The article discusses the anticipated growth of crypto firms in the banking sector as they seek national charters and integrate blockchain technology. It highlights the development of AI-driven payments and the potential for a significant shift in the financial landscape in 2026.

Cross River Bank has introduced a platform that combines stablecoin and fiat transactions in one system, allowing companies to move money efficiently across different networks. This service aims to simplify operations and enhance compliance for fintechs and businesses dealing with digital assets.

Western Union plans to introduce its own stablecoin, USDPT, in partnership with Anchorage Digital on the Solana blockchain. This move aims to enhance cross-border payments and compete with rapidly growing fintechs. The stablecoin is expected to benefit remittance receivers in unstable economies.

Goldman Sachs is negotiating with potential partners to separate its blockchain technology platform, GS DOS. The firm has been involved in significant distributed ledger technology initiatives, including recent pilot tests on the Canton Network with other major financial institutions.

JP Morgan and Block (Cash App) are advancing stablecoin adoption, with JP Morgan introducing the JPM Coin on the Base network for institutional clients and Cash App planning USDC transfers on Solana by 2026. This shift highlights a growing trend of financial institutions embracing public blockchain networks for faster and more efficient digital dollar transactions.

This article discusses how onchain credit protocols and stablecoins could revolutionize unsecured lending. By using programmable money and real-time funding, the traditional credit card system can be improved, enabling better capital allocation and transparency. The piece also highlights the need for new credit scoring methods and infrastructure to support this shift.

JPMorgan's clients can now exchange JPMorgan Deposit (JPMD) for USDC on the Base platform, enhancing on-chain transactions. Meanwhile, Alipay is launching a EURO stablecoin, leveraging its extensive user base and existing tokenized foreign exchange services. Both developments mark significant shifts in the stablecoin landscape.

The article discusses the evolution of stablecoins and their impact on financial services. It highlights lessons learned from failures like Synapse and emphasizes the advantages of stablecoins in providing global reach, transparency, and agentic finance. The author urges the industry to innovate beyond traditional fintech models.

Dougie DeLuca argues that the era of crypto as a distinct industry is over. He believes that for blockchain technology to thrive, it must integrate into broader applications, serving everyday users rather than just crypto enthusiasts. This shift requires a focus on real-world utility over niche crypto-centric culture.

Tokenization is rapidly transforming capital markets, with over $24 billion in real-world assets now on public blockchains, driven by major players like Robinhood and BlackRock. The shift toward onchain infrastructure is allowing fintechs and corporations to streamline processes, reduce reliance on traditional financial intermediaries, and enhance global liquidity. However, challenges remain regarding full ownership rights and the integration of onchain assets with offchain constructs.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced the creation of a digital assets advisory council aimed at fostering fintech job growth and exploring innovative solutions for city services, such as using blockchain for vital records. The council will consist of industry experts, with a chair to be named soon, and reflects the city's commitment to embracing technology for the benefit of its residents.

The article discusses the trend of tokenizing stocks within the fintech sector, highlighting its potential to revolutionize asset ownership and trading. It emphasizes the benefits of increased accessibility and liquidity for investors, as well as the implications for traditional stock markets. The piece also touches on the growing interest in blockchain technology as a driving force behind these developments.

Home equity loan company Figure is targeting a $4.13 billion valuation for its upcoming IPO, seeking to raise up to $526 million. The company, which uses blockchain technology for home equity loans, plans to issue 21.46 million shares priced between $18 and $20 each, with major underwriters including Goldman Sachs and Jefferies. Founded in 2018, Figure has reported significant revenue growth and has funded $17 billion in loans across the U.S. since its inception.

The emergence of Fintech 3.0 is paving the way for a new financial system built on blockchain technology, characterized by instant payments, digital asset control, and regulatory clarity following the GENIUS Act. With the success of stablecoins and the potential for tokenization of various assets, there is a significant opportunity for startups to innovate and build onchain solutions. YC and Coinbase Ventures are eager to support and fund projects that leverage this evolving infrastructure.

Fidelity offers opportunities to build a career in the cryptocurrency sector, leveraging its long-standing history of fintech innovation. The company is actively hiring across various roles in digital assets and blockchain, emphasizing a culture of innovation and stability.

Wen Acquisition, a SPAC focused on fintech and blockchain, has filed with the SEC to raise $261 million through an IPO by offering 26.1 million units at $10 each. Led by CEO Julian Sevillano, the company aims to invest in infrastructure firms that integrate blockchain with traditional financial systems and plans to list on Nasdaq under the symbol WENNU.

Ant Digital Technologies hosted the RWA REAL UP Dubai Summit 2025, unveiling its Layer 2 blockchain solution, Jovay, aimed at enhancing funding for Real-World Assets (RWA) and facilitating global liquidity. With its new headquarters in Hong Kong, the company is leveraging Dubai as a strategic hub for fintech innovation, particularly in AI and blockchain technologies, to unlock investment opportunities in renewable energy and digital assets.

Payments companies like Circle and Stripe are creating their own infrastructure, akin to AWS for payments, to address the limitations of existing systems. This shift towards payment-native chains is driven by the need for a more efficient and scalable payment processing environment, leveraging stablecoins and tokenized deposits to enhance compatibility with traditional finance. The article explores the implications of this evolution and the potential for significant changes in how payments are processed and managed.

Rain has partnered with Visa to join a pilot program for stablecoin settlement, enabling onchain credit card transactions to settle in USDC year-round. This collaboration allows for more efficient capital management and enhances the utility of stablecoins in global payments, while also introducing innovative financing solutions for credit card receivables. Rain aims to integrate blockchain technology with traditional financial systems, improving payment accessibility and operational efficiency.

Stripe's new corporate blockchain, Tempo, aims to succeed where Meta's Libra faltered by leveraging better timing and insights from past mistakes. However, the article argues that the fundamental issues of centralization and control may still plague Tempo, risking it becoming just another iteration of existing financial systems rather than a true innovation. The future of Tempo challenges the crypto ideal of decentralization and poses questions about the implications of corporate-led financial networks.

Blockchain lender Figure Technology Solutions Inc. is set to go public this month, aiming to raise up to $526 million in an IPO that could value the company at $4.13 billion. Founded in 2018, Figure has expanded its offerings beyond home equity loans to include crypto-backed loans and is leveraging AI for loan evaluations, reporting significant revenue growth in recent months.

Bolt has introduced stablecoin payments to enhance cross-border commerce for merchants and consumers, offering faster settlements and lower transaction fees. This initiative, part of Bolt Connect, aims to simplify the payment process for digital marketplaces and aligns with a growing trend among global payment firms to adopt stablecoins amidst increasing regulatory support in the U.S.

Stripe has appointed Matt Huang as the CEO of its new blockchain project, Tempo, aiming to enhance cryptocurrency infrastructure. Huang's experience in venture capital and fintech positions him to lead the project in integrating key crypto components and advancing Stripe's digital payment solutions. This move emphasizes the growing intersection of fintech and blockchain technologies.

Stripe is developing a new blockchain called Tempo, which focuses on payments and is being built in collaboration with Paradigm. This layer 1 blockchain aims to enhance Stripe's capabilities in the growing stablecoin market, following recent acquisitions that strengthen its crypto infrastructure. The job posting for a marketing position related to Tempo has since been removed after inquiries from Fortune.

Bleap has formed a strategic partnership with Mastercard to integrate stablecoin payments into traditional financial systems, allowing wallet providers to connect directly to Mastercard's network. Founded by ex-Revolut employees, Bleap aims to simplify access to decentralized finance and has already processed over $5 million in transactions since its beta launch.

Open Issuance is a new platform from Bridge that enables businesses to launch and manage their own stablecoins, providing control over product experience and economics without relying on external issuers. It supports customization and interoperability with other stablecoins, facilitating liquidity and reducing costs for businesses. Phantom, a crypto wallet, is the first to utilize this platform for its new stablecoin, CASH.

Figure Technology Solutions is set to debut on the Nasdaq with an IPO, raising $787.5 million at a share price of $25. Co-founder Mike Cagney discusses the company's blockchain model for transforming capital markets, its financial success, and the potential impact of regulatory changes on the stablecoin industry.