Stable News: A new payments network, yield, and global infrastructure

Stable News is Lumx’s weekly curation focused on the stablecoin ecosystem, its innovations, regulations, and the transformations reshaping digital finance. In this edition, we explore Circle’s bold entry into the payments infrastructure space, Mastercard’s latest advancements, PayPal’s strategic move, BNB Chain’s strong performance, and the new SEC leadership that is reigniting regulatory optimism.

We also share a recap of recent behind-the-scenes activity at Lumx, including our regulatory webinar, the second episode of Stable Talks, and our presence at Brazil Conference at Harvard and MIT.

Reading time: 7 min

A Week of Intense Momentum

The past weeks were filled with strategic initiatives at Lumx that helped shape the rhythm of the ecosystem and brought new projects to the forefront.

Lumx Webinar – We hosted our first webinar dedicated exclusively to stablecoins: “How to prepare for stablecoin regulation: legal risks, compliance, and operational impact.” Across three days of programming, we gathered leading voices in legal and compliance fields. The event generated highly positive feedback and multiple requests for access to the content, which will soon be available on Lumx’s YouTube channel.

Stable Talks – We also released the second episode of Stable Talks, Lumx’s podcast. In this edition, Caio Barbosa sat down with Josh Solesbury, VP of Investments at ParaFi, to discuss the firm’s payments thesis and dive into the inefficiencies of B2B cross-border flows—a strategic opportunity for stablecoin use.

Brazil Conference – Lumx was present at Brazil Conference 2025, an event that brought together leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers at MIT and Harvard. The conference stood out for the depth of its discussions and the quality of its exchanges. A special highlight goes to the conversation between Jorge Paulo Lemann and Brad Jacobs, which offered inspiring perspectives on legacy-building and innovation.

You can check out The News article that brilliantly recapped the key moments of the event.

Web Summit – To wrap up, Lumx continued its active presence at Web Summit Rio 2025, both at the main event and in strategic side-events, further strengthening our role in the global fintech and Web3 ecosystem.

Circle Payments Network: Circle’s Boldest Move Yet

Circle has just launched the Circle Payments Network (CPN), an infrastructure move that positions it as much more than a stablecoin issuer. The company is now officially entering the payment network space, creating an orchestration layer that could compete with names like Visa, Ripple, and Borderless, and potentially shape the future of stablecoin payments.

The CPN connects participating financial institutions (PFIs) under a unified compliance, KYC, and standardized messaging framework. Rather than requiring local integrations, Circle offers a single API for stablecoin settlement (USDC and EURC), streamlining global operations.

via Chuk Okpalugo

The project addresses longstanding issues in stablecoin infrastructure, such as fragmented on/off-ramps and cross-border compliance complexity. Still, CPN faces the challenge of scaling liquidity, harmonizing compliance standards across jurisdictions, and competing with USDT’s already-optimized FX rails in emerging markets.

Circle is betting on its brand, capital, and distribution network to execute this vision, especially as it approaches a potential IPO and seeks to diversify revenue beyond interest on reserves.

Why this matters:

✅ CPN turns stablecoin settlement into a service, not just infrastructure
✅ By standardizing backend compliance and integrations, Circle aims to establish a global standard
✅ If successful, CPN could make USDC the default operating layer for cross-border payments

Mastercard Launches Global Infrastructure for Stablecoins

Mastercard announced an expansion of its capabilities to integrate stablecoins into everyday transactions, connecting digital wallets and point-of-sale systems through a seamless, end-to-end infrastructure. Partnering with companies like OKX and Mercado Pago, the initiative aims to make stablecoin payments transparent and easy for both consumers and merchants.

This move brings stablecoins even closer to mass adoption and reinforces Mastercard’s position as a bridge between the traditional financial system and the crypto world.

What this represents:

✅ Mastercard is accelerating the normalization of stablecoins in daily consumer and merchant routines
✅ Partnerships with wallets and exchanges signal that stablecoins are ready to compete with legacy rails
✅ The payments race is now hybrid: blockchain + legacy infrastructure

PayPal Introduces Yield on PYUSD

PayPal has announced that users will start earning 3.7% APY, paid directly in stablecoins and distributed monthly. This strategy aims to boost user retention and increase PYUSD’s competitiveness against more established stablecoins.

However, offering yield on stablecoins also sparks regulatory debate about where a stablecoin ends and a financial product begins.

Why it matters:

✅ PayPal puts yield at the center of the battle among “institutional” stablecoins
✅ PYUSD becomes a live testing ground for the blurred line between stablecoins and financial assets
✅ Yield could be the nudge needed to turn holding into a habit

BNB Chain Gains Momentum With Stablecoins and Token Burns

BNB Chain saw significant growth in Q1 2025, driven by scheduled token burns, developer incentives, and increased liquidity through stablecoins like USD1, which is now moving over $100 million daily on the network.

Once seen as merely supportive, stablecoins are now powering the growth of general-purpose chains.

Key takeaways:

✅ BNB Chain shows how stablecoins have evolved from support tools to growth engines
✅ Incentives + liquidity are creating virtuous cycles of adoption
✅ The new blockchain race is measured by stable volume, not hype

Paul Atkins Appointed to SEC and Sparks Industry Optimism

The appointment of Paul Atkins as the new Chair of the SEC has sparked renewed optimism in the crypto ecosystem. Known for advocating regulatory clarity and criticizing the prior litigation-heavy approach, Atkins promises a more predictable and innovation-friendly environment.

Stablecoins and DeFi protocols are likely to be among the key beneficiaries of this more pragmatic and open stance.

What this could mean:

✅ The new SEC leadership may pave the way for a regulated innovation agenda
✅ The U.S. could regain its status as a viable growth hub for crypto
✅ Products aligned with clear rules will gain ground, and compliance becomes a competitive edge

Stay tuned for more weekly insights and updates on the stablecoin and digital payments ecosystem. Stable News will continue tracking the developments shaping this rapidly evolving space.