THE POWER OF
PREMIUM SIMPLICITY

We're continuing our "Worldview of Stablecoins" season of stableminded with a product I have personally been using, and following for the past year so. It’s also one of the first consumer facing stablecoin products we are diving into.

While everyone's adding complexity to crypto, Raagulan Pathy from Kast shared a perspective that challenges everything we think we know about building in the stablecoin space.

"There's not many big bets you can make in life," Raagulan told Drew. "And there's not many things you can see that are going to be so big and so transformative over one to two decades."

When I think about companies reimagining financial infrastructure, Kast stands out for two reasons:

• their obsession with simplicity

• their commitment to premium experiences.

But don't take my word for it – watch our full conversation with Raagulan to hear how they grew from launch to hundreds of millions in volume in just six months.

Also Available on Spotify:

THANK YOU TO MURAL PAY

Season 2 of stableminded is proudly supported by Mural Pay. Their vision for instant cross-border payments and commitment to transforming how money moves globally makes them the perfect partner for "A Worldview of Stablecoins."

Whether you're a business handling international payroll, managing cross-border settlements, or looking to streamline global payments, Mural Pay's platform makes it seamless.

_{DISCLAIMER: This podcast + newsletter is made in collaboration with Mural Pay and is therefore sponsored. All editorial decisions, opinions, and conclusions expressed are entirely those of our own and remain independent of any external influence.}

BUILDING A PREMIUM ECOSYSTEM

On this episode of stableminded, Raagulan breaks down their unique approach:

• Focus on quality over quantity in user growth

• Premium card offerings with up to 12% rewards

• VIP concierge services for high-value users

• Bringing AMEX-level service to stablecoin banking

What stuck with me most was his explanation of their "WhatsApp methodology." As he put it: "WhatsApp's magic wasn't features – it was making messaging work on everything from a 2G phone to an iPhone." 

Kast is applying this same principle to stablecoin powered banking.

Kast's product suite shows their commitment to quality over quantity:

If you want to try out your own Kast card, use the link below to get 500 KAST Point + 20% off any paid card.

In a move that showcases their commitment to infrastructure, Kast has also launched their own Solana validator powered by KILN. Here's what makes it unique:

• 0% commission

• 100% MEV kickback to stakers

• Up to 3 bonus KAST points per SOL per epoch

• Approximately 21% APY in 2024

• Automatic rewards for Solana cardholders

This isn't just another validator — it's a strategic integration that ties together their card products, rewards program, and infrastructure services.

REVOLUTIONIZING REWARDS
WITH KAST POINTS

What really caught my attention was Kast's approach to rewards. Unlike traditional crypto token launches, they've designed a points program built for sustainable, long-term growth focused on reward people to use their card. Think points program just like your normal credit card:

Key Features:

• 1 point = 1 future token (rewards for spending + referrals)

• Maximum supply of 10 billion tokens

• Community holds majority (60%) of unlocked tokens

• Rewards extend beyond 2030

The program follows five core principles:

1. Clarity in point-to-token conversion

2. Community-first allocation

3. Extended unlock period

4. Early user advantages

5. Long-term alignment incentives

Always do your own research when tokens are involved, read more about the Kast points program at https://www.kast.xyz/airdrop

HANDS-ON WITH KAST

I've been using Kast's X Card for a while now, and it perfectly illustrates what Raagulan means when he says they're "building an AMEX for crypto."

Onboarding & Support:

• Smooth, intuitive signup process

• Responsive Telegram concierge service

• Premium feel from day one

The Card Itself:

• Highest quality metal card I've handled

• Puts other "premium" cards to shame

• Works flawlessly everywhere Visa is accepted

• Even works at ATMs for cash withdrawals

The rewards structure (5-12% in KAST points) is ambitious. While it's too early to know exactly how these points will translate after the TGE airdrop, the potential is exciting. What matters most right now is that the core product works exactly as promised – something rare in crypto.

As Raagulan emphasized in his conversation on stableminded "We're not trying to be everything to everyone. We're building a sustainable company focused on quality over quantity."

Using the product daily, I can feel that philosophy in every interaction.

THE ROAD AHEAD

"We've got a decade or two decades of building ahead of us," Raagulan shared. "It's not like it's all gonna happen next year." This long-term thinking is evident in three major innovations coming in 2025:

1. Stablecoin Wallets for Developers: Making it easy for any app to accept stablecoins without dealing with multiple chains and tokens

2. The Kast Dollar: An on-chain representation of commingled stablecoins, turning complexity into simplicity

3. Consumer Payments Chain: Purpose-built for real-world scenarios like pre-authorization and instant settlement

One quote from our conversation really captures Kast's approach: "You can't sit still as a company because somebody else will take it from underneath you." Their value of "always be paranoid" drives constant innovation while maintaining focus on their core mission: making stablecoins feel as natural as traditional banking.

Want to understand where stablecoin banking is headed? Watch our full conversation with Raagulan. His insights on building sustainable growth in crypto are something every founder and builder needs to hear.

Watch the full episode on YouTube
Listen on Spotify

Follow Kast on X: @KAST_official
Follow Raagulan on X: @raagulanpathy

THE ROAD AHEAD
(for stableminded)

Stay tuned for more content from stableminded. We are starting to record Season 3 now, still have 3 episodes of season 2 to release, getting ready to head to ETH Denver (side event?) + the launch of the biggest stablecoin resource we have put together so far.

If you want to collab with us in any way, just reply to this email.

Until next time, stay stable,

Drew and Zach

PS Missed previous episodes of stableminded? Checkout this list I put together of every episode so far.

DISCLAIMER: *The content of this newsletter is for information purposes only and does constitute financial, investment or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any decisions based on the information discussed in this newsletter This content reflects the authors personal views and has not undergone detailed verification by a research team. While I aim for accuracy, these are thoughtful opinions open to reevaluation. Some citations may be incomplete or absent; I’ll make every effort to provide updates and corrections to the live version as needed.