At Solana Breakpoint in Abu Dhabi, a conversation with Nick Frostbutter, co founder and CTO of Decal, offered insight into how the company is positioning itself at the intersection of blockchain technology and everyday commerce. Emerging from the Solana ecosystem, Decal is focused on simplifying payment experiences and making decentralized finance practical for real world use.
Frostbutter and his co founder began their collaboration while working at the Solana Foundation, where they were involved in several initiatives, including the launch of the Blinks protocol. During that time, they repeatedly encountered a common issue. Companies building on Solana often ignored guidance on how to properly use the blockchain’s capabilities. That frustration became the catalyst for founding Decal, with the goal of addressing inefficiencies in how crypto payments are implemented.
A central theme of the discussion was the need to move beyond the crypto native audience. Frostbutter emphasized that Decal is designed to reach users outside the traditional crypto bubble, targeting people engaged in everyday transactions. The company’s vision centers on making stablecoins usable in routine commerce, rather than limiting them to niche financial applications.
Decal’s smart payment solution was highlighted as a core innovation. Paying with stablecoins typically requires users to manage token swaps, gas fees, and compatibility issues. Decal removes these obstacles by abstracting the complexity from the user. With its smart payment system, users can tap and pay without needing to know which stablecoin is being used or how fees are handled behind the scenes. The result is a smoother, more familiar payment experience.
Currently, Decal supports the top five USD backed stablecoins on the Solana blockchain. Its routing engine is built to accommodate additional stablecoins as they emerge, allowing for seamless expansion. Frostbutter also outlined the company’s near term roadmap, which includes expanding the Decal mobile app to both Google and Apple app stores.
Beyond mobile payments, Decal is working toward deeper merchant integration. The team is developing point of sale compatibility with established systems such as Square and Clover. This would allow merchants like coffee shops and bookstores to accept stablecoin payments directly, without changing their existing infrastructure.
Decal’s approach reflects a broader push to demonstrate how blockchain technology can function alongside traditional financial systems. By prioritizing user experience and simplicity, the company is positioning stablecoins as a practical payment option rather than a speculative asset.
Frostbutter’s journey from protocol development to product execution underscores how industry experience can translate into meaningful innovation. Decal’s focus on everyday usability highlights the growing demand for crypto solutions that solve real problems.
As finance continues to evolve, efforts like Decal’s align with broader goals around financial inclusion and accessibility. By lowering barriers to digital payments, the company contributes to a more connected global economy and supports the long term adoption of blockchain based financial tools.