Visa and Bridge have partnered to launch a card-issuing product that enables cardholders to use their stablecoin balance to make purchases at any merchant location that accepts Visa. With this collaboration, FinTech developers using Bridge — a stablecoin orchestration platform owned by Stripe — can offer stablecoin-linked Visa cards to their end customers. This offering now enables the issuing of these card programs in six countries in Latin America: Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Chile. It will be expanded to countries in Europe, Africa and Asia in the coming months. “We’re focused on integrating stablecoins into Visa’s existing network and products in a frictionless and secure way,” Visa Chief Product and Strategy Officer Jack Forestell said. “Partnering with Bridge represents a significant move in helping to make stablecoins useable in everyday life, giving consumers more choice in how they manage and spend their money.” Bridge CEO and Co-Founder Zach Abrams said that this collaboration will enable anyone to use stablecoins with just a tap of the card with which they are already familiar. “This is a massive unlock for developers who can now build truly scalable issuing products for their users,” Abrams said.
Baanx has partnered with Visa to launch stablecoin payment cards tied to self-custodial wallets, enabling holders to spend USDC directly from their crypto wallet
Cryptocurrency debit card firm Baanx has partnered with Visa to launch stablecoin payment cards tied to self-custodial wallets, starting in the U.S. with Circle’s USDC dollar pegged token. The Visa cards enable holders to spend USDC directly from their crypto wallets, using smart contracts to move a stablecoin balance upon card authorization from the consumer to Baanx in real time, with Baanx converting the balance into fiat for payment. Allowing people to manage their money on-chain with the help of major card networks like Visa and Mastercard is a fast growing segment within crypto. Baanx is also working with Mastercard on a card linked to MetaMask wallets. The stablecoin payment space is also heating up thanks to Circle recently announcing its own payment network focused initially on cross-border payments and remittances. Baanx’s stablecoin-linked Visa cards promise a global reach with low-cost cross border payments in the mix. “In many regions, access to stable currency is a luxury. We’re giving people the ability to hold and spend USD-backed stablecoins seamlessly — in a self-custodial, real-time way — anywhere Visa is accepted. This is what the future of finance looks like,” said Simon Jones, chief commercial officer at Baanx.
Kraken debuts ‘Embed’ Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution to help banks offer crypto access
Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has introduced a solution to help financial institutions give clients access to crypto. Dubbed “Embed,” the company’s new Crypto-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution is designed for neobanks, FinTechs and traditional banks. “Kraken Embed significantly simplifies operational and infrastructure requirements, enabling financial institutions to make regulated crypto trading available to their customers without extensive in-house expertise in a matter of weeks,” the company said. “Using Kraken Embed, institutions benefit from the exchange’s proven market experience, robust liquidity and industry-leading infrastructure. Kraken says the launch of Embed aligns with global crypto adoption trends, especially in Europe, where market activity is being driven by the advent of regulations such as the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework. “Through Embed, Kraken is extending its deep expertise to institutions seeking a reliable, compliant and frictionless entrypoint into crypto,” Brett McLain, head of payments and blockchain at Kraken, said.
BlackRock to issue DLT shares in Treasury fund via BNY, to mirror share ownership on-chain
BlackRock recently filed a registration statement about plans for the issuance of DLT shares in its $143 billion Treasury Trust Fund (TTF). The shares will only be available via Bank of New York Mellon (BNY), which will use blockchain to mirror the share ownership on-chain. Institutional investors are the primary target with a minimum investment of $3 million, which is the same across the whole fund. While BlackRock has leaned into tokenization with its BUIDL tokenized treasury fund issued on permissionless blockchains via Securitize, the target market (for now) is primarily crypto institutions. Stablecoin and tokenized money market fund (MMF) issuers are the primary BUIDL token holders. By contrast, BNY Mellon primarily services mainstream traditional finance (TradFI) institutions as the world’s largest global custodian and a major tri-party agent. However, it also provides custody and cash management solutions for stablecoin issuer Circle, which is also now in the tokenized money market fund business following the acquisition of Hashnote. BNY Mellon’s focus on traditional financial institutions may shape its blockchain approach differently than BlackRock’s BUIDL initiative. One advantage of a more private solution, such as what BNY may be offering, is that an institution’s transactions are not publicly visible. At the same time, the recipient of the tokenized fund can verify the underlying assets using a new tool recently launched by BNY.
2025 Specialty Asset Management Outlook released by Bank of America says CRE investor confidence in the space is growing, signaled by rebalancing supply and demand, stabilizing valuations and increasing liquidity
Bank of America released a 2025 Specialty Asset Management (SAM) Outlook (PDF) on the market dynamics impacting commercial real estate (CRE), farmland, timberland and energy assets. The paper finds real assets play an increasingly important role in diversifying a portfolio as investors seek to position themselves for long-term wealth creation in a dynamic market. “Characteristics of real assets, such as generally being uncorrelated with traditional investments and serving as a hedge against inflation, are increasingly relevant in the current environment,” said Ken Shepard, SAM Executive at Bank of America Private Bank. “For well-informed, long-term investors, 2025 will be a good year to selectively build positions in certain real asset sectors.” The following themes are explored in the 2025 SAM Outlook:
- CRE demonstrates positive momentum: While CRE has weathered a range of challenges over the past few years, investor confidence in the space is growing, signaled by rebalancing supply and demand, stabilizing valuations and increasing liquidity.
- Farmland offers a pathway to stability and diversification: The 2025 crop year holds opportunity for knowledgeable investors as competitive pressures lessen and farmland values remain stable to slightly lower, allowing for more strategic maneuvering.
- Timberland bridges market uncertainties: Long-term investors with lower risk profiles in search of alternatives may find timberland an attractive investment, as biological growth is largely insulated from market cycles and geopolitical risk.
- Energy use increases globally: Myriad factors, including population growth, expanding manufacturing and rising living standards in emerging economies, have paved the way for increased energy usage. Looking ahead, the domestic energy supply will favor natural gas, renewables and other carbon-friendly sources.
Finastra has launched its Transformation Service, supporting the translation of MT formatted messages to the new ISO 20022 MX messaging standard
Finastra has launched its Transformation Service, supporting the translation of MT formatted messages to the new ISO 20022 MX messaging standard, among others. The Transformation Service is available to Finastra’s existing and new Financial Messaging customers looking to comply with Swift’s November 2025 deadline for the new cross-border payments and reporting plus (CBPR+) rules. Developed in response to customers’ needs, Finastra’s Transformation Service is extensible to a wide range of message standards. Whether for banks or other financial institutions adhering to mandated migrations or corporate customers needing multiple format translations, the service extends capabilities to meet diverse financial messaging requirements. Embedded as an API-based microservice within the Finastra Financial Messaging platform, the Transformation Service is available to customers running on a SaaS model through managed workflows. It’s also available as a consumable API via Finastra Financial Messaging’s new Self-Serve Portal, where users can access the microservice with a “try before you buy” feature. The service stays up to date with annual market infrastructure-driven message standard releases and offers flexible enrichment and message handling options to ensure a smooth transformation process. Radha Suvarna, Chief Product Officer, Payments at Finastr said, “Our Transformation Service will enable a smooth transition to MX messaging, maintaining operational continuity, and it provides flexibility for strategic planning of future system upgrades.”
Cross River’s new International Payments platform for businesses is rail-agnostic, dynamically selecting the most relevant payment rails based on transaction size, currency, and corridor
Cross River Bank launched its new International Payments solution, now processing transactions with Aion, a modern business finance platform designed to simplify financial management. Leveraging Cross River’s proprietary banking core, API technology, and industry-leading compliance and AML/CFT integrations, this new International Payments solution offers seamless, efficient, and cost-effective cross-border transactions for businesses. Cross River’s International Payments platform is rail-agnostic, dynamically selecting the most relevant payment rails based on transaction size, currency, and corridor. This ensures businesses and consumers benefit from faster processing times so consumers receive their money when and where they need it. “Our goal is to simplify cross-border payments by removing technical barriers that limit global scalability,” said Luca Cosentino, Head of Product at Cross River. “Our International Payments capability uses a flexible, rail-agnostic approach to enable fast, cost-effective, and secure transfers—whether through SWIFT or local bank rails. Aion, an early adopter in B2B and B2C use cases, enables businesses to modernize cross-border transactions Satish Palvai, Founder and CEO at Aion said, “With Cross River’s International Payments, we’re leveling the playing field by giving growing businesses access to the same speed and efficiency once reserved only for large enterprises.” With strict adherence to regulatory standards, Cross River’s International Payments platform integrates advanced AML tools and compliance solutions. Fully routable subledgers and detailed customer records allow businesses to monitor transactions on a sub-entity level, ensuring security and reliability.
Stripe Radar now protects ACH and SEPA payments from fraud- reporting a 42% reduction in SEPA fraud and a 20% reduction in ACH fraud
Stripe announced an expansion of Radar, Stripe’s AI-powered fraud prevention product, for ACH and SEPA payments. Radar assesses more than 1,000 characteristics of a potential transaction in order to determine, in less than 100 milliseconds, the likelihood that it’s fraudulent. On average, Radar users see a 42% reduction in SEPA fraud and a 20% reduction in ACH fraud. Ben Winfield, Radar product manager, wrote “Over the last year, we’ve seen a 40% increase in noncard payment volume on Stripe. Now, we’re extending Radar fraud protection to ACH and SEPA payments. We’ve applied the same AI architecture Radar uses for cards to new models that automatically screen and help block risky ACH and SEPA transactions.”
Walmart opens first new Supercenter in 4 years- incorporating interactive technology that combines virtual and in-person shopping
Walmart has opened a new Texas Supercenter, the first of its kind in four years. The store located in the Houston-area community of Cypress, is also the retail giant’s first new-construction “Store of the Future” in the U.S., and part of Walmart’s plan to build or convert more than 150 stores in the next several years. Later in the year, Walmart plans to open new Supercenters in Texas, Utah and California, and Neighborhood Market stores in Alabama and Florida. The company also plans to convert stores in California and New Jersey into Supercenters. Walmart announced in January of last year that it aims to construct or convert more than 150 stores and remodel 650 additional locations over the next five years. The new and remodeled stores are part of the company’s Store of the Future concept, which incorporates interactive technology that combines virtual and in-person shopping. The current opening comes days after Walmart announced it was “re-imagining the in-store shopping experience” as it implements its plan to refurbish more than 650 stores this year. These updates include “big, bold signage,” new displays that better showcase products, expanded departments and new items. At the stores’ pharmacies, Walmart is adding wider aisles, a new private screening room and privacy checkout areas. Walmart is also expanding online pickup and delivery in the remodeled stores “to fulfill the growing number of online customer orders,” the company said.
Affirm opens AI-powered POS promotion platform to merchants dynamically matching the right benefit to the right consumer at exactly the right moment
Buy now, pay later network Affirm is introducing its artificial intelligence-powered platform, AdaptAI, to its merchant partners. Merchants can provide shoppers with personalized, targeted, real-time promotions and credit offers at the point of purchase via the offering. “Unlike conventional credit card rewards — which are opaque, static and subsidized by the financially vulnerable — AdaptAI dynamically matches the right benefit to the right consumer at exactly the right moment,” Affirm Senior Vice President of Product Vishal Kapoor said. “Consumers no longer need to spend more, keep track of, or wait months to recoup their rewards. Now, they can immediately receive tailored, transparent value at the time of purchase. This is only made possible with Affirm’s AI-powered technology and real-time underwriting, and [it] builds on what we do best: delivering customized payment options that help consumers take their money further.” Consumers expect individualized experiences, particularly when paying, leading Affirm — and now its merchants — to offer payment solutions customized to consumers’ purchase and financial profiles.