# Sendwave

> Source: https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/sendwave
> research date 2026-06-01 · extracted at 2026-10-03
> Publisher: Barcoder — encyclopedia of QR, barcode and payment-code standards

Specifications:
- [Sendwave — official](https://www.sendwave.com/)

## Overview

**Sendwave** is a **mobile-first, low/zero-fee remittance app** specializing in fast transfers from the diaspora to **Africa and Asia**, now operated by **[Zepz](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/zepz) Group** <sup>[1][1], [2][2]</sup>. Founded in **2014** (originally as Sendwave/Wave, distinct from the West-African mobile-money company [Wave Mobile Money (West Africa)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/wave-money-africa)), it built a reputation for near-instant, app-only transfers into mobile-money wallets. WorldRemit acquired Sendwave in **2020** for ~$500M, and it now operates as a sibling consumer brand to [WorldRemit (Zepz)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/worldremit) under Zepz <sup>[2][2]</sup>.

## History

**2014 — Founded as Sendwave (then "Wave")** <sup>[1][1]</sup> by Drew Durbin and Lincoln Quirk; focused on cheap, instant transfers to Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and beyond.

**2017-2019 — Mobile-money corridor growth** <sup>[1][1]</sup>: Deep integration with M-Pesa, MTN MoMo and other African mobile-money networks.

**2020 — Acquired by WorldRemit (~$500M)** <sup>[2][2]</sup>: Becomes part of the group that rebrands to Zepz in 2021; the West-African mobile-money sibling spins out as Wave (now [Wave Mobile Money (West Africa)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/wave-money-africa)).

**2021-2025 — Operates within Zepz** <sup>[2][2]</sup>: Sendwave retained as a low-fee, mobile-first brand alongside WorldRemit.

## Ownership & operator

**Operating entity**: **Zepz Group** (London) — Sendwave is a consumer brand of Zepz.

**Founders**: Drew Durbin and Lincoln Quirk (who also founded the West-African mobile-money company Wave).

**Regulators**:
- **United States**: FinCEN MSB + state money-transmitter licenses (via Zepz).
- **United Kingdom**: FCA authorisation (via Zepz).
- **Other markets**: per-country financial regulators.

## Technical integration

Sendwave is an **app-only digital remittance** <sup>[1][1]</sup>:

| Layer | Description |
|---|---|
| **Channels** | Sendwave app (iOS + Android) — mobile only |
| **Identifiers** | Recipient phone number (mobile money) + bank account |
| **Funding** | Sender debit/credit card, bank transfer |
| **Payout rails** | Mobile money (M-Pesa, MTN MoMo, Airtel, Orange) + bank deposit |
| **Focus** | Low/zero-fee corridors into Africa and Asia |

## Implementations & partners

**Operator**: **Zepz Group** (sibling brand to [WorldRemit (Zepz)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/worldremit)).

**Payout partners**: M-Pesa (Safaricom), MTN MoMo, Airtel Money, Orange Money and banks across Africa/Asia.

**Competitors**: [TapTap Send](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/taptap-send), [Remitly](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/remitly-app), [WorldRemit (Zepz)](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/worldremit), [Western Union](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/western-union), [MoneyGram](https://docs.barcoder.ai/docs/wallets/moneygram), Wave.

## Status

**Active, low-fee diaspora remittance brand under Zepz** <sup>[1][1], [2][2]</sup>:
- **Zepz Group** (London) — sibling to WorldRemit.
- Mobile-first, low/zero-fee corridors into Africa/Asia.
- Acquired by WorldRemit in 2020 for ~$500M.

## Sources

[1]: https://www.sendwave.com/ "Sendwave — official site"
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WorldRemit "WorldRemit / Zepz / Sendwave acquisition — Wikipedia"

- [1] [Sendwave — official site][1]
- [2] [WorldRemit / Zepz — Wikipedia][2]

## Source

Biography extracted from [sendwave.md](https://docs.barcoder.ai/source/wallets/sendwave). See `matrix.md` for standards-support matrix if present.