Accessible savings, Bitcoin-backed borrowing, and DeFi tools designed for everyday users. Tropykus is changing how people interact with finance across Latin America, powered by Rootstock.
In a world where traditional banking excludes millions, Tropykus is building a new path, one that’s open, fair, and designed for people who’ve been left behind. By combining the power of Bitcoin with the flexibility of DeFi, Tropykus is offering users in emerging markets a radically accessible alternative: stablecoin savings, bitcoin-backed loans, and decentralized financial tools, all on the Rootstock blockchain.
“We didn’t want to just replicate DeFi. We wanted to adapt it to the needs of real people, people who are saving both $50 at a time, and $5,000,”
— Mauricio Tovar, Co-Founder of Tropykus
From the start, the team’s mission has been clear: empower individuals and communities to take control of their financial futures without needing permission from banks or governments.
Mauricio Tovar is no stranger to the blockchain world. As a long-time educator, entrepreneur, and policy advocate in Latin America, his entry into Web3 came from a belief that technology should serve people, not the other way around.
Alongside his co-founders, Mauricio launched Tropykus to meet a clear need: in places where inflation runs high and access to savings tools is limited, people deserve safe, transparent, and usable alternatives. That vision became Tropykus, a platform deeply aligned with the values of decentralization, simplicity, and financial inclusion.
Tropykus is a DeFi protocol that provides savings, bitcoin backed loans, and access to digital dollars, without relying on traditional finance. Key features include:
Users can deposit stablecoins like USDRIF or DOC and earn interest, helping them escape the volatility of local currencies.
By using rBTC as collateral, users can borrow stablecoins without needing to sell their Bitcoin, a lifeline in volatile markets.
Tropykus is built for mobile-first users, with a Spanish-first interface, low gas fees, and accessible design tailored to new crypto users.
From Argentina to Venezuela to Colombia, Tropykus is actively being used by communities where traditional banking is unreliable or inaccessible.
“DeFi should be useful for everyone, not just the crypto-native elite. That’s why we built it with local users in mind, low minimums, Spanish language support, and practical tools.”
— Mauricio Tovar
Tropykus has been live on Rootstock mainnet for over three years. And that’s no coincidence. Rootstock was chosen because it aligned with Tropykus on multiple fronts:
Rootstock is secured by Bitcoin’s proof-of-work, offering unmatched security for financial applications.
Tropykus can leverage familiar DeFi tools and smart contract standards from Ethereum, while staying in the Bitcoin ecosystem.
In regions where every cent counts, Rootstock’s low gas fees make the platform usable and sustainable.
Both Rootstock and Tropykus share a commitment to decentralization, real-world use cases, and unlocking Bitcoin’s full potential.
“Rootstock wasn’t just a technical decision, it was a values decision. We wanted to build where the mission matched our own.”
— Mauricio Tovar
Tropykus is one of the early contributors to RootstockCollective, joining through the Collective Rewards program and playing an active role in community discussions and ecosystem growth.
Through the DAO, Tropykus has:
This kind of builder-to-community collaboration is exactly what the DAO was designed to enable, and Tropykus continues to be a shining example.
Beyond building a product, Tropykus is helping educate and onboard the next wave of users:
“We’re not just building tech. We’re building trust. That starts with helping people understand what these tools are, and how they can be used safely.”
— Mauricio Tovar
Tropykus is focused on deepening its impact and expanding access. The roadmap includes:
With a user-first approach and a strong foundation on Rootstock, Tropykus is poised to scale its mission even further.
Tropykus shows what happens when DeFi meets the real world, and when Bitcoin is used not just as a store of value, but as a platform for financial inclusion and empowerment.
By building on Rootstock and engaging with the RootstockCollective, Tropykus proves that DeFi can be:
For every builder looking to create a meaningful impact, Tropykus is a blueprint.