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How to think about sending money abroad (US → Latin America)

Kaishio is not a bank and doesn’t move your money. Our goal is to help you see the real cost of different providers before you hit “Send”. Below is a quick guide to how international transfers really work, and how to read what providers show you.

1. The real price is not just the fee

Most people look only at the “fee” line, but the most expensive part is often hidden inside the exchange rate (FX). A provider can show a low fee and still be expensive if the FX rate is bad.

  • You pay: USD. Your family receives: local currency (BRL, MXN, COP, etc.).
  • There is a mid-market rate (what banks trade at) and the provider’s rate.
  • The difference between those rates is called the FX spread — that is part of the cost.

2. Why some local / regional players are cheaper

Global brands are convenient and trusted, but they are not always the cheapest for a specific corridor. In many Latin American countries, local fintechs or regional remittance companies can offer better FX and lower overall cost, especially for typical amounts like 200–800 USD.

  • Local providers may connect directly to local banks or wallets and reduce intermediaries.
  • They sometimes focus on a single corridor (for example US → Mexico) and win on price.
  • Downside: some are new or less known, so safety and clarity matter a lot.

3. Speed vs. cost: what “instant” really means

Faster is not always better if it means you lose a lot in FX. Many providers offer a slower “economy” option and a faster “express” option with different spreads. Kaishio lets you choose what you care about most: more money delivered, speed, or a balance of both.

  • Instant or “minutes” transfers often use card rails and can have higher spreads.
  • Bank transfers may take hours or a day but can be cheaper overall.
  • Weekends and holidays can change FX costs and delivery estimates.

4. How to read a provider’s screen without getting lost

Every app phrases things differently, but the core questions are always the same. If you can answer these, you understand the offer:

  • How much do I send in USD? How much does my family receive in local currency?
  • What FX rate are they using? (Compare to the mid-market rate on Google, Wise, etc.)
  • Is the fee separate, or already baked into the rate?
  • How long will it take if everything goes well? What are the limits or extra checks?

5. What Kaishio tries to do differently

We don’t want to be just another list of the usual names. The idea is to act like a research assistant: compare a mix of global brands and strong regional players, show an estimate of how much your family would receive, and be explicit about why a given option is ranked first.

  • We model: fees, FX spread, delivery time and an internal trust score.
  • We plan to gradually add high-quality local providers per country, not just the big five.
  • Affiliate links (when they exist) will not decide the ranking order.

How we pick providers (Phase 2)

Kaishio is not a bank or a money transfer company. We are a research assistant. Our goal is to help you see the real cost of sending money from the US to Latin America, in a way that is honest and understandable.

In Phase 2, we include providers that:

  • are regulated or licensed in the countries where they operate (when required);
  • publish fees and FX rates clearly enough that we can model them for comparison;
  • have a usable digital experience (web or app) for US-based senders;
  • are actually used for US → LatAm corridors (not just generic “international” products).

Why you won’t see every local brand

For each country we mix global players (like Wise / Remitly / Xoom) with a small number of serious local providers. Some local apps don’t publish transparent fees or FX, or they only support domestic payments. Those may still be good for you, but we won’t rank them until we can model them fairly.

Roadmap: more providers, still independent

Over time we plan to add more corridors and more providers. If we ever add affiliate links, they will be labeled. Providers will not be able to pay to rank higher. Rankings will always be based on fees, FX spread, and speed for the amount you enter.

This page is not financial advice

Kaishio is an informational tool. It does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. Always double-check the final numbers on the provider’s own website or app before sending money, and choose the option that best matches your risk tolerance, urgency, and the needs of the person receiving the funds.