SoFi has become the first U.S. bank to utilize Bitcoin's Lightning Network for remittances, aiming to offer lower costs and 24/7 availability for its 11.7 million users. This move enters a competitive global remittance market valued at $740.5 billion. Other firms like Coinbase and Nubank have also begun adopting similar technologies.

Stablecoins are gaining traction as a payment option, especially for cross-border transactions, following the signing of the Genius Act by President Trump. Their growing adoption is driven by potential cost savings for merchants and regulatory support, although challenges remain regarding consumer familiarity and the need for standardization among different stablecoins. Experts predict that stablecoins could become more common in everyday transactions in the near future.