Team

Hapi operates a zero-commission stock and cryptocurrency trading app built specifically for retail investors across Latin America. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in San Francisco, the startup graduated from Y Combinator's W21 batch and has raised $2 million in funding from investors including Y Combinator, Goodwater Capital, AAF Management Ltd., Four Cities Capital, and Unpopular Ventures.

The platform offers retail clients in Latin America access to more than 12,000 U.S. stocks, exchange-traded funds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing users to buy fractional shares starting at $5 without trade commissions. Hapi operates as a U.S.-registered introducing broker under Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) rules, providing Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) coverage for customer assets up to $500,000.

Founder Backgrounds

Hapi was co-founded by Chief Executive Officer Dusko Kelez, Chief Technology Officer Billy Caballero, and Chief Technology Officer Piero Sifuentes.

• Dusko Kelez previously served as chief operating officer at micromobility startup Grin Scooters and ride-hailing company Taximo. He studied economic sciences at Universidad del Pacifico and completed business computer science coursework at Harvard.
• Billy Caballero holds a software engineering degree from the Technological University of Peru and previously worked as a software engineer at Globant, Avantica Technologies, and Tekton Labs.
• Piero Sifuentes earned his software engineering degree from Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas and worked as a senior iOS software engineer at Rappi and Globant, as well as an analyst at BBVA Continental.

Scaled User Base and Regulatory Operations

According to an interview with Mexico Business News, Hapi reached 700,000 registered clients across Latin America, expanding beyond the 500,000 users reported earlier by Contxto. In an earlier report from LatamList, the startup noted it held $40 million in assets under management following a $1.6 million investment round in late 2022 led by Utec Ventures, Unpopular Ventures, Softeq Ventures, and Mural Capital.

Speaking to Mexico Business News, Dusko Kelez noted that traditional U.S. stock purchasing processes in Latin America historically involved manual paper forms, 2% to 3% transaction commissions, and high minimum investment requirements. By establishing a brokerage regulated by FINRA, Hapi designed anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer procedures tailored to accept secure bank transfers from verified providers in Latin America.

Engineering and Growth Roles

To support system architecture and client adoption across Latin America, Hapi is recruiting across engineering, growth, and marketing teams. The core tech stack uses Next.js for web frontends, Node.js and Golang for backend services, and native Swift/SwiftUI applications for mobile devices.

On the mobile product team, the company is hiring an IOS Developer to build mobile tools and systems using Swift and SwiftUI within a Clean Architecture framework. The backend team is seeking a Backend Developer (Golang) to engineer new platform features, write unit and integration tests, and handle decisions surrounding system performance, security, and scalability.

To expand user acquisition across Latin American markets, Hapi is hiring a Senior SEO – Fintech / Inversiones to direct technical SEO audits, conduct intent-based financial keyword research, and execute link-building programs. The marketing team is also adding an Influencer & Partnerships Intern to negotiate terms with content creators, handle podcast sponsorship deals, and co-create educational content.

Open Roles at Hapi

See all open roles at Hapi