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Saved February 14, 2026
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The article discusses USV's investment thesis on the decline of credit card interchange fees, exploring the potential of stablecoins and bank-to-bank payments. It highlights the vulnerabilities of the current credit card system and emphasizes the importance of structured, thesis-driven investing.
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The article outlines a shift in the payments landscape, emphasizing the decline of the credit card interchange fee model. The author notes that interchange fees, typically 2-3% per transaction, are under threat from emerging technologies like stablecoins and bank-to-bank direct payments. These developments could drastically reduce transaction costs, which would benefit merchants and consumers alike. The author highlights several innovative solutions, including Pay by Bank platforms and systems integrating cryptographic identity layers to enhance security.
A key point is the ongoing investment thesis at Union Square Ventures (USV), dubbed "The End of Interchange." Since 2013, USV has focused on investments that align with this thesis, tracking the evolution of payment systems and the potential for stablecoins to disrupt traditional models. The firm utilizes Notion AI to maintain a dynamic overview of their investments and relevant market developments, ensuring they remain proactive in identifying promising startups in this space.
The article raises critical questions about the future of payments. Will stablecoin networks prevail, or will retrofitted ACH systems dominate? How will issues of fraud and transaction reversibility be managed? These questions shape USV's strategy, pushing them toward a more structured approach to investment grounded in data analysis and emerging trends. This evolution reflects a broader trend in venture capital towards data-driven decision-making, making it easier to adapt to rapid changes in technology and market demands.
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