Mastercard and BVNK have launched the “Global Money Platform,” an initiative designed to bring traditional fiat currencies and stablecoins closer together. The partnership highlights the growing push to connect blockchain-based payments with established financial infrastructure, making it easier for money to move between conventional and digital-asset systems. As stablecoins gain traction in cross-border payments and business transactions, connecting them to familiar payment networks could help reduce friction for users and institutions. The launch is another sign that major payments companies are moving beyond experimentation toward integrating stablecoins into real-world financial services.
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Stablecoin Cards: The Infrastructure Race for the Next $100 Billion
How stablecoin cards are turning a crypto-native asset into a mainstream payments rail.
A cardholder taps $5 at a coffee shop. During the ~400 milliseconds before the terminal confirms the transaction, the issuer processor must answer one simple question: does this account have sufficient funds?
Modern issuer processors such as Marqeta and Galileo answer it easily when the balance sits in fiat on a traditional ledger. They cannot answer it when the balance sits in stablecoins such as USDC, outside the systems they were built to read. Companies like Rain and Reap built that capability for new stablecoin card programs and already process billions annually.
This article maps the stablecoin card market as it stands, examines where the next $100 billion of volume comes from, and looks at the infrastructure that will carry it.
Curated News
💳 Payments
Visa Direct Launches Stablecoin-Powered Money Movement as Pilots Move to Production
Visa Direct is advancing stablecoin-powered money movement, with pilots moving toward production. The development signals a shift from testing stablecoin use cases to implementing them within established payment infrastructure, potentially broadening options for faster cross-border transfers.
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J.P. Morgan Payments Powers Mercado Libre’s Global Selling Expansion
J.P. Morgan Payments is supporting Mercado Libre’s Global Selling expansion with payment capabilities designed for cross-border commerce. The collaboration highlights the role of payment infrastructure in helping merchants reach international customers and manage transactions across markets.
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Ethiopia’s Central Bank Joins African Payments System PAPSS
Ethiopia’s central bank has joined the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a regional initiative designed to facilitate cross-border payments within Africa. The move supports efforts to strengthen regional payment connectivity and make intra-African transactions easier.
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AI-Native Payments Platform Movere Launches
Movere has launched an AI-native payments platform, adding to the development of payment services built around artificial intelligence. The launch reflects growing interest in embedding AI into payment operations and financial workflows.
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🏦 Banking
Visa Secures China Card Business Green Light
Visa has secured a green light related to its card business in China, marking a significant step in its efforts to expand in the market. The development highlights the strategic importance of China for global payment networks and the role of local regulatory approval in market access.
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Kraken Parent Payward to Buy an EU-Licensed Bank
Payward, the parent company of Kraken, is set to acquire an EU-licensed bank, according to the report. The deal would mark a notable convergence of crypto and traditional banking, potentially giving the company a more direct presence within regulated European financial services.
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Iberdrola, BBVA and Santander Complete First Syndicated Financing Managed Entirely on Blockchain
Iberdrola, BBVA and Santander have delivered what they describe as the first syndicated financing managed entirely on blockchain. The transaction demonstrates how distributed-ledger technology is being applied to financial processes beyond crypto trading, including corporate financing.
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Starling Bank Claims First Banking AI Trained on UK Sovereign Cloud
Starling Bank says it is the first bank to train an AI model on a UK sovereign cloud. The initiative highlights the growing focus on combining AI innovation with data sovereignty and control over sensitive financial information.
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NatWest Improves AI Speech Recognition for UK Banking Customers with NVIDIA Nemotron
NatWest is improving speech recognition for UK banking customers using NVIDIA Nemotron technology. The project reflects banks’ efforts to apply AI to customer interactions and make voice-based services more effective.
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SBS Unveils Sovereign AI Platform for Core Banking
SBS has unveiled a sovereign AI platform for core banking, reflecting growing interest in AI infrastructure designed for financial institutions. The approach emphasizes the need to integrate advanced technology while accounting for the data-control and security requirements of banking.
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💼 Fintech
PEX Brings AI-Powered Finance Workflows to ChatGPT and Claude
PEX is bringing AI-powered finance workflows to ChatGPT and Claude, expanding how finance teams can interact with AI assistants. The move reflects a broader shift toward integrating financial tasks into conversational tools rather than relying solely on separate software interfaces.
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JPMorgan Is Blocking Outside AI Agents from Accessing Customer Accounts
JPMorgan is blocking external AI agents from accessing customer accounts, according to the report. The decision highlights emerging concerns around security, privacy and control as third-party AI agents gain the ability to interact with digital services.
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Matters Emerges from Stealth with $5 Million in Pre-Seed Funding to Build an AI-Native Consumer Bank
Matters has emerged from stealth with $5 million in pre-seed funding to build an AI-native consumer bank. The raise highlights investor interest in financial services designed around AI from the outset rather than adding the technology to legacy banking models.
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Ramp Reportedly Hits $60 Billion Valuation in $1.85 Billion Funding Round
Ramp has reportedly reached a $60 billion valuation in a $1.85 billion funding round. The reported valuation underscores investor appetite for financial technology companies serving business finance and expense-management needs.
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London Stock Exchange in £2.6 Billion US Shadow Banking Push
The London Stock Exchange is pursuing a reported £2.6 billion move tied to the US shadow-banking market. The development points to the continued strategic value of financial data and services connected to non-bank lending and credit markets.
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📈 WealthTech
MIAX Announces Bloomberg Equity Index Futures Now Available on NinjaTrader
MIAX has announced that Bloomberg equity index futures are now available on NinjaTrader. The addition expands access to index-linked trading products through the platform and gives market participants another route to trade these contracts.
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Lack of Financial Confidence Is Driving Consumers to AI Assistants
New findings suggest that a lack of financial confidence is pushing consumers toward AI assistants for help with financial questions. The trend points to an opportunity for digital financial tools, while also raising questions about the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated guidance.
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⚖️ Regulation
Bank of England and IMF Leaders Warn of Cyber Threat to Trust in Financial System
Leaders from the Bank of England and the International Monetary Fund have warned that cyber threats could undermine trust in the financial system. The warning reinforces the importance of cybersecurity and resilience as financial services become more dependent on interconnected digital infrastructure.
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Spanish Banks Report 150% Spike in Fraud
Spanish banks are reporting a 150% increase in fraud, according to the report. The rise highlights the ongoing challenges financial institutions face in detecting suspicious activity and protecting customers against increasingly complex fraud methods.
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🪙 Crypto
Bitcoin Tests $81,000 as Rate-Hike Fears Linger After Hot Inflation Data
Bitcoin has tested the $81,000 level as concerns about interest-rate increases persist following hotter inflation data. The market reaction illustrates how macroeconomic developments and expectations for monetary policy can influence crypto prices.
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Bitcoin Whipsaws as Crypto Liquidations Near $1 Billion
Bitcoin has experienced sharp price swings as crypto liquidations approached $1 billion. The episode highlights the risks associated with leveraged positions, where rapid price movements can trigger forced selling and amplify market volatility.
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