Ray Youssef

Ray Youssef is the Chief Executive Officer of Noones, a peer-to-peer financial communication app that aims to enhance financial connectivity for the Global South. He was appointed to this role in December 2023, marking a significant milestone for the company, which has quickly gained over 400,000 users since its launch.13

Background and Career

Youssef is a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in the cryptocurrency sector. He co-founded Paxful, a popular bitcoin trading platform, which became a major player in the peer-to-peer market. Under his leadership, Paxful reached $5 billion in total volume traded by 2021 and had approximately 9 million users. However, the company faced challenges, including a lawsuit from co-founder Artur Shaback, leading to its eventual closure in April 2023.12

Following his departure from Paxful, Youssef co-authored CivKit, a project aimed at creating a blueprint for decentralized marketplaces. He is also involved with the Built With Bitcoin Foundation, which focuses on improving financial health in African communities through Bitcoin initiatives.14

Vision and Goals at Noones

At Noones, Youssef emphasizes the importance of financial sovereignty for underserved regions. He believes that Bitcoin can play a pivotal role in enhancing economic opportunities and reducing poverty in the Global South. His vision includes creating an interoperable Pan-African clearing layer to boost intra-African trade significantly.13

Youssef's leadership is characterized by a commitment to financial inclusivity and innovation, aligning with Noones' mission to address inefficiencies in traditional banking systems through peer-to-peer technology. The platform allows users to trade digital assets using various payment methods across 190 countries.13

In summary, Ray Youssef's trajectory reflects a deep commitment to leveraging technology for financial empowerment, particularly within marginalized communities. His role at Noones positions him to continue advocating for transformative changes in the global financial landscape.