Kakao Group, including Kakao Pay and Kakao Bank, signed an MOU with Circle Internet Group to explore won-backed stablecoin payments and cross-border remittances in South Korea, anticipating upcoming crypto regulations.
Cryptocurrency wallet company Exodus announced a 25% workforce reduction to restructure its cost base and align with its strategy to build a full-stack card issuance and payments platform. This follows recent acquisitions and is projected to yield $10M-$13M in annual savings by 2027, with $2.5M-$3.5M in pre-tax charges.
Visa has launched its Stablecoin Platform (VSP) for banks, fintechs, and payment providers, enabling them to issue, hold, and transfer stablecoins through its network. The platform supports Open USD, Circle's USDC, and Paxos' USDG, and is entering a beta phase with select customers before a wider rollout.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree to regulate the digital asset market, introducing rules for stablecoin payments in cross-border trade, tax incentives for regulated crypto activity, and new energy options for digital mining, aiming to establish the country as a global crypto hub.
Binance is reportedly leading a funding round for Mesh, a crypto payments company, valuing it up to $2 billion. This move signals a shift in stablecoin competition from issuers to controlling payment routes, making tokenized dollars spendable off-exchange.
Investment firm Spiko has integrated Coinbase's stablecoin payment infrastructure into two EU Treasury-bill funds, enabling investors to use USDC and EURC for subscriptions and redemptions. This marks the first UCITS funds in Europe to accept direct stablecoin payments, offering 24/7 transaction capabilities.
Oobit has integrated its app with Brazil's Pix payment system, allowing users to spend supported crypto and stablecoins like USDT via a familiar domestic rail. This initiative aims to test if stablecoins can achieve daily payment adoption by leveraging existing user habits, with recipients receiving local currency.
Stablecore, in collaboration with Circuit and Curql, launched an early-access program for US credit unions to evaluate stablecoins and other blockchain-based financial services. The initiative allows participants to test digital asset services before integration, building on Stablecore's efforts to bring these services to US financial institutions.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong revealed an 8-point blueprint for upgrading global finance, focusing on tokenized assets, 24/7 trading, stablecoin payments, AI compliance, open access, capital formation, regulation, and sound money. The plan aligns with Coinbase's strategy to expand beyond crypto trading into a comprehensive financial platform.
The crypto wallet company pairs the XO Cash token with software tools that let AI agents transact using preset spending controls and stablecoin payments.
Kraken parent Payward agreed to buy Hong Kong-based Reap for up to $600 million, adding card issuance and stablecoin payment capabilities to its new B2B platform.
Polygon delivered its first block time reduction upgrade since genesis, as the network seeks to position for more high-frequency applications such as private stablecoin payments.
Kraken parent Payward agreed to buy Hong Kong-based Reap for up to $600 million, adding card issuance and stablecoin payment capabilities to its new B2B platform.
Solana’s new service lets AI agents pay for Google Cloud and community APIs on a per-request basis, bypassing traditional accounts.
The new wallet feature hides senders, receivers and amounts onchain while maintaining compliance through know your transaction screening and auditable files.
Bakkt announced the deal in January, which was originally for 9.3 million shares, along with a corporate name change to Bakkt Inc.
Circle Internet Group, operator of the world's second-largest stablecoin USDC, reports surging payments into Hong Kong on its Circle Payments Network. CEO Jeremy Allaire called Hong Kong one of the most popular cross-border settlement routes, describing the market as important and attractive. Circle hopes to see USDC approved as a foreign stablecoin in Hong Kong, having already partnered with OSL Group and signed an MOU with HKT.
Stablecoin payments company Kast hired former SEC Office of Public Affairs acting director Stephanie Allen as head of corporate and policy communications. The appointment follows Kast's $80 million funding round last month that valued the company at $600 million. Allen will work with senior leadership on policy and communications as Kast prepares to launch Kast Business and expand across North America, Latin America and the Middle East. The hire comes as stablecoin transfer volume dropped 19% to $8.31 trillion over the past month, while market cap rose 2.06% to $305.29 billion.
Shinhan Card signed a deal with Solana Foundation to expand stablecoin payment tests and explore non-custodial wallets and DeFi-based services.
DoorDash announced plans to integrate stablecoin payments through Tempo blockchain, allowing users, delivery drivers (dashers), and merchants to settle transactions using digital currency. The partnership aims to provide faster payouts, lower cross-border costs and greater transaction flexibility across more than 40 countries. DoorDash co-founder Andy Wang said faster, affordable payments for merchants and dashers would benefit the entire ecosystem.
