A report by Australian crypto exchange Swyftx estimates that AI-native freelance workers could drive $262 billion in stablecoin transaction volume by 2033, as microbusinesses adopt AI and seek efficient cross-border payment solutions.
Crypto exchange CoinMENA has partnered with Standard Chartered in the UAE to enhance fiat payment infrastructure, supporting on- and off-ramps and transaction management. This move aligns with the UAE's growing digital asset sector and increasing institutional participation.
Coinbase's Base network has seen over 100 million agentic payment transactions via the x402 protocol, indicating a shift from proof-of-concept to practical use for machine-to-machine payments, with increasing transaction values suggesting a move beyond micropayments.
Movement, a Move-based blockchain network, announced it has gained access to licensed payment rails across the US, Canada, and EU. This move aims to enhance its cross-border payment offerings, connecting traditional banking with stablecoin settlement networks, particularly for emerging markets.
Georgia and Tether are partnering to launch GEL₮, a stablecoin representing the Georgian lari, aiming to enhance transaction speed, reduce costs, and support programmable payments. The initiative seeks to integrate national currency value onto private stablecoin rails, drawing parallels with emerging U.S. stablecoin regulations like the GENIUS Act.
AI agents have settled $73 million across 176 million transactions in the past year, highlighting the limitations of traditional payment systems for microtransactions. USDC is the dominant settlement asset, raising concerns about systemic risk due to over-reliance on a single issuer.
Anchorage’s new product enables AI agents to have compliant access to capital across traditional finance and crypto payment rails.
Brazil's central bank has published Resolution BCB No. 561, prohibiting virtual assets in cross-border eFX payments. The rule requires payments between eFX providers and foreign counterparties to use only foreign exchange transactions or non-resident Brazilian real accounts. The restriction applies to eFX providers not yet approved, who must apply for authorization by May 31, 2027. The resolution does not ban crypto transfers outright but closes the regulated eFX channel to crypto and stablecoins, addressing concerns that 90% of crypto flows are linked to stablecoins.
