Twenty One Capital, a new company formed by Cantor Fitzgerald, Tether Holdings SA, and SoftBank Group, is about to become one of the largest public holders of bitcoin.
\nA Reuters report said the entity will launch with over 42,000 bitcoin (valued at about $3.6 billion), positioning it as the third-largest corporate bitcoin holder globally.
\nStablecoin issuer Tether will contribute $1.6 billion in bitcoin, with its affiliated exchange Bitfinex kicking in $600 million and Japanese technology investor SoftBank adding $900 million, the report said.
\nA statement from the company Wednesday (April 23) said Twenty One Capital will be majority-owned by Tether and Bitfinex, with SoftBank holding a minority stake.
\nStrike CEO Jack Mallers will lead the company as co-founder and CEO, according to reports. \u201cWe\u2019re not here to beat the market, we\u2019re here to build a new one. A public stock, built by bitcoiners, for bitcoiners,\u201d Mallers said in a statement.
\nThe investment vehicle was reportedly inspired by the success of bitcoin acquirer Strategy (formerly known as MicroStrategy). Bloomberg reports that Strategy has amassed about $45 billion worth of bitcoin.
\nAccording to Reuters, bitcoin is trading at $94,166, gaining more than 40% in the past six months.
\nFinancial and real estate services holding company Cantor Fitzgerald is headed by Brandon Lutnick, the son of U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. PYMNTS reported on the deepening ties between Cantor Fitzgerald and Tether in November.
\nA Reuters report said Cantor Fitzgerald holds 99% of Tether\u2019s U.S. Treasury reserves.
\nThe statement from Twenty One Capital said the partner companies plan to raise $585 million in additional capital through a combination of convertible bonds and equity financing.
\nCoinDesk reported that Twenty One Capital will merge with the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Cantor Equity Partners, which will keep its \u201cCEP\u201d NASDAQ ticker until the transaction is finalized. It is unclear when the deal is expected to close.
\nTwenty One Capital will trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol \u201cXXI\u201d after the deal closes, the report said.
\nTwenty One Capital also plans to report its performance in bitcoin per share (BPS) and bitcoin return rate (BRR), the company statement said.
\nThe post Cantor Fitzgerald, Tether, SoftBank Launch $3.6 Billion Bitcoin Investment Firm appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Twenty One Capital, a new company formed by Cantor Fitzgerald, Tether Holdings SA, and SoftBank Group, is about to become one of the largest public holders of bitcoin.\nA Reuters report said the entity will launch with over 42,000 bitcoin (valued at about $3.6 billion), positioning it as the third-largest corporate bitcoin holder globally.\nStablecoin issuer Tether will contribute $1.6 billion in bitcoin, with its affiliated exchange Bitfinex kicking in $600 million and Japanese technology investor SoftBank adding $900 million, the report said.\nA statement from the company Wednesday (April 23) said Twenty One Capital will be majority-owned by Tether and Bitfinex, with SoftBank holding a minority stake.\nStrike CEO Jack Mallers will lead the company as co-founder and CEO, according to reports. \u201cWe\u2019re not here to beat the market, we\u2019re here to build a new one. A public stock, built by bitcoiners, for bitcoiners,\u201d Mallers said in a statement.\nThe investment vehicle was reportedly inspired by the success of bitcoin acquirer Strategy (formerly known as MicroStrategy). Bloomberg reports that Strategy has amassed about $45 billion worth of bitcoin.\nAccording to Reuters, bitcoin is trading at $94,166, gaining more than 40% in the past six months.\nFinancial and real estate services holding company Cantor Fitzgerald is headed by Brandon Lutnick, the son of U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. PYMNTS reported on the deepening ties between Cantor Fitzgerald and Tether in November.\nA Reuters report said Cantor Fitzgerald holds 99% of Tether\u2019s U.S. Treasury reserves. \nThe statement from Twenty One Capital said the partner companies plan to raise $585 million in additional capital through a combination of convertible bonds and equity financing.\nCoinDesk reported that Twenty One Capital will merge with the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Cantor Equity Partners, which will keep its \u201cCEP\u201d NASDAQ ticker until the transaction is finalized. It is unclear when the deal is expected to close.\nTwenty One Capital will trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol \u201cXXI\u201d after the deal closes, the report said. \nTwenty One Capital also plans to report its performance in bitcoin per share (BPS) and bitcoin return rate (BRR), the company statement said.\nThe post Cantor Fitzgerald, Tether, SoftBank Launch $3.6 Billion Bitcoin Investment Firm appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-23T17:33:50-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-23T17:33:50-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Cantor-Fitzgerald-bitcoin-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Bitcoin", "bitfinex", "Brandon Lutnick", "Cantor Fitzgerald", "Cryptocurrency", "Howard Lutnick", "Investments", "Jack Mallers", "News", "PYMNTS News", "SoftBank Group Corp.", "strike", "Tether", "Twenty One Capital", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2690067", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/this-week-in-crypto-a-new-sec-chair-and-billions-in-institutional-investment/", "title": "Stablecoins Push to Go Mainstream Amid Crypto Renaissance", "content_html": "This isn\u2019t last week\u2019s crypto landscape. And it\u2019s far shake from last year\u2019s, too.
\nBitcoin has surged past $90,000, signaling renewed investor confidence in crypto markets after a classically volatile first few months of 2025. Simultaneously, major financial institutions are integrating blockchain technologies and regulatory frameworks are becoming more defined.
\nThis convergence of factors is ushering in a new era for digital finance, characterized by increased institutional participation, innovative stablecoin applications and strategic moves by unexpected players.\u200b
\nThe crypto industry in 2025 finds itself at a critical juncture, shaped less by speculative booms and more by its confrontation with regulation.
\nAs Dan Boyle, partner at\u00a0Boies Schiller Flexner, told PYMNTS\u2019 Karen Webster this week, \u201ccrypto is not getting a get-out-of-jail-free card\u201d\u2014 a nod to the end of the industry\u2019s regulatory gray area and the beginning of its era of accountability.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s some strategic value to being a world leader in digital assets \u2026 If my competitor is issuing a stablecoin or tokenizing assets, am I missing out if I don\u2019t?\u201d Boyle added.
\nIn a sign of the changing times, Paul S. Atkins was\u00a0sworn into office as the 34th chairman of the\u00a0Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday (April 21) after being confirmed by the Senate earlier this month. Atkins, who has been personally involved with digital assets, is viewed favorably by industry advocates.
\nThis shift is pushing institutional players out of the shadows, as evidenced by news this week. Major global banks, like ING, are in fact beginning to partner on stablecoin projects, motivated both by the fear of being left behind and the opportunity to define new standards. These are robust, multi-bank consortia aiming for real-world use cases \u2014 cross-border payments, corporate treasuries and eventually programmable money at scale.
\nMeanwhile, settlement infrastructure is catching up. The Lynq network \u2014 developed by Arca Labs, Tassat Group, and tZERO \u2014 promises real-time, yield-bearing settlements, a marked upgrade from legacy systems that still settle on T+2 timelines. This settlement innovation, which also includes participation from U.S. Bank, is critical for both risk management and unlocking new forms of financial products.
\nBut regulation is not just a hurdle; it\u2019s also an on-ramp for credibility. By building within clearer rules, crypto firms are opening doors to mainstream adoption. In this way, the \u201ccompliance crunch\u201d is less a death knell and more a growth spurt \u2014 setting the stage for new business models and products that would have been unimaginable in the industry\u2019s early days.
\nPutting an exclamation point on today\u2019s landscape, a Cantor Fitzgerald affiliate business is teaming up with SoftBank and Tether to create a multi-billion-dollar corporate treasury vehicle with the goal of accumulating bitcoin.
\nThey aren\u2019t alone. Upexi, a consumer products firm, is raising $100 million to accumulate Solana, echoing the \u201ccorporate treasury as crypto hedge\u201d playbook pioneered by MicroStrategy. This signals not just speculative belief, but operational integration: companies see blockchains not only as investment vehicles but as potential infrastructure for their own business models.
\nStablecoins \u2014 digital tokens pegged to fiat currency \u2014 were supposed to be crypto\u2019s killer app. In practice, their journey has been more complex.
\nOn one hand, there\u2019s an acceleration in the development of stablecoin infrastructure. Circle\u2019s launch of a stablecoin orchestration layer aims to make stablecoins \u201cinvisible\u201d in the best sense: moving money across borders, across blockchains and into the hands of consumers without them needing to understand the underlying tech. Major financial institutions are taking notice, not just with experimental projects but with real investment and product launches.\u00a0
\nThere are efforts to merge cash and crypto worlds. The partnership between CompoSecure and MoneyGram exemplifies this. By enabling cash-to-crypto conversions at thousands of global MoneyGram locations, stablecoins are made accessible to the unbanked and underbanked, potentially reshaping remittance and financial inclusion.
\nBut there\u2019s a disconnect: if stablecoins are so promising, why aren\u2019t they ubiquitous at the cash register or online checkout?
\nAs PYMNTS explored, merchant adoption is lagging. The reasons are myriad: regulatory uncertainty, concerns about fraud and reversibility, technical integration hurdles and the simple inertia of established payment methods. There\u2019s also a user experience gap \u2014 most people are not clamoring for change, especially if it\u2019s more complicated than swiping a card.
\nAdditionally, tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) is gaining steam. With\u00a0Visa,\u00a0Mastercard and JPMorgan testing tokenized forms of cash, treasuries and even real estate, we\u2019re beginning to see the outlines of a future where everything of value can be transacted in programmable, composable digital units.\u00a0
\nStill, widespread adoption will hinge on regulatory harmonization \u2014 especially for cross-border use cases \u2014 and the resolution of critical technical bottlenecks. The race is on: can stablecoin projects solve for \u201cspendability\u201d before their window of opportunity closes?
\nWhat\u2019s clear is that the market is bifurcating. \u201cCrypto as casino\u201d remains, but is being joined by \u201ccrypto as capital market.\u201d The result: a more mature, complex and \u2014 paradoxically \u2014 less predictable ecosystem.
\nTaken together, these three trends \u2014 regulatory maturation, the real-world quest for stablecoin utility and the institutionalization of digital assets \u2014 mark a turning point. The Wild West days of crypto are fading, replaced by a convergence with mainstream finance.
\nThe stakes are enormous. Success could mean a financial system that is faster, fairer and more inclusive, leveraging the strengths of both centralized and decentralized models. Failure \u2014 or stagnation \u2014 could see the space captured by legacy interests or fragmented by regulatory balkanization.
\nIn the end, the future of crypto will be shaped not just by code, but by collaboration \u2014 between innovators, regulators, financial giants and the everyday users whose adoption will determine which experiments take root and which fade into history.
\nThe post Stablecoins Push to Go Mainstream Amid Crypto Renaissance appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "This isn\u2019t last week\u2019s crypto landscape. And it\u2019s far shake from last year\u2019s, too. \nBitcoin has surged past $90,000, signaling renewed investor confidence in crypto markets after a classically volatile first few months of 2025. Simultaneously, major financial institutions are integrating blockchain technologies and regulatory frameworks are becoming more defined. \nThis convergence of factors is ushering in a new era for digital finance, characterized by increased institutional participation, innovative stablecoin applications and strategic moves by unexpected players.\u200b\nRegulatory Clarity and Institutional Integration\nThe crypto industry in 2025 finds itself at a critical juncture, shaped less by speculative booms and more by its confrontation with regulation. \nAs Dan Boyle, partner at\u00a0Boies Schiller Flexner, told PYMNTS\u2019 Karen Webster this week, \u201ccrypto is not getting a get-out-of-jail-free card\u201d\u2014 a nod to the end of the industry\u2019s regulatory gray area and the beginning of its era of accountability.\n\u201cThere\u2019s some strategic value to being a world leader in digital assets \u2026 If my competitor is issuing a stablecoin or tokenizing assets, am I missing out if I don\u2019t?\u201d Boyle added.\nIn a sign of the changing times, Paul S. Atkins was\u00a0sworn into office as the 34th chairman of the\u00a0Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Monday (April 21) after being confirmed by the Senate earlier this month. Atkins, who has been personally involved with digital assets, is viewed favorably by industry advocates.\nThis shift is pushing institutional players out of the shadows, as evidenced by news this week. Major global banks, like ING, are in fact beginning to partner on stablecoin projects, motivated both by the fear of being left behind and the opportunity to define new standards. These are robust, multi-bank consortia aiming for real-world use cases \u2014 cross-border payments, corporate treasuries and eventually programmable money at scale.\nMeanwhile, settlement infrastructure is catching up. The Lynq network \u2014 developed by Arca Labs, Tassat Group, and tZERO \u2014 promises real-time, yield-bearing settlements, a marked upgrade from legacy systems that still settle on T+2 timelines. This settlement innovation, which also includes participation from U.S. Bank, is critical for both risk management and unlocking new forms of financial products.\nBut regulation is not just a hurdle; it\u2019s also an on-ramp for credibility. By building within clearer rules, crypto firms are opening doors to mainstream adoption. In this way, the \u201ccompliance crunch\u201d is less a death knell and more a growth spurt \u2014 setting the stage for new business models and products that would have been unimaginable in the industry\u2019s early days.\nPutting an exclamation point on today\u2019s landscape, a Cantor Fitzgerald affiliate business is teaming up with SoftBank and Tether to create a multi-billion-dollar corporate treasury vehicle with the goal of accumulating bitcoin. \nThey aren\u2019t alone. Upexi, a consumer products firm, is raising $100 million to accumulate Solana, echoing the \u201ccorporate treasury as crypto hedge\u201d playbook pioneered by MicroStrategy. This signals not just speculative belief, but operational integration: companies see blockchains not only as investment vehicles but as potential infrastructure for their own business models.\nStablecoins: The Battle for Everyday Utility\nStablecoins \u2014 digital tokens pegged to fiat currency \u2014 were supposed to be crypto\u2019s killer app. In practice, their journey has been more complex.\nOn one hand, there\u2019s an acceleration in the development of stablecoin infrastructure. Circle\u2019s launch of a stablecoin orchestration layer aims to make stablecoins \u201cinvisible\u201d in the best sense: moving money across borders, across blockchains and into the hands of consumers without them needing to understand the underlying tech. Major financial institutions are taking notice, not just with experimental projects but with real investment and product launches.\u00a0\nThere are efforts to merge cash and crypto worlds. The partnership between CompoSecure and MoneyGram exemplifies this. By enabling cash-to-crypto conversions at thousands of global MoneyGram locations, stablecoins are made accessible to the unbanked and underbanked, potentially reshaping remittance and financial inclusion.\nBut there\u2019s a disconnect: if stablecoins are so promising, why aren\u2019t they ubiquitous at the cash register or online checkout? \nAs PYMNTS explored, merchant adoption is lagging. The reasons are myriad: regulatory uncertainty, concerns about fraud and reversibility, technical integration hurdles and the simple inertia of established payment methods. There\u2019s also a user experience gap \u2014 most people are not clamoring for change, especially if it\u2019s more complicated than swiping a card.\nAdditionally, tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) is gaining steam. With\u00a0Visa,\u00a0Mastercard and JPMorgan testing tokenized forms of cash, treasuries and even real estate, we\u2019re beginning to see the outlines of a future where everything of value can be transacted in programmable, composable digital units.\u00a0\nStill, widespread adoption will hinge on regulatory harmonization \u2014 especially for cross-border use cases \u2014 and the resolution of critical technical bottlenecks. The race is on: can stablecoin projects solve for \u201cspendability\u201d before their window of opportunity closes?\nWhat\u2019s clear is that the market is bifurcating. \u201cCrypto as casino\u201d remains, but is being joined by \u201ccrypto as capital market.\u201d The result: a more mature, complex and \u2014 paradoxically \u2014 less predictable ecosystem.\nTaken together, these three trends \u2014 regulatory maturation, the real-world quest for stablecoin utility and the institutionalization of digital assets \u2014 mark a turning point. The Wild West days of crypto are fading, replaced by a convergence with mainstream finance.\nThe stakes are enormous. Success could mean a financial system that is faster, fairer and more inclusive, leveraging the strengths of both centralized and decentralized models. Failure \u2014 or stagnation \u2014 could see the space captured by legacy interests or fragmented by regulatory balkanization.\nIn the end, the future of crypto will be shaped not just by code, but by collaboration \u2014 between innovators, regulators, financial giants and the everyday users whose adoption will determine which experiments take root and which fade into history.\nThe post Stablecoins Push to Go Mainstream Amid Crypto Renaissance appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-23T17:13:59-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-23T20:50:54-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/This-Week-in-Crypto-Web3-investments.jpg", "tags": [ "Bitcoin", "consumer finances", "crypto", "Crypto Regulations", "Cryptocurrency", "DeFi", "digital assets", "Featured News", "financial institutions", "News", "Paul Atkins", "PYMNTS News", "regulations", "SEC", "stablecoins", "This Week in Crypto", "This Week in Web3", "Web3" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2689864", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/paypal-launch-rewards-program-holders-pyusd-stablecoin/", "title": "PayPal to Launch Rewards Program for Holders of PYUSD Stablecoin", "content_html": "PayPal Holdings will launch a rewards program this summer that will allow users to earn rewards on holdings of the PayPal USD (PYUSD) stablecoin in their PayPal or Venmo wallets.
\nThe company expects to offer a 3.7% annual rewards rate upon the launch of the program, although it can change the rate at any time, PayPal Holdings said in a Wednesday (April 23) press release.
\nUsers will be able to immediately use the rewards to send to other PayPal or Venmo users, fund international transfers, exchange for fiat, convert to other cryptocurrencies or make purchases at merchants with PayPal Checkout, according to the release.
\n\u201cConsumers and businesses use PYUSD today for commerce, crypto, peer-to-peer transfers and B2B payments,\u201d PayPal President and CEO Alex Chriss said in the release. \u201cWe\u2019re demonstrating our commitment to an innovative, commerce-ready ecosystem by enabling it for the settlement of cross-border transfers, vendor payments and in the future for additional payment use cases like payouts and bill pay.\u201d
\nPayPal introduced PYUSD in August 2023, saying the U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin was issued by Paxos Trust Co.; 100% backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. Treasuries and similar cash equivalents; and \u201cdesigned to contribute to the opportunity stablecoins offer for payments.\u201d
\nDuring an investor day held Feb. 25, Michelle Gill, general manager of small business and financial services at PayPal, said the company expects to use the stablecoin to power a new B2B bill pay offering.
\n\u201cB2B bill pay is tapping into a $2 trillion market,\u201d Gill said. \u201cThis is exciting not just for our merchants, but also for PayPal in that it opens up a brand-new network. … They now get to invite their vendors and their suppliers to join the PayPal ecosystem. … By the end of 2025, we hope to power all of this through PYUSD.\u201d
\nCoinbase Wallet began letting users of its USDC stablecoin earn rewards by holding the stablecoin on-chain in November, saying rewards will be paid out monthly, directly into user wallets. The feature, USDC Rewards, is available in most regions worldwide and was made available to American users in November.
\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily Digital Transformation Newsletter.
\nThe post PayPal to Launch Rewards Program for Holders of PYUSD Stablecoin appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "PayPal Holdings will launch a rewards program this summer that will allow users to earn rewards on holdings of the PayPal USD (PYUSD) stablecoin in their PayPal or Venmo wallets.\nThe company expects to offer a 3.7% annual rewards rate upon the launch of the program, although it can change the rate at any time, PayPal Holdings said in a Wednesday (April 23) press release.\nUsers will be able to immediately use the rewards to send to other PayPal or Venmo users, fund international transfers, exchange for fiat, convert to other cryptocurrencies or make purchases at merchants with PayPal Checkout, according to the release.\n\u201cConsumers and businesses use PYUSD today for commerce, crypto, peer-to-peer transfers and B2B payments,\u201d PayPal President and CEO Alex Chriss said in the release. \u201cWe\u2019re demonstrating our commitment to an innovative, commerce-ready ecosystem by enabling it for the settlement of cross-border transfers, vendor payments and in the future for additional payment use cases like payouts and bill pay.\u201d\nPayPal introduced PYUSD in August 2023, saying the U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin was issued by Paxos Trust Co.; 100% backed by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term U.S. Treasuries and similar cash equivalents; and \u201cdesigned to contribute to the opportunity stablecoins offer for payments.\u201d\nDuring an investor day held Feb. 25, Michelle Gill, general manager of small business and financial services at PayPal, said the company expects to use the stablecoin to power a new B2B bill pay offering.\n\u201cB2B bill pay is tapping into a $2 trillion market,\u201d Gill said. \u201cThis is exciting not just for our merchants, but also for PayPal in that it opens up a brand-new network. … They now get to invite their vendors and their suppliers to join the PayPal ecosystem. … By the end of 2025, we hope to power all of this through PYUSD.\u201d\nCoinbase Wallet began letting users of its USDC stablecoin earn rewards by holding the stablecoin on-chain in November, saying rewards will be paid out monthly, directly into user wallets. The feature, USDC Rewards, is available in most regions worldwide and was made available to American users in November.\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily Digital Transformation Newsletter.\nThe post PayPal to Launch Rewards Program for Holders of PYUSD Stablecoin appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-23T12:22:38-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-23T12:22:38-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/PayPal-PYUSD-stablecoin-rewards.png", "tags": [ "Bitcoin", "Blockchain", "Cryptocurrency", "digital assets", "digital currency", "digital wallets", "loyalty rewards", "Mobile Wallets", "News", "PayPal", "PayPal Holdings", "PYMNTS News", "stablecoins", "Venmo", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2689019", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/not-a-get-out-of-jail-free-card-boies-schillers-dan-boyle-on-cryptos-regulatory-reset/", "title": "\u2018Not a Get Out of Jail Free Card:\u2019 Boies Schiller\u2019s Dan Boyle on Crypto\u2019s Regulatory Reset", "content_html": "The U.S. government’s evolving approach to crypto regulation could mark a pivotal moment for payments innovation.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s certainly a change in how the administration views the digital assets industry,\u201d\u00a0Dan Boyle, partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster. \u201cThis is not a confrontational posture.\u201d
\nUntil recently, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) operated under what many in the industry perceived as a \u201cregulation by prosecution\u201d doctrine, aggressively pursuing high-profile crypto cases while offering little regulatory guidance. But the DOJ\u2019s recent decision to pivot away from that stance, paired with growing bipartisan support for proposed frameworks for stablecoin regulation, signals a reimagining of how Washington approaches cryptocurrency oversight.
\nBoyle, who\u2019s seen the cryptocurrency conversation from both the prosecutor\u2019s desk and the defense table, believes that despite headline-making changes, crypto companies would be mistaken to interpret this as a green light to let down their guard.
\n\u201cThis shouldn\u2019t be seen as a get out of jail free card. It\u2019s just a change in posture and market participants have to recognize that,\u201d he said.
\nRather, it\u2019s a pragmatic acknowledgment that blanket hostility doesn\u2019t help to foster compliance or innovation. And as compliance improves among major exchanges and stablecoin issuers, Boyle anticipates a divergence within the crypto ecosystem.
\n\u201cYou\u2019re going to see a divide between some companies which become compliant and others that want to stay outside of it,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ll just see less in the gray area.\u201d
\nIn other words, when it comes to cryptocurrency, sunlight may be the best disinfectant.
\nCrypto\u2019s global reach has created a cat-and-mouse game between innovation and illicit activity. From cross-border scams to unregulated online marketplaces, the challenge for regulators is to protect consumers without stifling progress. For many in the industry, the DOJ\u2019s shift has introduced a new dilemma: where to refocus compliance efforts, and whether the enforcement risk has truly declined.
\nWhile enforcement risk remains, the GENIUS Act has emerged as a beacon of hope for crypto firms seeking clarity. If passed, it would be the first comprehensive U.S. framework for regulating stablecoins, a digital asset class often used as an off-ramp for criminal funds but increasingly embraced by mainstream financial institutions.
\n\u201cThe obvious growth in stablecoins and the fact that you have a lot of issuers ready to be fully compliant. It\u2019s a hard argument for Congress to ignore,\u201d Boyle said.
\nYet not all stablecoins are created equal. Criminal organizations continue to exploit the flexibility and speed of stablecoins, particularly when issued outside the bounds of U.S. regulation.
\n\u201cEven if stablecoins are the preferred medium for a lot of criminal activity, creating a regulated environment where these companies can operate in conjunction with law enforcement is probably a positive,\u201d Boyle said.
\nHis advice is to align with what\u00a0is\u00a0known: the administration\u2019s enforcement focus, recent executive orders and global geopolitical shifts. That means preparing for scrutiny around transactions linked to Venezuela, Iran or known cartels. It also means considering proactive disclosure if risky activity is detected.
\n\u201cYour risk has gone up higher,\u201d Boyle said bluntly. \u201cYou\u2019re going to have states and foreign regulators that still care about things like foreign bribery and kleptocracy. Those haven\u2019t gone away.\u201d
\nThe current administration, in Boyle\u2019s view, sees crypto not as a fad but as a lasting part of the financial ecosystem. And that opens the door for large enterprises that were previously sitting on the sidelines to explore partnerships, issue stablecoins or tokenize real-world assets.
\n\u201cWhen you look at how the prior administration just kind of viewed [crypto] as an area that wasn\u2019t particularly compliant \u2026 now there\u2019s going to be a lot of freedom to develop new technology,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s some strategic value to being a world leader in digital assets … If my competitor is issuing a stablecoin or tokenizing assets, am I missing out if I don\u2019t?\u201d
\nCrypto is no longer an outsider technology. It\u2019s moving into the mainstream, with all the legal, strategic and ethical responsibilities that entails. Still, the future could hinge on one crucial thing: defining what digital assets even\u00a0are. After all, as Webster noted, if you ask 10 people what a digital asset is, you\u2019ll get 15 different answers.
\nBoyle agreed, adding that, \u201ceven now, whatever definition we might come up with today, that may be obsolete in three to six months \u2026 Perhaps having more participants in the area is going to help us all understand what the scope of the category should be.\u201d
\nUltimately, for companies navigating crypto\u2019s uncertain terrain, Boyle offered these final words of advice: don\u2019t let your guard down, but don\u2019t sit it out.
\n\u201cIt is a catalyst for innovation,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a lane now for companies who want to do it right.\u201d
\nThe post ‘Not a Get Out of Jail Free Card:’ Boies Schiller\u2019s Dan Boyle on Crypto’s Regulatory Reset appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "The U.S. government’s evolving approach to crypto regulation could mark a pivotal moment for payments innovation.\n\u201cThere\u2019s certainly a change in how the administration views the digital assets industry,\u201d\u00a0Dan Boyle, partner at Boies Schiller Flexner, told PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster. \u201cThis is not a confrontational posture.\u201d\nUntil recently, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) operated under what many in the industry perceived as a \u201cregulation by prosecution\u201d doctrine, aggressively pursuing high-profile crypto cases while offering little regulatory guidance. But the DOJ\u2019s recent decision to pivot away from that stance, paired with growing bipartisan support for proposed frameworks for stablecoin regulation, signals a reimagining of how Washington approaches cryptocurrency oversight.\nBoyle, who\u2019s seen the cryptocurrency conversation from both the prosecutor\u2019s desk and the defense table, believes that despite headline-making changes, crypto companies would be mistaken to interpret this as a green light to let down their guard.\n\u201cThis shouldn\u2019t be seen as a get out of jail free card. It\u2019s just a change in posture and market participants have to recognize that,\u201d he said.\nRather, it\u2019s a pragmatic acknowledgment that blanket hostility doesn\u2019t help to foster compliance or innovation. And as compliance improves among major exchanges and stablecoin issuers, Boyle anticipates a divergence within the crypto ecosystem.\n\u201cYou\u2019re going to see a divide between some companies which become compliant and others that want to stay outside of it,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019ll just see less in the gray area.\u201d\nIn other words, when it comes to cryptocurrency, sunlight may be the best disinfectant.\nPlaying Whack-a-Mole With Risk\nCrypto\u2019s global reach has created a cat-and-mouse game between innovation and illicit activity. From cross-border scams to unregulated online marketplaces, the challenge for regulators is to protect consumers without stifling progress. For many in the industry, the DOJ\u2019s shift has introduced a new dilemma: where to refocus compliance efforts, and whether the enforcement risk has truly declined.\nWhile enforcement risk remains, the GENIUS Act has emerged as a beacon of hope for crypto firms seeking clarity. If passed, it would be the first comprehensive U.S. framework for regulating stablecoins, a digital asset class often used as an off-ramp for criminal funds but increasingly embraced by mainstream financial institutions.\n\u201cThe obvious growth in stablecoins and the fact that you have a lot of issuers ready to be fully compliant. It\u2019s a hard argument for Congress to ignore,\u201d Boyle said.\nYet not all stablecoins are created equal. Criminal organizations continue to exploit the flexibility and speed of stablecoins, particularly when issued outside the bounds of U.S. regulation.\n\u201cEven if stablecoins are the preferred medium for a lot of criminal activity, creating a regulated environment where these companies can operate in conjunction with law enforcement is probably a positive,\u201d Boyle said.\nHis advice is to align with what\u00a0is\u00a0known: the administration\u2019s enforcement focus, recent executive orders and global geopolitical shifts. That means preparing for scrutiny around transactions linked to Venezuela, Iran or known cartels. It also means considering proactive disclosure if risky activity is detected.\n\u201cYour risk has gone up higher,\u201d Boyle said bluntly. \u201cYou\u2019re going to have states and foreign regulators that still care about things like foreign bribery and kleptocracy. Those haven\u2019t gone away.\u201d\nRegulation as a Catalyst for Innovation?\nThe current administration, in Boyle\u2019s view, sees crypto not as a fad but as a lasting part of the financial ecosystem. And that opens the door for large enterprises that were previously sitting on the sidelines to explore partnerships, issue stablecoins or tokenize real-world assets.\n\u201cWhen you look at how the prior administration just kind of viewed [crypto] as an area that wasn\u2019t particularly compliant \u2026 now there\u2019s going to be a lot of freedom to develop new technology,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s some strategic value to being a world leader in digital assets … If my competitor is issuing a stablecoin or tokenizing assets, am I missing out if I don\u2019t?\u201d\nCrypto is no longer an outsider technology. It\u2019s moving into the mainstream, with all the legal, strategic and ethical responsibilities that entails. Still, the future could hinge on one crucial thing: defining what digital assets even\u00a0are. After all, as Webster noted, if you ask 10 people what a digital asset is, you\u2019ll get 15 different answers.\nBoyle agreed, adding that, \u201ceven now, whatever definition we might come up with today, that may be obsolete in three to six months \u2026 Perhaps having more participants in the area is going to help us all understand what the scope of the category should be.\u201d\nUltimately, for companies navigating crypto\u2019s uncertain terrain, Boyle offered these final words of advice: don\u2019t let your guard down, but don\u2019t sit it out.\n\u201cIt is a catalyst for innovation,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd there\u2019s a lane now for companies who want to do it right.\u201d\nThe post ‘Not a Get Out of Jail Free Card:’ Boies Schiller\u2019s Dan Boyle on Crypto’s Regulatory Reset appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-23T04:03:15-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-22T20:36:44-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/crypto-regulations.jpg", "tags": [ "Boies Schiller Flexner", "crypto", "Crypto Crime", "crypto regulation", "Cryptocurrency", "Dan Boyle", "Department of Justice", "digital currency", "DoJ", "Featured News", "Financial Crime", "GENIUS Act", "Government", "Legislation", "News", "payments innovation", "PYMNTS News", "pymnts tv", "regulations", "risk", "stablecoins", "video" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2689147", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/report-ing-working-on-stablecoin-project-with-other-banks/", "title": "Report: ING Working on Stablecoin Project With Other Banks", "content_html": "ING is reportedly working on a stablecoin project with other banks and crypto service providers.
\nThe Dutch bank launched the project after the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation last year created an opportunity to issue regulated stablecoins in the European Union (EU), CoinDesk reported Tuesday (April 22), citing unnamed sources.
\nReached by PYMNTS, ING declined to comment on the report.
\nThe EU\u2019s implementation of MiCA\u2019s provision for stablecoins put the EU at the forefront of crypto regulation, PYMNTS reported in July.
\nHaving stricter disclosure requirements, regular audits of crypto firms and more robust capital reserve requirements will provide the regulatory clarity crypto and Web3 firms had been asking for and help build trust and transparency across the marketplace.
\nFrench bank Societe Generale opened its euro-backed stablecoin to retail investors in 2024, PYMNTS reported in December.
\nThe bank\u2019s integrated and regulated subsidiary, Societe Generale-Forge said in July that it updated its EUR CoinVertible (EURCV) stablecoin to comply with the MiCA regulation and allow its widespread adoption and distribution.
\n\u201cRobust and regulated stablecoins are essential to the proper functioning, security and institutionalization of crypto-asset markets,\u201d Societe Generale-Forge CEO Jean-Marc Stenger said in a July 1 press release. \u201cWith EUR CoinVertible, and the implementation of the European MiCA regulation, SG-Forge is strengthening its offering to crypto ecosystems while continuing to develop innovative cross-border settlement and payment solutions based on blockchain technology for its corporate and financial institution clients.\u201d
\nStablecoin issuer Circle said in July that it attained an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the French banking authority, thereby achieving compliance with the MiCA regulatory framework and enabling it to issue USDC and EURC stablecoins in compliance with MiCA\u2019s regulatory obligations for stablecoins or eMoney tokens.
\nCircle CEO and Co-founder Jeremy Allaire said in a July 1 press release that the achievement is \u201ca huge milestone in bringing digital currency into mainstream scale and acceptance.\u201d
\n\u201cBy working closely with French and EU regulators, we are now able to offer both USDC and EURC as fully compliant dollar and euro stablecoins to the European market, unlocking the enormous potential of digital assets to transform finance and commerce.\u201d
\nThe post Report: ING Working on Stablecoin Project With Other Banks appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "ING is reportedly working on a stablecoin project with other banks and crypto service providers.\nThe Dutch bank launched the project after the implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation last year created an opportunity to issue regulated stablecoins in the European Union (EU), CoinDesk reported Tuesday (April 22), citing unnamed sources.\nReached by PYMNTS, ING declined to comment on the report.\nThe EU\u2019s implementation of MiCA\u2019s provision for stablecoins put the EU at the forefront of crypto regulation, PYMNTS reported in July.\nHaving stricter disclosure requirements, regular audits of crypto firms and more robust capital reserve requirements will provide the regulatory clarity crypto and Web3 firms had been asking for and help build trust and transparency across the marketplace.\nFrench bank Societe Generale opened its euro-backed stablecoin to retail investors in 2024, PYMNTS reported in December.\nThe bank\u2019s integrated and regulated subsidiary, Societe Generale-Forge said in July that it updated its EUR CoinVertible (EURCV) stablecoin to comply with the MiCA regulation and allow its widespread adoption and distribution.\n\u201cRobust and regulated stablecoins are essential to the proper functioning, security and institutionalization of crypto-asset markets,\u201d Societe Generale-Forge CEO Jean-Marc Stenger said in a July 1 press release. \u201cWith EUR CoinVertible, and the implementation of the European MiCA regulation, SG-Forge is strengthening its offering to crypto ecosystems while continuing to develop innovative cross-border settlement and payment solutions based on blockchain technology for its corporate and financial institution clients.\u201d\nStablecoin issuer Circle said in July that it attained an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the French banking authority, thereby achieving compliance with the MiCA regulatory framework and enabling it to issue USDC and EURC stablecoins in compliance with MiCA\u2019s regulatory obligations for stablecoins or eMoney tokens.\nCircle CEO and Co-founder Jeremy Allaire said in a July 1 press release that the achievement is \u201ca huge milestone in bringing digital currency into mainstream scale and acceptance.\u201d\n\u201cBy working closely with French and EU regulators, we are now able to offer both USDC and EURC as fully compliant dollar and euro stablecoins to the European market, unlocking the enormous potential of digital assets to transform finance and commerce.\u201d\nThe post Report: ING Working on Stablecoin Project With Other Banks appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-22T13:15:13-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-22T13:15:13-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ING-stablecoin-banks.png", "tags": [ "banking", "Banks", "crypto", "Cryptocurrency", "digital assets", "digital currency", "EMEA", "ING", "Markets in Crypto-assets", "MICA", "News", "PYMNTS News", "stablecoins", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2689111", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/crypto-firms-chase-bank-charters-circle-launches-stablecoin-orchestration-layer/", "title": "Crypto Firms Chase Bank Charters as Circle Launches Stablecoin Orchestration Layer", "content_html": "The changing cryptocurrency landscape in the United States could have a downstream impact on how businesses move, hold, store and monetize payments.
\nPaul S. Atkins was sworn into office as the 34th chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Monday (April 21) after being confirmed by the Senate earlier this month. Atkins, who has long been personally involved with digital assets, is viewed favorably by industry advocates, who are hopeful he will use his position atop the regulatory body to drive forward regulatory clarity for the digital asset landscape.
\nIn a sign of the evolving times, Circle, the FinTech firm best known for the USDC stablecoin, unveiled Monday an initiative called the Circle Payments Network (CPN), which aims to modernize how value flows worldwide.
\nCPN will connect financial institutions and enable real-time settlement of cross-border payments using USDC, EURC and other regulated stablecoins, the company laid out in a white paper.
\nSeparately, crypto companies like Paxos and Coinbase, as well as Circle, are pursuing bank charters, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, essentially seeking to become part of the very banking system that has historically kept them at arm\u2019s length.
\nFor chief financial officers, treasurers and payment executives, these trends could affect how companies manage money in the coming years.
\nRead also: The Digital Asset Primer: On-Chain Tokenization for Payments Professionals
\nAt a high level, CPN is a blockchain-powered payment network that connects financial institutions (FIs) and allows them to transact using digital stablecoins as the settlement medium. Participants might include banks, neobanks, payment service providers, FinTechs and digital wallet operators.
\nBy joining CPN, these institutions can send and receive payments globally in real time via stablecoins like USDC (a U.S. dollar-pegged coin) or EURC (a euro-pegged coin), which are redeemable 1-to-1 for fiat currency. The stablecoins effectively act as the transmittal vehicle for value, zipping from sender to receiver faster than traditional bank wires.
\nOne key aspect is that CPN itself doesn\u2019t move cash between bank accounts in the old-fashioned way. Instead, it coordinates the movement of stablecoins between network participants.
\n\u201cImportantly, CPN does not move funds directly; rather, it serves as a marketplace of financial institutions and acts as a coordination protocol that orchestrates global money movement and the seamless exchange of information,\u201d Circle\u2019s white paper said.
\nCPN can essentially be viewed as an orchestration layer that tells participants how and when to transfer tokens (and the corresponding fiat on their balance sheets) to complete a transaction. Circle\u2019s role is as the network operator defining the rules (the protocol) and providing the APIs and smart contracts that participants plug into.
\nCircle\u2019s ultimate vision for CPN isn\u2019t just a single product but a framework others can build upon, more akin to how the internet\u2019s open protocols enabled a proliferation of websites and applications. For corporate finance teams, this could mean a richer array of financial services available on one interoperable network, rather than siloed portals and bank platforms.
\nSee also: 3 Things Payment Stakeholders Can All Agree On About Stablecoins
\nWhile Circle is building out the CPN platform, it\u2019s also part of a broader movement of crypto companies pushing into the regulated banking sector. Several crypto and FinTech firms are seeking U.S. bank charters or similar licenses right now.
\nIt\u2019s a striking development, given that just a year or two ago the relationship between crypto firms and banks was fraught. In 2023, after high-profile failures like FTX in the crypto industry and the collapse of crypto-friendly institutions like Silvergate Bank and Signature Bank, many traditional banks pulled back from serving crypto clients.
\nIf successful, a company like Circle could hold customer deposits, custody reserves for stablecoins, and make loans or offer other banking services, all under the supervision of bank regulators.
\nThere\u2019s a growing sentiment among policymakers (on both sides of the aisle) that if stablecoins are to be a part of the financial system, they need a legal foundation similar to banks or money market funds. By obtaining bank charters or trust licenses now, crypto companies could get ahead of impending regulations and shape them.
\nChartered institutions also have certain advantages. They can potentially get direct access to Federal Reserve payment systems, hold customer dollar balances in central bank accounts, and operate across all 50 states without needing a patchwork of state licenses.
\nFor a stablecoin issuer like Circle or Paxos, being a nationally regulated bank could bolster trust among large institutions and users \u2014 essentially saying, \u201cWe meet the same standards as the bank where you hold your corporate treasury or your personal savings.\u201d
\nIt\u2019s worth noting that not all these firms are pursuing the same type of charter. Circle and BitGo are reportedly aiming for full-service national bank charters. Others have considered national trust bank charters or even industrial loan company (ILC) charters.
\nIf these charters are approved, regulators will subject the firms to bank-like scrutiny. This is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it means greater oversight and accountability (good for customers and the system\u2019s integrity), but on the other hand, it means these companies must mature their risk management, compliance operations and capital requirements.
\nAs crypto firms become regulated banks or trust companies, partnering with them becomes less of a reputational or regulatory risk for businesses. A Fortune 500 company might have been hesitant to hold stablecoins or use a crypto service provider when the sector was seen as the Wild West. But if that provider is now a supervised bank entity (subject to audits, capital requirements and oversight by federal regulators), it changes the equation.
\nUltimately, the takeaway for business leaders is to stay informed and be prepared.
\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation and B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily Digital Transformation and B2B Newsletters.
\nThe post Crypto Firms Chase Bank Charters as Circle Launches Stablecoin Orchestration Layer appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "The changing cryptocurrency landscape in the United States could have a downstream impact on how businesses move, hold, store and monetize payments.\nPaul S. Atkins was sworn into office as the 34th chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Monday (April 21) after being confirmed by the Senate earlier this month. Atkins, who has long been personally involved with digital assets, is viewed favorably by industry advocates, who are hopeful he will use his position atop the regulatory body to drive forward regulatory clarity for the digital asset landscape.\nIn a sign of the evolving times, Circle, the FinTech firm best known for the USDC stablecoin, unveiled Monday an initiative called the Circle Payments Network (CPN), which aims to modernize how value flows worldwide.\nCPN will connect financial institutions and enable real-time settlement of cross-border payments using USDC, EURC and other regulated stablecoins, the company laid out in a white paper.\nSeparately, crypto companies like Paxos and Coinbase, as well as Circle, are pursuing bank charters, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, essentially seeking to become part of the very banking system that has historically kept them at arm\u2019s length.\nFor chief financial officers, treasurers and payment executives, these trends could affect how companies manage money in the coming years.\nRead also: The Digital Asset Primer: On-Chain Tokenization for Payments Professionals\nWhat to Know About Circle\u2019s Payment Network and Stablecoins\nAt a high level, CPN is a blockchain-powered payment network that connects financial institutions (FIs) and allows them to transact using digital stablecoins as the settlement medium. Participants might include banks, neobanks, payment service providers, FinTechs and digital wallet operators.\nBy joining CPN, these institutions can send and receive payments globally in real time via stablecoins like USDC (a U.S. dollar-pegged coin) or EURC (a euro-pegged coin), which are redeemable 1-to-1 for fiat currency. The stablecoins effectively act as the transmittal vehicle for value, zipping from sender to receiver faster than traditional bank wires.\nOne key aspect is that CPN itself doesn\u2019t move cash between bank accounts in the old-fashioned way. Instead, it coordinates the movement of stablecoins between network participants.\n\u201cImportantly, CPN does not move funds directly; rather, it serves as a marketplace of financial institutions and acts as a coordination protocol that orchestrates global money movement and the seamless exchange of information,\u201d Circle\u2019s white paper said.\nCPN can essentially be viewed as an orchestration layer that tells participants how and when to transfer tokens (and the corresponding fiat on their balance sheets) to complete a transaction. Circle\u2019s role is as the network operator defining the rules (the protocol) and providing the APIs and smart contracts that participants plug into.\nCircle\u2019s ultimate vision for CPN isn\u2019t just a single product but a framework others can build upon, more akin to how the internet\u2019s open protocols enabled a proliferation of websites and applications. For corporate finance teams, this could mean a richer array of financial services available on one interoperable network, rather than siloed portals and bank platforms.\nSee also: 3 Things Payment Stakeholders Can All Agree On About Stablecoins\nCrypto Firms Are Knocking on Banking\u2019s Door\nWhile Circle is building out the CPN platform, it\u2019s also part of a broader movement of crypto companies pushing into the regulated banking sector. Several crypto and FinTech firms are seeking U.S. bank charters or similar licenses right now.\nIt\u2019s a striking development, given that just a year or two ago the relationship between crypto firms and banks was fraught. In 2023, after high-profile failures like FTX in the crypto industry and the collapse of crypto-friendly institutions like Silvergate Bank and Signature Bank, many traditional banks pulled back from serving crypto clients.\nIf successful, a company like Circle could hold customer deposits, custody reserves for stablecoins, and make loans or offer other banking services, all under the supervision of bank regulators.\nThere\u2019s a growing sentiment among policymakers (on both sides of the aisle) that if stablecoins are to be a part of the financial system, they need a legal foundation similar to banks or money market funds. By obtaining bank charters or trust licenses now, crypto companies could get ahead of impending regulations and shape them.\nChartered institutions also have certain advantages. They can potentially get direct access to Federal Reserve payment systems, hold customer dollar balances in central bank accounts, and operate across all 50 states without needing a patchwork of state licenses.\nFor a stablecoin issuer like Circle or Paxos, being a nationally regulated bank could bolster trust among large institutions and users \u2014 essentially saying, \u201cWe meet the same standards as the bank where you hold your corporate treasury or your personal savings.\u201d\nIt\u2019s worth noting that not all these firms are pursuing the same type of charter. Circle and BitGo are reportedly aiming for full-service national bank charters. Others have considered national trust bank charters or even industrial loan company (ILC) charters.\nIf these charters are approved, regulators will subject the firms to bank-like scrutiny. This is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it means greater oversight and accountability (good for customers and the system\u2019s integrity), but on the other hand, it means these companies must mature their risk management, compliance operations and capital requirements.\nAs crypto firms become regulated banks or trust companies, partnering with them becomes less of a reputational or regulatory risk for businesses. A Fortune 500 company might have been hesitant to hold stablecoins or use a crypto service provider when the sector was seen as the Wild West. But if that provider is now a supervised bank entity (subject to audits, capital requirements and oversight by federal regulators), it changes the equation.\nUltimately, the takeaway for business leaders is to stay informed and be prepared.\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation and B2B coverage, subscribe to the daily Digital Transformation and B2B Newsletters.\nThe post Crypto Firms Chase Bank Charters as Circle Launches Stablecoin Orchestration Layer appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-22T11:24:06-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-23T16:40:40-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/xec-crypto-regulation.jpg", "tags": [ "B2B", "B2B Payments", "banking", "Banks", "Bitcoin", "Blockchain", "CFO", "circle", "Circle Payments Network", "commercial payments", "cross-border payments", "Cryptocurrency", "digital assets", "digital currency", "digital transformation", "Featured News", "FinTech", "Global Payments", "Government", "News", "PYMNTS News", "regulations", "SEC", "Securities and Exchange Commission", "stablecoins" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2688641", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/composecure-launches-wallet-integration-with-moneygram-for-cash-to-crypto-access/", "title": "CompoSecure Launches Wallet Integration With MoneyGram for Cash-to-Crypto Access", "content_html": "As cryptocurrency makes strides toward real-world spending accessibility, payment card and security solutions provider CompoSecure announced the integration of its Arculus Cold Storage Wallet with MoneyGram Access.
\nThe move lets users convert physical cash to digital USDC stablecoins and withdraw cash at MoneyGram locations worldwide, according to a Monday (April 21) press release.
\nAccording to the release, this integration allows users to deposit cash at participating MoneyGram locations and receive Circle USDC on the Stellar blockchain, which can be managed within the self-custody Arculus crypto wallet. Users can also withdraw local currency from their digital USDC holdings at over 440,000 MoneyGram retail locations across more than 200 countries and territories, the release said.
\nAdam Lowe, chief product and innovation officer at CompoSecure and Arculus, said this could be particularly appealing to those who lack access to traditional banking services. \u201cWe are bringing efficient and alternative technologies to millions of unbanked individuals without ready access to traditional banking and providing them with security and flexibility,\u201d Lowe said in the release. \u201cThis integration enables people to convert physical cash into digital dollars on the highly performant Stellar blockchain and store those digital dollars securely, giving them complete autonomy and control over their assets.\u201d
\nThe release also noted that Stellar blockchain\u2019s infrastructure supports the tokenization and trading of various currencies \u2014 including the U.S. dollar and the euro \u2014 providing interoperability between financial systems.
\nIn addition, CompoSecure received a grant from the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) to develop Soroban smart contracts for the Stellar blockchain, according to the release. This initiative aims to allow stablecoin holders to make payments directly from self-custody wallets at merchants that accept Visa or Mastercard. Once implemented, stablecoin holders will be able to make purchases at conventional point-of-sale terminals using their digital assets, connecting digital finance to everyday commerce.
\n\u201cArculus is making it possible to spend stablecoins with a simple tap just like any other payment card. This is the kind of utility that drives real-world adoption and demonstrates how everyday purchases can be made easy, accessible, and secure on Stellar,\u201d Stellar Development Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon said in the release.
\nThe post CompoSecure Launches Wallet Integration With MoneyGram for Cash-to-Crypto Access appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "As cryptocurrency makes strides toward real-world spending accessibility, payment card and security solutions provider CompoSecure announced the integration of its Arculus Cold Storage Wallet with MoneyGram Access.\nThe move lets users convert physical cash to digital USDC stablecoins and withdraw cash at MoneyGram locations worldwide, according to a Monday (April 21) press release.\nAccording to the release, this integration allows users to deposit cash at participating MoneyGram locations and receive Circle USDC on the Stellar blockchain, which can be managed within the self-custody Arculus crypto wallet. Users can also withdraw local currency from their digital USDC holdings at over 440,000 MoneyGram retail locations across more than 200 countries and territories, the release said.\nAdam Lowe, chief product and innovation officer at CompoSecure and Arculus, said this could be particularly appealing to those who lack access to traditional banking services. \u201cWe are bringing efficient and alternative technologies to millions of unbanked individuals without ready access to traditional banking and providing them with security and flexibility,\u201d Lowe said in the release. \u201cThis integration enables people to convert physical cash into digital dollars on the highly performant Stellar blockchain and store those digital dollars securely, giving them complete autonomy and control over their assets.\u201d\nThe release also noted that Stellar blockchain\u2019s infrastructure supports the tokenization and trading of various currencies \u2014 including the U.S. dollar and the euro \u2014 providing interoperability between financial systems.\nIn addition, CompoSecure received a grant from the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) to develop Soroban smart contracts for the Stellar blockchain, according to the release. This initiative aims to allow stablecoin holders to make payments directly from self-custody wallets at merchants that accept Visa or Mastercard. Once implemented, stablecoin holders will be able to make purchases at conventional point-of-sale terminals using their digital assets, connecting digital finance to everyday commerce.\n\u201cArculus is making it possible to spend stablecoins with a simple tap just like any other payment card. This is the kind of utility that drives real-world adoption and demonstrates how everyday purchases can be made easy, accessible, and secure on Stellar,\u201d Stellar Development Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon said in the release.\nThe post CompoSecure Launches Wallet Integration With MoneyGram for Cash-to-Crypto Access appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-21T16:08:07-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-21T16:08:07-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/MoneyGram.jpg", "tags": [ "Arculus", "Arculus Cold Storage Wallet", "Circle USDC", "CompoSecure", "Cryptocurrency", "digital currency", "digital wallets", "MoneyGram", "News", "PYMNTS News", "stablecoins", "USDC", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2685309", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/agridex-bets-stablecoins-will-transform-2-trillion-dollar-agriculture-market/", "title": "Exclusive: AgriDex Bets Stablecoins Will Transform $2.7 Trillion Ag Market", "content_html": "Despite being a $2.7 trillion global industry that underpins human survival, the global agricultural trade\u2019s supply chains remain tangled in outdated systems, high fees and lengthy settlements.
\n\u201cThere is a huge amount of friction in global trade, especially in emerging parts of the world,\u201d AgriDex CEO Henry Duckworth told Karen Webster. \u201cYou can fix that with the digitization of contracts and easier payments.\u201d
\nThe company\u2019s newest product, Loam, is a USD-backed stablecoin payment rail designed to cut settlement times, reduce transaction costs and bring more transparency to cross-border agricultural transactions. Through Loam\u2019s web-based platform, exporters can manage payments, process invoices and complete trades with little more than a smartphone and an internet connection.
\n\u201cEven if you\u2019re in the bush in the middle of Central Africa, why do you need to pay DHL to fly your documents all the way to the end buyer on the other side of the world?\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cWhy not just do it all through your computer or mobile system?\u201d
\nIn a world where food security is increasingly entangled with climate change, geopolitical instability and broken trade routes, the financial plumbing that underpins global agricultural trade could be overdue for responsible disruption.
\nTo start the transformation, AgriDex is focusing first on a specific set of users: exporters who have already been vetted through existing compliance regimes.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re not starting from scratch,\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cThese are established farmers and producers who already work with banks, buyers and regulators. They\u2019ve cleared the major licensing hurdles. We are just giving them better tools.\u201d
\nAt its core, Loam is a USD-backed stablecoin payment rail that uses smart contracts to enforce transactions under English company law, helping to mitigate risk in jurisdictions where currency volatility and shaky legal systems might otherwise scare off institutional investors.
\n\u201cInstead of going to a local bank to spend a lot of money turning your local cash into a U.S. dollar… you can jump over that by simply logging onto Loam, uploading your documentation, passing your KYB and engaging with your end traders,\u201d Duckworth said.
\nHowever, as with any blockchain-powered innovation, the technology is not the hard part. Building end-user trust is. Convincing farmers and buyers to abandon their long-standing habits and adopt a blockchain-based payment system requires more than a clever user experience. It requires boots-on-the-ground literacy campaigns and incentives that speak to immediate pain points.
\n\u201cWe often work with older farmers who are naturally cautious, and we tell them, \u2018Just test it with a smaller trade flow and a buyer you already know,\u2019\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cOnce they see the benefits of cheaper and faster payments, they come back. Your sellers can get you better quality products faster if you engage in a system that pays them fairer.\u201d
\nFor buyers, the enablement and acceptance incentive is simple but powerful: a forex arbitrage. In markets like South Africa, Loam users, for example, can gain up to 2% on USD conversion compared to traditional routes, which can provide an edge that matters, especially in low-margin businesses.
\nStill, as blockchain infrastructure continues to grow and mature, it is becoming increasingly clear that payments are just the tip of the iceberg. Many sector observers see the biggest long-term opportunity in on-chain credit, where Web3 capital can meet a need for working capital in underbanked regions.
\n\u201cThere is a dearth of credit to some really amazing producers, exporters and traders in the region,\u201d Duckworth said, noting that Web3 investors, with their higher risk appetite, could fill that gap.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s not about throwing money around recklessly but about backing vetted businesses that just need liquidity,\u201d he said. \u201cBuyer beware, but there\u2019s an amazing opportunity here.\u201d
\nThis opportunity is best understood through the lens of the \u201cleapfrog effect.\u201d In much the same way that mobile phones allowed many developing countries to skip over the landline era entirely, blockchain and decentralized finance have the potential to leapfrog traditional financial systems.
\nAs for the macro environment shaping stablecoin adoption, Duckworth said he is cautiously optimistic.
\n\u201cWe are going into a multi-currency world,\u201d he said. \u201cAmerican dominance as a singular point of currency is going to be declining. Whether it snaps or ratchets down 1% every year remains to be seen.\u201d
\nHe said he believes Europe could lead the charge with a digital euro, forcing businesses to adapt.
\n\u201cSome people just don\u2019t get the tech, and that\u2019s OK,\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cI still remember my granny didn\u2019t want to use cellphones for the first 10 years. Now, she can\u2019t live without it.\u201d
\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily Digital Transformation Newsletter.
\nThe post Exclusive: AgriDex Bets Stablecoins Will Transform $2.7 Trillion Ag Market appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Despite being a $2.7 trillion global industry that underpins human survival, the global agricultural trade\u2019s supply chains remain tangled in outdated systems, high fees and lengthy settlements.\n\u201cThere is a huge amount of friction in global trade, especially in emerging parts of the world,\u201d AgriDex CEO Henry Duckworth told Karen Webster. \u201cYou can fix that with the digitization of contracts and easier payments.\u201d\nThe company\u2019s newest product, Loam, is a USD-backed stablecoin payment rail designed to cut settlement times, reduce transaction costs and bring more transparency to cross-border agricultural transactions. Through Loam\u2019s web-based platform, exporters can manage payments, process invoices and complete trades with little more than a smartphone and an internet connection.\n\u201cEven if you\u2019re in the bush in the middle of Central Africa, why do you need to pay DHL to fly your documents all the way to the end buyer on the other side of the world?\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cWhy not just do it all through your computer or mobile system?\u201d\nIn a world where food security is increasingly entangled with climate change, geopolitical instability and broken trade routes, the financial plumbing that underpins global agricultural trade could be overdue for responsible disruption.\nTo start the transformation, AgriDex is focusing first on a specific set of users: exporters who have already been vetted through existing compliance regimes.\n\u201cWe\u2019re not starting from scratch,\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cThese are established farmers and producers who already work with banks, buyers and regulators. They\u2019ve cleared the major licensing hurdles. We are just giving them better tools.\u201d\nTrust Is the Key Currency of Blockchain Innovation\nAt its core, Loam is a USD-backed stablecoin payment rail that uses smart contracts to enforce transactions under English company law, helping to mitigate risk in jurisdictions where currency volatility and shaky legal systems might otherwise scare off institutional investors.\n\u201cInstead of going to a local bank to spend a lot of money turning your local cash into a U.S. dollar… you can jump over that by simply logging onto Loam, uploading your documentation, passing your KYB and engaging with your end traders,\u201d Duckworth said.\nHowever, as with any blockchain-powered innovation, the technology is not the hard part. Building end-user trust is. Convincing farmers and buyers to abandon their long-standing habits and adopt a blockchain-based payment system requires more than a clever user experience. It requires boots-on-the-ground literacy campaigns and incentives that speak to immediate pain points.\n\u201cWe often work with older farmers who are naturally cautious, and we tell them, \u2018Just test it with a smaller trade flow and a buyer you already know,\u2019\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cOnce they see the benefits of cheaper and faster payments, they come back. Your sellers can get you better quality products faster if you engage in a system that pays them fairer.\u201d\nFor buyers, the enablement and acceptance incentive is simple but powerful: a forex arbitrage. In markets like South Africa, Loam users, for example, can gain up to 2% on USD conversion compared to traditional routes, which can provide an edge that matters, especially in low-margin businesses.\nInfrastructure and the Leapfrog Effect\nStill, as blockchain infrastructure continues to grow and mature, it is becoming increasingly clear that payments are just the tip of the iceberg. Many sector observers see the biggest long-term opportunity in on-chain credit, where Web3 capital can meet a need for working capital in underbanked regions.\n\u201cThere is a dearth of credit to some really amazing producers, exporters and traders in the region,\u201d Duckworth said, noting that Web3 investors, with their higher risk appetite, could fill that gap.\n\u201cIt\u2019s not about throwing money around recklessly but about backing vetted businesses that just need liquidity,\u201d he said. \u201cBuyer beware, but there\u2019s an amazing opportunity here.\u201d\nThis opportunity is best understood through the lens of the \u201cleapfrog effect.\u201d In much the same way that mobile phones allowed many developing countries to skip over the landline era entirely, blockchain and decentralized finance have the potential to leapfrog traditional financial systems.\nAs for the macro environment shaping stablecoin adoption, Duckworth said he is cautiously optimistic.\n\u201cWe are going into a multi-currency world,\u201d he said. \u201cAmerican dominance as a singular point of currency is going to be declining. Whether it snaps or ratchets down 1% every year remains to be seen.\u201d\nHe said he believes Europe could lead the charge with a digital euro, forcing businesses to adapt.\n\u201cSome people just don\u2019t get the tech, and that\u2019s OK,\u201d Duckworth said. \u201cI still remember my granny didn\u2019t want to use cellphones for the first 10 years. Now, she can\u2019t live without it.\u201d\nFor all PYMNTS digital transformation coverage, subscribe to the daily Digital Transformation Newsletter.\nThe post Exclusive: AgriDex Bets Stablecoins Will Transform $2.7 Trillion Ag Market appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-16T09:00:49-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-16T20:58:39-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/stablecoins-agriculture-global-trade.jpg", "tags": [ "AgriDex", "B2B", "B2B Payments", "Bitcoin", "Blockchain", "commercial payments", "cross-border payments", "Cryptocurrency", "digital transformation", "Featured News", "Global Payments", "Henry Duckworth", "Innovation", "Loam", "News", "PYMNTS News", "pymnts tv", "stablecoins", "supply chain management", "Technology", "video" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2684818", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/next-frontier-crypto-payments-already-inside-your-pocket/", "title": "The Next Frontier of Crypto Payments Is Already in Your Pocket", "content_html": "For years, the cryptocurrency space has battled allegations that its ecosystem can come across as abstract and inaccessible to the everyday end-user.
\nWhile blockchain payment and financial solutions can promise decentralization and ownership, they frequently suffer from clunky user experiences and steep onboarding curves.
\nAdam Lowe, PhD, chief product and innovation officer at CompoSecure, told PYMNTS that what the sector needs is a \u201ctangible crossover point\u201d that allows users to spend their crypto in the real world with the same ease as fiat while still benefiting from the sovereignty and programmability of Web3 assets.
\nCompoSecure and crypto wallet MetaMask have joined forces to launch a new metal payment card designed to do just that, he said.
\nThe new offering, powered by CompoSecure\u2019s Arculus tap-to-authenticate technology, serves three primary functions: a traditional payments card; a secure authentication device; and a crypto wallet interface. The ability to spend stablecoins directly from a self-custodied wallet marks a shift from earlier crypto cards, which typically required centralized custodians to hold user funds.
\n\u201cWhat\u2019s really important is that first scenario,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cI\u2019m tapping to pay at my favorite coffee shop as just a Mastercard\u2026 I\u2019m spending my crypto out of my self-custody. That\u2019s typically a stablecoin. The stablecoin goes from your wallet to the Mastercard network and eventually to the merchant.\u201d
\nThe target demographic for the MetaMask card is crypto-native users \u2014 those who understand and prefer self-custody of digital assets.
\nThis ethos of control is central to the value proposition. With the MetaMask card, users retain their private keys, dictate their spending, and manage their on-chain interactions directly \u2014 without depending on third-party intermediaries.
\n\u201cMost of their assets are with themselves versus a centralized custodian,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cIt\u2019s much more like cash in your pocket.\u201d
\nFor these users, the appeal is philosophical and practical.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s like global Web3 Johnny Walker,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cYou have a whole bunch of assets in your pocket. You can travel the globe, spend them anywhere you want, turn them into anything you want \u2014 permissionlessly.\u201d
\nLowe said he is confident that 2025 will be \u201cthe year of stablecoins, the year of Web3 payments.\u201d That optimism isn\u2019t unfounded. Regulatory clarity around stablecoins in the United States is increasing, and political sentiment is trending toward support for crypto-based financial innovation.
\n\u201cLegislation and political tone have made it much more friendly for the space,\u201d he said.
\nThe growing stability is also attracting attention from other issuers.
\n\u201cOn the day [the MetaMask card] launched at ETHDenver, the sign-up broke because it was so popular,\u201d Lowe said.
\nThe card is more than just another crypto debit card, Lowe said. It represents a strategic alignment of technology, regulation and consumer behavior. For a space in need of a bridge to the real world, that kind of tangibility might just be the thing that takes crypto payments mainstream.
\nBeyond day-to-day usability, the card opens new dimensions in rewards and loyalty programs. Because all transactions are posted to chain in real time, Lowe said he envisions a future where loyalty is gamified and automated.
\n\u201cThe issuer or platform can instantly mint an NFT, you can gamify the purchase \u2014 and it can all be automated and real time,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, you have that tradability aspect, that gamification aspect. For the consumer, there\u2019s also the opportunity for staking and yield.\u201d
\nYield underscores a growing trend in crypto: capital efficiency.
\n\u201cIf you have a dollar in your wallet, in your pocket, it\u2019s not doing anything for you,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cIf you have a dollar in a yield-bearing stablecoin, every moment it\u2019s earning you 4%-plus yield.\u201d
\nThis creates an incentive for consumers to keep their assets in a digital, decentralized form, and products like the MetaMask and CompoSecure card with Arculus technology make it easy to use those assets in the real world, he said.
\nAt the same time, CompoSecure is actively testing direct on-chain payments, which would bypass traditional rails altogether. The goal is to enable the same simplicity and ubiquity of tap-to-pay while maintaining the flexibility and efficiency of blockchain settlements.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t directly work paying on-chain,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cThe stablecoin goes directly to a merchant wallet. We skip everything in the middle.\u201d
\nIn cases where a merchant prefers fiat, Lowe said the solution can handle real-time asset conversion.
\n\u201cWe flip it to something they\u2019ll accept, or even a stablecoin, off-ramp it, and do a once-daily wire,\u201d he said. \u201cAgain, cut out middlemen.\u201d
\nUltimately, he added, \u201cconsumer choice is everything. This innovation allows you to stay in the self-custody realm and still spend your assets wherever you want.\u201d
\nThe post The Next Frontier of Crypto Payments Is Already in Your Pocket appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "For years, the cryptocurrency space has battled allegations that its ecosystem can come across as abstract and inaccessible to the everyday end-user.\nWhile blockchain payment and financial solutions can promise decentralization and ownership, they frequently suffer from clunky user experiences and steep onboarding curves.\nAdam Lowe, PhD, chief product and innovation officer at CompoSecure, told PYMNTS that what the sector needs is a \u201ctangible crossover point\u201d that allows users to spend their crypto in the real world with the same ease as fiat while still benefiting from the sovereignty and programmability of Web3 assets.\nCompoSecure and crypto wallet MetaMask have joined forces to launch a new metal payment card designed to do just that, he said.\nThe new offering, powered by CompoSecure\u2019s Arculus tap-to-authenticate technology, serves three primary functions: a traditional payments card; a secure authentication device; and a crypto wallet interface. The ability to spend stablecoins directly from a self-custodied wallet marks a shift from earlier crypto cards, which typically required centralized custodians to hold user funds.\n\u201cWhat\u2019s really important is that first scenario,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cI\u2019m tapping to pay at my favorite coffee shop as just a Mastercard\u2026 I\u2019m spending my crypto out of my self-custody. That\u2019s typically a stablecoin. The stablecoin goes from your wallet to the Mastercard network and eventually to the merchant.\u201d\nThe Crypto Landscape Exists at the Intersection of Regulation and Readiness\nThe target demographic for the MetaMask card is crypto-native users \u2014 those who understand and prefer self-custody of digital assets.\nThis ethos of control is central to the value proposition. With the MetaMask card, users retain their private keys, dictate their spending, and manage their on-chain interactions directly \u2014 without depending on third-party intermediaries.\n\u201cMost of their assets are with themselves versus a centralized custodian,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cIt\u2019s much more like cash in your pocket.\u201d\nFor these users, the appeal is philosophical and practical.\n\u201cIt\u2019s like global Web3 Johnny Walker,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cYou have a whole bunch of assets in your pocket. You can travel the globe, spend them anywhere you want, turn them into anything you want \u2014 permissionlessly.\u201d\nLowe said he is confident that 2025 will be \u201cthe year of stablecoins, the year of Web3 payments.\u201d That optimism isn\u2019t unfounded. Regulatory clarity around stablecoins in the United States is increasing, and political sentiment is trending toward support for crypto-based financial innovation.\n\u201cLegislation and political tone have made it much more friendly for the space,\u201d he said.\nThe growing stability is also attracting attention from other issuers.\n\u201cOn the day [the MetaMask card] launched at ETHDenver, the sign-up broke because it was so popular,\u201d Lowe said.\nA Crypto Card That\u2019s Useful\nThe card is more than just another crypto debit card, Lowe said. It represents a strategic alignment of technology, regulation and consumer behavior. For a space in need of a bridge to the real world, that kind of tangibility might just be the thing that takes crypto payments mainstream.\nBeyond day-to-day usability, the card opens new dimensions in rewards and loyalty programs. Because all transactions are posted to chain in real time, Lowe said he envisions a future where loyalty is gamified and automated.\n\u201cThe issuer or platform can instantly mint an NFT, you can gamify the purchase \u2014 and it can all be automated and real time,\u201d he said. \u201cSo, you have that tradability aspect, that gamification aspect. For the consumer, there\u2019s also the opportunity for staking and yield.\u201d\nYield underscores a growing trend in crypto: capital efficiency.\n\u201cIf you have a dollar in your wallet, in your pocket, it\u2019s not doing anything for you,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cIf you have a dollar in a yield-bearing stablecoin, every moment it\u2019s earning you 4%-plus yield.\u201d\nThis creates an incentive for consumers to keep their assets in a digital, decentralized form, and products like the MetaMask and CompoSecure card with Arculus technology make it easy to use those assets in the real world, he said.\nAt the same time, CompoSecure is actively testing direct on-chain payments, which would bypass traditional rails altogether. The goal is to enable the same simplicity and ubiquity of tap-to-pay while maintaining the flexibility and efficiency of blockchain settlements.\n\u201cThere\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t directly work paying on-chain,\u201d Lowe said. \u201cThe stablecoin goes directly to a merchant wallet. We skip everything in the middle.\u201d\nIn cases where a merchant prefers fiat, Lowe said the solution can handle real-time asset conversion.\n\u201cWe flip it to something they\u2019ll accept, or even a stablecoin, off-ramp it, and do a once-daily wire,\u201d he said. \u201cAgain, cut out middlemen.\u201d\nUltimately, he added, \u201cconsumer choice is everything. This innovation allows you to stay in the self-custody realm and still spend your assets wherever you want.\u201d\nThe post The Next Frontier of Crypto Payments Is Already in Your Pocket appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-16T04:03:40-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-15T22:54:32-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/crypto-wallet-SB1-overlay.jpg", "tags": [ "Adam Lowe", "Arculus", "authentication", "Bitcoin", "Blockchain", "CompoSecure", "Cryptocurrency", "debit", "debit cards", "digital assets", "digital currency", "digital wallets", "Featured News", "loyalty rewards", "MetaMask", "Mobile Wallets", "News", "PYMNTS News", "pymnts tv", "regulations", "stablecoins", "video" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2685400", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/3-things-payment-stakeholders-can-all-agree-on-about-stablecoins/", "title": "3 Things Payment Stakeholders Can All Agree On About Stablecoins", "content_html": "The payments industry is no stranger to disruption. But it has long had the same strategy for it: rely on the key foundations of trust, transparency and interoperability.
\nThat framework is increasingly being brought to bear on stablecoins, the fiat-pegged digital assets that are emerging as the potential killer app for blockchains in 2025. Despite their initial skepticism of digital assets, banks and fintechs are now exploring stablecoins not just as a curiosity but as a strategic opportunity.
\nWith the news this week that Visa is reportedly joining the\u00a0Global Dollar Network (USDG) stablecoin consortium, it\u2019s becoming more clear that the rails beneath the payment experience are evolving amid a broader shift among payment incumbents and end-users alike.
\nSome of the world\u2019s biggest players in finance and payments are moving from skepticism to engagement, guided by a set of evolving priorities designed to balance innovation with institutional-grade rigor.
\nWhile opinions can diverge on regulation and implementation, the triad of trust, transparency and interoperability appear to be three key things the payment landscape seems to agree on when it comes to how financial institutions engage with the digital economy.
\nRead also: Why Stablecoins Are Stuck at the Acceptance Hurdle
\nStablecoins represent the first category of digital assets that traditional financial institutions are beginning to align with, but the first hurdle to institutional adoption has always been compliance. Financial institutions operate under tight regulatory scrutiny, and any stablecoin they touch must offer clarity around know your customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML) and transaction monitoring.
\nFor stablecoin issuers, this can include tactics such as embedding on-chain identity verification mechanisms, providing standardized audit procedures and building out jurisdiction-specific compliance models that mirror the rigor of traditional banking.
\nTrust also begins with transparency around reserve composition. After the collapse of TerraUSD in 2022, the market learned that algorithmic stability models are fragile.\u00a0Institutional interest today is more so focused on fully reserved stablecoins, where every digital dollar is backed by a real-world dollar or liquid asset.
\nThat transparency is crucial. The PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cBlockchain\u2019s Benefits for Regulated Industries\u201d found that blockchain technology has numerous potential benefits to serve the unique needs of regulated industries, including finance.
\nSee more: The CFO and Treasurer\u2019s Guide to Digital Assets
\nOf course, while stablecoins have started to decouple themselves from crypto exchanges and position themselves as a component of real-world financial infrastructure, as PYMNTS reported in March, they are still without a comprehensive federal-level framework in the U.S.
\nThe U.S. Congress has floated a half-dozen bills on stablecoin oversight, but none have passed. This leaves nearly everyone in the payments ecosystem, from DeFi founders to Wall Street executives, playing the same waiting game: what will U.S. regulation look like?
\nAnd while that uncertainty hasn\u2019t stopped FinTech companies, including Visa, PayPal, Revolut and Stripe, from\u00a0exploring stablecoin integrations to enhance their cross-border payment services, it has given other ecosystem stakeholders pause.
\nThe creation of a federal framework governing stablecoins is\u00a0important for industry confidence, Chainalysis Co-founder and CEO\u00a0Jonathan Levin said in an interview with PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster published Monday (April 7). \u201cWithout a federal framework, it is incredibly difficult for financial services firms and international enterprises to really get comfortable in using stablecoins at scale,\u201d Levin said.
\nNo serious player wants to operate in the gray area, after all.
\nUltimately, if stablecoins are to reach their potential in payments, they must move seamlessly across platforms, network and use cases. For this to happen, partnerships between FinTechs, banks, regulators and tech providers will be crucial. That\u2019s a tall order.
\nToday\u2019s stablecoin landscape is fragmented \u2014 not just by issuer or blockchain, but by standards, custodians and programming models. It\u2019s reminiscent of the early days of mobile payments before QR code standards or NFC norms emerged.\u00a0
\nStablecoins are a bridge technology. They tie today\u2019s financial world to a programmable, decentralized future without blowing up the foundations. And while debates about monetary sovereignty, decentralization and privacy will (and should) continue, the payments industry is finding a rare kind of consensus: Stablecoins are here to stay, but their success depends on compliance, interoperability and institutional adoption.\u00a0
\nThe post 3 Things Payment Stakeholders Can All Agree On About Stablecoins appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "The payments industry is no stranger to disruption. But it has long had the same strategy for it: rely on the key foundations of trust, transparency and interoperability.\nThat framework is increasingly being brought to bear on stablecoins, the fiat-pegged digital assets that are emerging as the potential killer app for blockchains in 2025. Despite their initial skepticism of digital assets, banks and fintechs are now exploring stablecoins not just as a curiosity but as a strategic opportunity. \nWith the news this week that Visa is reportedly joining the\u00a0Global Dollar Network (USDG) stablecoin consortium, it\u2019s becoming more clear that the rails beneath the payment experience are evolving amid a broader shift among payment incumbents and end-users alike.\nSome of the world\u2019s biggest players in finance and payments are moving from skepticism to engagement, guided by a set of evolving priorities designed to balance innovation with institutional-grade rigor. \nWhile opinions can diverge on regulation and implementation, the triad of trust, transparency and interoperability appear to be three key things the payment landscape seems to agree on when it comes to how financial institutions engage with the digital economy. \nRead also: Why Stablecoins Are Stuck at the Acceptance Hurdle\nStablecoins Eye Transition from Speculation to Infrastructure\nStablecoins represent the first category of digital assets that traditional financial institutions are beginning to align with, but the first hurdle to institutional adoption has always been compliance. Financial institutions operate under tight regulatory scrutiny, and any stablecoin they touch must offer clarity around know your customer (KYC), anti-money laundering (AML) and transaction monitoring.\nFor stablecoin issuers, this can include tactics such as embedding on-chain identity verification mechanisms, providing standardized audit procedures and building out jurisdiction-specific compliance models that mirror the rigor of traditional banking.\nTrust also begins with transparency around reserve composition. After the collapse of TerraUSD in 2022, the market learned that algorithmic stability models are fragile.\u00a0Institutional interest today is more so focused on fully reserved stablecoins, where every digital dollar is backed by a real-world dollar or liquid asset.\nThat transparency is crucial. The PYMNTS Intelligence report \u201cBlockchain\u2019s Benefits for Regulated Industries\u201d found that blockchain technology has numerous potential benefits to serve the unique needs of regulated industries, including finance.\nSee more: The CFO and Treasurer\u2019s Guide to Digital Assets\nCompliance and Regulation a Double-Edged Sword\nOf course, while stablecoins have started to decouple themselves from crypto exchanges and position themselves as a component of real-world financial infrastructure, as PYMNTS reported in March, they are still without a comprehensive federal-level framework in the U.S. \nThe U.S. Congress has floated a half-dozen bills on stablecoin oversight, but none have passed. This leaves nearly everyone in the payments ecosystem, from DeFi founders to Wall Street executives, playing the same waiting game: what will U.S. regulation look like?\nAnd while that uncertainty hasn\u2019t stopped FinTech companies, including Visa, PayPal, Revolut and Stripe, from\u00a0exploring stablecoin integrations to enhance their cross-border payment services, it has given other ecosystem stakeholders pause.\nThe creation of a federal framework governing stablecoins is\u00a0important for industry confidence, Chainalysis Co-founder and CEO\u00a0Jonathan Levin said in an interview with PYMNTS CEO Karen Webster published Monday (April 7). \u201cWithout a federal framework, it is incredibly difficult for financial services firms and international enterprises to really get comfortable in using stablecoins at scale,\u201d Levin said. \nNo serious player wants to operate in the gray area, after all. \nUltimately, if stablecoins are to reach their potential in payments, they must move seamlessly across platforms, network and use cases. For this to happen, partnerships between FinTechs, banks, regulators and tech providers will be crucial. That\u2019s a tall order. \nToday\u2019s stablecoin landscape is fragmented \u2014 not just by issuer or blockchain, but by standards, custodians and programming models. It\u2019s reminiscent of the early days of mobile payments before QR code standards or NFC norms emerged.\u00a0\nStablecoins are a bridge technology. They tie today\u2019s financial world to a programmable, decentralized future without blowing up the foundations. And while debates about monetary sovereignty, decentralization and privacy will (and should) continue, the payments industry is finding a rare kind of consensus: Stablecoins are here to stay, but their success depends on compliance, interoperability and institutional adoption.\u00a0\nThe post 3 Things Payment Stakeholders Can All Agree On About Stablecoins appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2025-04-15T19:00:45-04:00", "date_modified": "2025-04-15T19:00:45-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/679fcf5c2ed5358e99e8e23b22e3b5d761e37bdb76fa7b0e13d8ecd9ff01bf88?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/stablecoins-payment-methods-digital-transformation.jpg", "tags": [ "Blockchain", "crypto", "Cryptocurrency", "decentralized finance", "DeFi", "digital transformation", "News", "Payment Methods", "payment rails", "payments innovation", "PYMNTS News", "stablecoins" ] } ] }