Companies

Cryptocurrencies How Mastercard Plans To Process Card Payments Through Stablecoins

CoinSpot

“Mastercard is integrating stablecoins into card settlements. Banks will be able to use digital dollars like SoFiUSD. A partnership with SoFi Technologies will allow SoFi Bank to settle in SoFiUSD. The Galileo platform will open up this model to other banks and fintech companies as well. This is specifically about the post-payment settlement stage. Nothing […]

Tags: Mastercard

Blockchain Digital Currency Global Payments Stablecoins

Episode 289 - Stablecoin Infrastructure in Emerging Markets, with Chris Maurice, Yellow Card

In this episode, Chris Maurice, the CEO and co-founder of Yellow Card, joins Drew Edmond to explore how stablecoins are transforming global payments, especially in emerging markets, by addressing liquidity issues, reducing costs, improving compliance transparency, and enabling faster cross-border transactions. Listen in as they highlight the challenges of legacy infrastructure, regulatory evolution, interoperability, and the evolving role of banks and technology platforms in this ecosystem.

Companies

Mastercard to Acquire BVNK to Connect On-Chain Payments and Fiat Rails

Mastercard

“Mastercard announced a definitive agreement to acquire BVNK, a leader in stablecoin infrastructure, for up to $1.8 billion, including $300 million in contingent payments. The deal further expands Mastercard’s end-to-end support of digital assets and value movement across currencies, rails and regions.”

Tags: Mastercard

Glenbrook Innovation

Episode 288 - The First 25 Years of Glenbrook - Fanning the Flames with our Founders

For Glenbrook's 25th Anniversary, we speak with the three founding partners - Carol Coye Benson, Scott Loftesness, and Allen Weinberg - to celebrate the progress of the industry and the firm. Listen in as they recall the early days of the firm, discuss how Glenbrook’s strategy work expanded to form our education and global practices, consider the evolution of the “payments professional”, and reflect on payments industry shifts over their years both in and out of Glenbrook.

Blockchain CBDC Digital Currency Regulatory Environment Stablecoins

Episode 287 - Fanning the Flames - State of Stablecoins 2026

Join Glenbrook’s Russ Jones and Ashley Lannquist for a detailed discussion on the state of stablecoins, focusing on market developments, regulatory and policy impacts, usage patterns, and competition from other improved payments systems.

Industry

IMF Warns Stablecoins Are Just Private Dollar Warehouses

Cryptopolitan

“The IMF says stablecoins are becoming more closely tied to the US dollar system rather than replacing traditional banks. Dollar-backed stablecoins dominate the market, with USDC and USDT making up most of the total supply. The IMF warns that these Digital fiat tokens could weaken local currencies in fragile economies, but says proper regulation could […]

Industry

Stablecoin Usage Statistics 2026: Explosive Growth

SQ Magazine

“Stablecoins have emerged as a cornerstone of digital finance, blending the speed and accessibility of blockchain with the stability of fiat currencies. Stablecoin transaction volumes reached unprecedented heights, with on-chain activity underscoring their expanding role across global markets. Corporations are using stablecoins to settle cross-border payments instantly, reducing costs and delays vs traditional banking rails. […]

Artificial Intelligence Data ECommerce Payment Service Provider Payments Fraud

Episode 286 - Understanding Trust in the Modern Agentic and Digital Economy, with Jenny Hadlow and Rory O'Neill, Checkout.com

In this episode, Chris Uriarte welcomes Jenny Hadlow, COO, and Rory O’Neill, CMO, from Checkout.com to discuss the findings from their recent report “Trust in the Digital Economy 2025” and explore the interesting dimensions of trust that merchants, consumers, and service providers need to be aware of in today's ever changing digital (and agentic) economy.

Global

National Bank of Ethiopia Eyes Digital Birr

Capital Newspaper

“The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has begun formally studying Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) as part of a broader push to prepare the country’s financial system for an increasingly digital future, even as it insists that cash will remain part of the monetary landscape for decades to come. Governor Eyob Tekalign said the central […]

Tags: Ethiopia

Artificial Intelligence Card Networks Fast Payments Payments Fraud Regulatory Environment Stablecoins

Episode 285 - Fanning the Flames - What We're Watching in Payments in 2026

2026 is set to be another dynamic year in payments. Join our Glenbrook partners as they discuss their perspectives on industry trends and what they'll be keeping an eye on this year.

Global

India, China, South Africa, Other BRICS Nations to Explore Digital Currency Link to Crush Dollar

Business Insider Africa

“India has proposed that BRICS nations explore linking their official digital currencies to simplify cross-border trade and tourism payments, a move that could gradually reduce reliance on the US dollar as geopolitical tensions intensify.”

Tags: India

Artificial Intelligence Card Networks Glenbrook Payments Education Stablecoins

Episode 284 - Fanning the Flames - Advanced Payments Workshop Recap

If you missed our Advanced Payments workshop in San Francisco last month, tune in to this episode to hear Yvette Bohanan and Russ Jones discuss the key topics and conversations from the session, including card network updates, stablecoins, and agentic commerce.

Global

Interest Payments to Start for China’s Digital Yuan in 2026

Digital Watch Observatory

“A significant shift away from global views on central bank digital currencies has been made with the decision to allow China’s digital yuan to earn interest starting in January 2026. China’s decision could influence global debates as dozens of countries continue to explore the use of digital currencies. While Europe remains committed to a non-interest-bearing digital € […]

Banking Industry Blockchain Cryptocurrencies Digital Currency Stablecoins

Episode 283 - Banking on Stablecoins, with Scott Southall and Will Artingstall, Citi

In this episode, Yvette Bohanan and Ashley Lannquist welcome Scott Southall, Head of BaaS, and Will Artingstall, Head of Digital Assets Payments and e-Commerce at Citi, to dig into what recent stablecoin regulatory changes mean for the future of banking, how U.S. institutions are mobilizing behind digital dollars, why clients are asking about new forms of money, and what’s next as stablecoins potentially go mainstream in the American financial system.

Global

Norway Pauses CBDC Plans as Norges Bank Says No Immediate Need for Digital Krone

TradingView

“Norway has officially decided that a central bank digital currency (CBDC) isn’t an immediate necessity, despite years of dedicated research and global momentum around digital currencies. In a fresh update, Norges Bank said the current payment system still works efficiently for consumers, banks, and merchants, meaning there’s no urgent push to introduce a digital krone […]

Tags: Norway