Latest FinTech & Blockchain News
Stripe–Crypto.com launch direct crypto payments with automatic fiat conversion
Stripe and **Crypto.com** have integrated to let users pay merchants directly from crypto balances, with Stripe instantly converting to local fiat and depositing into merchants’ bank accounts, eliminating volatility risk. The January 2026 launch creates a closed-loop system for crypto-to-fiat and fiat-to-crypto flows, expanding Crypto.com’s utility across millions of Stripe-connected businesses and positioning crypto payments as a mainstream fintech growth channel.
U.S. Congress advances comprehensive crypto market structure and stablecoin rules
Negotiations among U.S. senators continue on a major **crypto market structure bill**, with a Senate Banking Committee markup scheduled for January 15, signaling potential changes to how digital asset trading platforms are regulated. In parallel, the FDIC has proposed licensing rules for banks issuing stablecoins via subsidiaries under the new **GENIUS Act**, clarifying how insured institutions can engage in payment stablecoin activities.
OCC and FDIC move to define banks’ roles in stablecoins and digital assets
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a proposal to clarify national trust banks’ authority to engage in non‑fiduciary digital asset activities, including certain crypto services. The FDIC’s new proposal would govern bank applications to issue stablecoins and participate in related activities, aiming to standardize risk management as banks move deeper into blockchain-based payment infrastructures.
Wyoming unveils first U.S. state-backed blockchain stablecoin
Wyoming announced issuance of what it calls the **first blockchain-based asset backed by a U.S. state**, a state-supported stablecoin designed to function within regulated digital finance frameworks. The move positions Wyoming as a regulatory and innovation testbed for public-sector tokenized money, potentially influencing other states’ approaches to blockchain-based financial instruments.
Trump-linked World Liberty Financial seeks U.S. national trust bank charter
Crypto firm **World Liberty Financial**, affiliated with the Trump family, has applied for an OCC national trust bank charter to support its **USD1 stablecoin**. The charter would enable more efficient issuance, use, and conversion of USD1 within the U.S. banking system, reflecting growing convergence between political brands, traditional charters, and blockchain-based payment tokens.
Stablecoin infrastructure startup Rain raises $250M at $1.95B valuation
Stablecoin payments platform **Rain** closed a $250 million Series C led by Iconiq, valuing the company at $1.95 billion, a 17x jump from March. Founded in 2021, Rain provides card and wallet infrastructure that lets enterprises spend and accept stablecoins via networks like Visa, already processing over $3 billion in annualized transactions for more than 200 companies, including Western Union and Nuvei.
FinTech funding slow to start 2026, but large rounds highlight data security and payments
Global fintech deal activity remained subdued in early 2026 due to a post-holiday slowdown, even as select firms raised substantial capital. Cyber data‑security company **Cyera** secured $400 million in a Series F at a $9 billion valuation, while e-commerce and payments infrastructure firm **Swap** raised $100 million in Series C funding to strengthen digital payments capabilities and expand across Europe and North America.
Stablecoins, tokenization, and AI-defined payments dominate 2026 fintech outlook
Industry analysis forecasts 2026 as a pivotal year where **stablecoins** and tokenized assets accelerate toward mass adoption, helped by clearer regulations like the GENIUS Act and rising transaction volumes, which jumped from $6 billion in February 2025 to $10 billion by August 2025. Reports also predict increased IPOs and M&A between banks and crypto firms, broader tokenization of over $30 billion in assets, and intensified focus on AI-driven payments and AML controls.
Institutional Bitcoin accumulation grows as retail investors sell, industry figures claim
Binance founder **Changpeng Zhao (CZ)** has argued that U.S. banks are quietly buying Bitcoin during recent market dips while retail investors panic‑sell, suggesting increased institutional conviction in BTC as a strategic asset. Commentary notes that banks now gain exposure through regulated products, custodial services, and balance-sheet strategies, and that U.S. political dynamics could eventually push the government toward a formal Bitcoin reserve after steps like a recent digital asset stockpile order.
Crypto market sees regulatory and infrastructure shifts across Latin America and Asia
Recent coverage highlights **Coinbase** pausing its peso-based services in Argentina as regulatory and market conditions evolve for crypto exchanges in Latin America. At the same time, more exchanges across Asia—49 registered platforms in one key jurisdiction—illustrate ongoing formalization of trading venues and compliance regimes in high‑growth crypto markets.
Security risks rise as AI and blockchain intersect in financial services
Analysts warn that as fintechs integrate **agentic AI** with digital currencies, AI-powered cyberattacks will increasingly target authentication systems and transaction flows. This trend is expected to heighten privacy and consensus risks for blockchain systems, pushing sponsor banks to scrutinize fintech partners’ anti‑money‑laundering and cybersecurity controls more rigorously in 2026.