Industry

Stablecoin Boom Forces Basel Committee to Rethink Punishing Bank Rules

Crypto News

“The explosive rise of stablecoins has triggered pressure from U.S. banks and regulators on the Basel Committee to reconsider its stringent capital requirements for crypto assets. Despite being marketed as lower-risk digital currencies, stablecoins remain subject to the same harsh regulatory treatment as volatile cryptocurrencies under current Basel rules. The existing regulations mandate that banks […]

Tech

Citi Completes Landmark Fiat-to-Digital Currency Payment Settlement Workflow Trial with Swift

PR Newswire

“Citi and Swift today announced a landmark trial that proves the feasibility of settling payments between fiat and digital currencies, in a Payment-versus-Payment (PvP) workflow. The trial demonstrates a powerful hybrid model for interoperability between traditional financial systems and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) networks.”

Tags: Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

Industry

Stablecoins Surpass Bitcoin as Go‑To Cryptocurrency for Illicit Transactions

Bitget

“While stablecoins aim to keep their value steady by being tied to fiat currencies, their expanding presence in digital finance has made them central to the movement of funds within blockchain networks. They play a vital role in decentralized finance (DeFi), aid cross-border payments, and help sustain liquidity. Yet, as their circulation widens, these same […]

Industry

Bealls Inc. Partners With Flexa to Offer Digital Currency Payment Options at Its Stores Nationwide

Flexa

“Bealls Inc. , a privately held retail corporation operating more than 660 stores across the United States, today announced a new in-store payments integration withFlexa, the global leader in digital payments. With this launch, Bealls Inc. became the first national retailer to accept digital currencies from any crypto wallet app across more than a dozen […]

Industry

Why EU and US Banks Are Racing to Issue Stablecoins

FinTech

“After years of hesitation, banks on both sides of the Atlantic are accelerating plans to issue stablecoins—digital tokens pegged to traditional currencies—transforming a space once dominated by fintech start-ups and unregulated issuers. The turning point came from two directions: the United States, where the GENIUS Act established a federal framework for dollar-backed stablecoins, and Europe, where the Markets in […]

Global

African Trade Bloc COMESA Launches Digital Payments System

Reuters

“The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa has launched a digital payments system to cut transaction costs by allowing businesses to settle deals in local currencies. COMESA, which has 21 member states including Egypt, Kenya and Ethiopia, joins efforts by the African continent to push for local currency payments systems to cut trade costs by eliminating […]

Tags: Africa

Industry

A Historical Perspective on Stablecoins

Liberty Street Economics

“Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to maintain a stable nominal value by being pegged to a benchmark such as the U.S. dollar. Stablecoins aim to combine decentralized payment systems’ technological advantages—such as digital methods of recording transactions (i.e., digital ledgers/blockchains) and of representing traditional assets (e.g., tokenization)—with the convenience of traditional forms of money. The […]

Industry

The Future of Payroll: How Stablecoins Are Reshaping Startup Fintech

OneSafe

“Stablecoins are making waves in the digital financial world, and it looks like they’re here to stay. Especially for fintech startups in Asia, these currencies are becoming crucial as they navigate a maze of regulations. These rules can be a double-edged sword. They can inflate compliance costs and create barriers for startups. And then there’s […]

Industry

Sibos/Swift: Interoperating Digital Currencies: Solving for the Diversity of Money [Video Session]

Swift

“Interoperating Digital Currencies: Solving for the Diversity of Money. [Video] .”

Industry

2025 AFP Digital Payments Survey

Financial Professionals

“Results from the 2025 AFP® Digital Payments Survey: A Triennial Publication indicate organizations are increasingly adopting emerging digital payment technologies. Approximately 30% of organizations report being familiar with cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, stablecoins or the role of central bank digital currencies within emerging digital payments, indicating there is a significant opportunity to increase awareness in the profession.”

Companies

MoneyGram Reinvents Cross-Border Finance with Next-Generation App

PR Newswire

“MoneyGram announced its next-generation mobile app, introducing a digital, USD-backed stored value account designed to work seamlessly with both traditional fiat currencies and stablecoins. Behind the scenes, the experience is powered by Stellar, the blockchain designed for fast, low-cost payments and real-world utility, and Crossmint, the leading wallet infrastructure and stablecoin payments platform.”

Tags: MoneyGram

Companies

PayPal Expands Crypto Payments with New Settlement Tool

Digital Watch Observatory

“PayPal has introduced ‘Pay with Crypto,’ a settlement feature that lets US merchants accept over 100 digital currencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and stablecoins. Shoppers pay from wallets like MetaMask or Coinbase, and merchants receive instant payouts in dollars or PYUSD. The service is designed to eliminate volatility risks by automatically converting crypto into fiat […]

Tags: PayPal

Industry

Advancing in Tandem - Results of the 2024 BIS Survey on Central Bank Digital Currencies and Crypto

BIS

“Central banks’ involvement in central bank digital currency (CBDC) work remained strong in 2024. Of the 93 central banks surveyed, 91% (85) were exploring either a retail CBDC, a wholesale CBDC or both. At an aggregate level, the exploration of wholesale CBDCs is at more advanced stages than exploration of retail CBDCs.”

Industry

Retailer Stablecoins: How They Threaten Credit Unions

CU Insight

“Retailer-issued stablecoins—digital currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar and controlled by merchants—are no longer just a tech curiosity; they pose a direct challenge to the $90 billion interchange fee system that has long subsidized credit union operations and member rewards programs. Major retailers are already experimenting with payment alternatives that bypass traditional networks. Amazon’s partnership […]

Companies

Stripe’s Bridge-Visa Card Offering Aims to Expand Global Financial Services Reach While Maintaining a Seamless User Experience

Fintech Magazine

“Neetika Bansal, Head of Money as a Service at Stripe, discusses how Stripe is positioning itself at the forefront of the stablecoin revolution with its Bridge-Visa card product, which the company believes represents a significant step forward in marrying traditional financial systems with digital currencies.”

Tags: Stripe