Stable News: The Return of Those Who Haven't Left

Stable News is Lumx’s weekly curation, focused on updates about the stablecoin ecosystem and its impact on the digital financial market. In this edition, we cover the latest developments, including the progress of the GENIUS Act in the US Senate, Mastercard's strategic partnership with MoonPay for stablecoin payments, Stripe’s launch of new products with Bridge, and the global movements of countries like South Korea and Canada regarding stablecoins.

Reading time: 7 minutes

GENIUS Act: Progress and Developments in Stablecoin Regulation in the US

In the last edition, we discussed how the GENIUS Act faced a setback in the US Senate, but after less than two weeks, the bill gained new momentum, passing a crucial cloture vote. This move puts the GENIUS Act back on track to potentially become a law that could redefine the future of stablecoin regulation in the United States.

The GENIUS Act aims to establish a robust regulatory framework for the use and issuance of stablecoins, with the goal of ensuring a safer and more transparent environment for the market. The proposal, which had been rejected due to internal political disagreements, is now undergoing adjustments related to national security and anti-money laundering concerns. However, internal challenges still persist, and uncertainty over the effective execution of the project remains a concern for the sector.

Why this matters:

✅ The approval of the GENIUS Act represents an important step in solidifying stablecoin regulation, but political impasse could delay this progress.
✅ The lack of clear regulation may affect the competitiveness of stablecoin companies, highlighting the need for a more cohesive and effective approach.
✅ Stablecoin regulation in countries like the US can directly influence global adoption of the technology, and the uncertainty may allow other nations to move forward more quickly.

Stripe and Its New Stablecoin Product: Updates After the Acquisition of Bridge

Stripe, the payments giant, continues its journey into the world of stablecoins. With the recent acquisition of Bridge for $1.1 billion, the company is developing a new product that will allow businesses outside the United States, the UK, and Europe to conduct international transactions using stablecoins like USDC. This move not only confirms Stripe’s confidence in stablecoins as a global financial solution but also highlights the impact of Bridge’s integration in increasing liquidity in emerging markets.

Bridge brings a robust infrastructure to Stripe, enabling faster, more accessible, and lower-cost transactions without relying on traditional intermediaries. This solution is particularly relevant for markets that face high costs and inefficiencies with conventional banking methods. This development reinforces the growing integration of stablecoins into the global financial system.

Why this matters:

✅ Stripe positions itself as a key facilitator for stablecoin adoption in markets outside the traditional ones, such as the US and Europe.
✅ With Bridge, Stripe offers a more efficient and accessible solution for international transactions, especially in emerging markets.
✅ This new Stripe product could accelerate the adoption of decentralized financial solutions, driving a transformation in global payments.

Mastercard and MoonPay: Strategic Partnership for Stablecoin Payments

Mastercard, in collaboration with MoonPay, has announced a partnership to expand stablecoin payment services, enabling transactions with stablecoins at more than 150 million merchants worldwide. This move strengthens Mastercard’s position as a leader in integrating stablecoins into the traditional financial system, highlighting its commitment to innovation in the global payments sector.

The partnership with MoonPay brings a robust infrastructure to enable instant payments and direct conversion to fiat currencies, simplifying the international transaction experience for businesses and consumers. This advancement places Mastercard as one of the leaders in the stablecoin payment market, as competition with Visa intensifies on the global stage.

Why this matters:

✅ Mastercard reaffirms its leadership in digital payment innovation, promoting the adoption of stablecoins as a central part of global financial transactions.
✅ The partnership with MoonPay enables fast, efficient, and accessible transactions, with automatic conversion to fiat currencies.
✅ The growing competition between Mastercard and Visa in stablecoin payment solutions accelerates the transformation of the financial sector, driving global adoption of cryptocurrencies for everyday transactions.

Visa and Its Commitment to Stablecoins

In an interview with EXAME, Catalina Tobar, Head of Crypto Solutions for Visa Latin America, highlighted the growing role of stablecoins and how Visa sees its future in the sector. According to Tobar, stablecoins have become an essential part of the financial system, with practical applications in international transactions and global payment solutions.

Visa continues its commitment to integrating stablecoins into the traditional financial system, facilitating cryptocurrency adoption and bringing it closer to conventional financial solutions. This vision of digital transformation is accompanied by significant initiatives, such as creating infrastructure that connects the global financial system to the new digital economy.

Why this matters:

✅ Visa reaffirms its leadership position in the payments sector, positioning stablecoins as a strategic solution for the future of global transactions.
✅ Integrating stablecoins into the traditional financial system facilitates the use of cryptocurrencies in everyday transactions, bridging the gap between digital and fiat currencies.
✅ Visa’s leadership position in developing stablecoin solutions reinforces its central role in the global financial ecosystem.

Stablecoins in South Korea and Canada: Global Movements of Adoption and Regulation

The global stablecoin landscape continues to evolve, with different countries adopting distinct approaches. In South Korea, presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung proposed creating a stablecoin linked to the won to combat capital flight and strengthen the country’s financial sovereignty. Although the proposal is still in its early stages, it highlights South Korea’s intention to adopt cryptocurrencies in its economy.

In Canada, the situation is different, with the market facing challenges due to the regulation of stablecoins as securities and derivatives, which has hindered the development of adequate solutions for the sector. This scenario places Canada at a disadvantage, while other countries, such as the US and the European Union, are advancing rapidly with regulations favorable to stablecoin adoption.

Why this matters:
✅ South Korea stands out as one of the first countries considering the creation of its own stablecoin, strengthening its financial sovereignty.
✅ Canada, on the other hand, faces significant regulatory challenges, which may hinder stablecoin adoption in the country.
✅ The regulation of stablecoins continues to evolve globally, with some nations advancing more quickly, putting Canada at a competitive disadvantage.

Stable Talks – Episode 4 Now Available!

In this episode, Caio Barbosa had the pleasure of speaking with Raagulan Pathy, Co-Founder of KAST, to explore how KAST is transforming the future of international payments with stablecoins.

We discussed:

✅ How KAST is building a stablecoin-based credit card to enable borderless global payments
✅ The challenges of operating in highly regulated markets and why compliance is essential for global scalability
✅ The role of stablecoins in solving inefficiencies in global payments and international transactions
✅ KAST’s vision for a borderless financial ecosystem powered by stablecoins

If you are a fintech founder, a compliance professional, or working with global financial products, this episode provides valuable insights and a forward-looking perspective.
▶️ Listen to Episode 4 - Borderless Payments: Link
👉 Follow the series – more episodes with fintech leaders are coming soon: Link

The Future of Stablecoins is Being Shaped Now

The stablecoin market is at a crucial moment of transformation, with regulatory movements, strategic partnerships, and technological innovations helping define its role in the global financial system. As companies like Visa, Stripe, Coinbase, and others lead this transition, we can expect an acceleration in the adoption of stablecoins as a viable solution for global transactions.

At Lumx, we continue to closely monitor each step of this journey, committed to connecting innovation with the needs of the global financial market. Stay tuned for upcoming editions of Stable News for more updates on the future of digital payments.