River, a US-based technology company founded by Bangladeshi-American entrepreneurs, has acquired Wind, a blockchain-based payments application created by Hussain M Elius, the former CEO of Pathao. 

Elius, who previously led Pathao, one of South Asia's most widely used ride-sharing platforms, has joined River as co-founder and chief technology officer (CTO). His app, Wind, which enabled blockchain-based transactions, will now be integrated into RiverPay, a new platform designed to provide cross-border financial and digital services for freelancers, migrant workers and international travellers.

According to a press release, RiverPay is aimed at addressing long-standing barriers faced by global workers and expatriates, particularly those from Bangladesh. The platform intends to offer alternatives to traditional banking systems by facilitating global payments through stablecoins, allowing lower-cost remittances and providing multi-currency wallets. It will also include eSIM connectivity to support users across various geographies.

The initiative is particularly focused on users in Bangladesh, where options for receiving international payments remain limited due to the absence of services such as PayPal and the high transaction costs associated with conventional remittance channels. RiverPay is licensed in both the European Union and the United Arab Emirates, as per a press release.

Founded by Ruhin Hossain, Mushrath, and Yasser, River has established itself as a telecom solution provider for a globally mobile user base. In its first year, the company reported $10 million in annual revenue and now serves over 130,000 users across more than 30 countries. With the addition of RiverPay, the company is moving toward a broader "super app" model that combines financial technology and communication services in one platform.

"This is a proud moment for Bangladesh," said Ruhin Hossain. "We're not just users of foreign tech—we're building the next wave of global infrastructure. And Bangladesh is at the center of it."

Both River and Wind have been developed by entrepreneurs of Bangladeshi origin, underscoring what the founders describe as a broader mission to build digital infrastructure that serves emerging markets. 

"Bangladeshis are everywhere—but our systems don't support global movement," said Hussain M Elius, now Co-Founder and CTO at River. "We're building tools that match the ambition and hustle of our people. It's time we had a platform that works for us, not against us."