Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
Blockchain in Banking Reaches Strategic Inflection Point
The global blockchain in banking market is projected to grow from $6.98 billion in 2024 to $10.65 billion in 2025 at a 52.6% CAGR, driven by real-time payments, digital adoption, and fraud reduction. North America leads with 39% market share, featuring expansions by Ripple and Aave in cross-border and DeFi services.
Early adopters like JPMorgan and Revolut are tokenizing assets and expanding crypto services under regulatory frameworks.
Visa Launches USDC Stablecoin Settlement on Solana
Visa announced USDC stablecoin settlement for U.S. partners using Solana blockchain, enabling near-instant 24/7 transactions versus traditional 1-2 day bank wires. The pilot with banks like Cross River and Lead Bank reached a $3.5 billion annualized run rate by late 2025.
This modernizes Visa's infrastructure for blockchain integration in payments.
Mastercard Partners for Stablecoin Credit Card Settlements
Mastercard collaborated with Ripple, WebBank, and Gemini to pilot USD stablecoin (RLUSD) settlements for credit card transactions over public blockchain. RLUSD, with over $1B issuance under New York trust charter, reduces multi-day clearing to seconds.
This signals stablecoins' maturity for core payment operations.
SoFi Becomes First National Bank to Issue Stablecoin on Public Blockchain
Fintech firm SoFi launched a US dollar-backed stablecoin, marking it as the first national bank to issue one on a public blockchain. This move expands SoFi's offerings amid investor focus on tech sectors.
The launch occurred on December 22, 2025.
Datavault AI Secures Two U.S. Patents for Blockchain Content Monetization
Datavault AI announced two foundational U.S. patents for blockchain-driven content licensing and tokenized monetization using smart contracts. The patents enable automatic content usage tracking, licensing verification, and tamper-proof revenue sharing for creators.
They enhance Datavault's tech for tokenizing IP as RWAs, targeting the $7B+ data monetization market.
Ripple's XRP Surges with ETF Filings and Legal Clarity
Ripple's XRP saw a 94% quarter-over-quarter surge in daily transactions, boosted by court rulings affirming it's not a security. Firms like Bitwise and 21Shares filed for XRP ETFs, spurring institutional interest.
This accelerates mainstream blockchain adoption in cross-border payments.
Sequence Raises $20M Series A for Agentic Automation in Fintech
Fintech firm Sequence secured $20 million in Series A funding to drive agentic automation. The investment supports advancements in automated financial processes.
This highlights ongoing venture capital interest in fintech innovation.
Global Fintech Funding Drops 6% YoY in 2025 Q1-Q3
Global fintech investment declined 6% year-over-year in the first three quarters of 2025, with deal activity projected to drop further. Despite the dip, key sectors like blockchain continue attracting capital.
This review summarizes 2025 fintech trends.
Federal Reserve Introduces New Payment Account for Fintechs
The Federal Reserve launched a new payment account tailored for fintech companies to streamline transactions. This initiative aims to integrate fintechs more effectively into the payment ecosystem.
Details emerged in recent market updates.
Monzo Secures Full UK Banking Licence
UK fintech Monzo obtained a full banking licence, marking a major milestone for expansion. This ends the year on a high for European fintech news.
The licence enables broader banking services.