Stable News is Lumx’s weekly curation dedicated to highlighting the key developments in stablecoins, tokenization, and digital payments in the global economy.
In this edition, we cover strategic partnerships between global banks and crypto players, billion-dollar acquisitions focused on payment infrastructure, a new wave of investments in tokenization startups, and the regulatory impacts shaping the sector in 2025.
Reading time: 7 minutes
Standard Chartered and Animoca Brands Form Joint Venture for Stablecoin License in Hong Kong
Standard Chartered and Animoca Brands have announced the creation of Anchorpoint, a joint venture seeking a license to issue stablecoins under Hong Kong’s new regulatory regime. The initiative marks one of the first formal moves by a major global bank to position itself in Asia’s stablecoin market, leveraging the regulatory framework that came into effect in August.
The strategic partnership combines Standard Chartered’s traditional financial expertise with Animoca Brands’ experience in digital assets and gaming. Mary Huen, CEO of Standard Chartered for Hong Kong and North Asia, highlighted the key role of stablecoins in building a sustainable digital asset ecosystem. Yat Siu of Animoca Brands stressed that regulatory clarity enables accelerated client acquisition and participation in supervised ecosystems.
Why it matters:
✅ Hong Kong cements its position as a strategic jurisdiction for global issuers, attracting partnerships between traditional incumbents and native crypto players.
✅ The joint venture signals that global banks see stablecoins as a legitimate business opportunity, not just a tech experiment.
✅ The timing coincides with rising demand for regulated stablecoins in Asia, especially for cross-border payments and B2B services.
Venture Capital Accelerates Investment in Stablecoin and Tokenization Infrastructure
The sector is seeing a notable wave of investment in startups focused on stablecoins and real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. Key highlights include: Stable (blockchain focused on USDt) raised $28M; Spiko (French tokenized funds platform) secured $22M; Dakota (stablecoin-based digital bank) closed $12.5M; Jarsy (tokenized equity platform) raised $5M; and BridgePort (settlement network) obtained $3.2M.
These investments reflect the convergence between stablecoins and RWAs, with an emphasis on compliance, enterprise API integration, and solutions catering to both institutional and retail markets. Founders frequently cite the approval of the GENIUS Act in the U.S. as a catalyst, creating a more favorable environment for regulated solutions.
Why it matters:
✅ Investors see the next phase of stablecoins in robust infrastructure, not just token issuance.
✅ Startups focus on solving real problems: advanced compliance, programmable liquidity, enterprise APIs, and tokenization of traditional assets.
✅ U.S. regulatory momentum boosts confidence and attracts institutional capital across the sector.
Ripple Acquires Rail for $200M, Expands Global Stablecoin Payment Services
Ripple announced the acquisition of Rail, a Canadian payments platform, for $200 million. The deal integrates advanced compliance tools, virtual accounts, and established banking partnerships into Ripple’s portfolio, significantly strengthening its position in enterprise stablecoin payments. Rail has over 12 established banking partners and serves fintechs, neobanks, and corporate organizations.
The acquisition aligns with Ripple’s strategy to expand usage of RLUSD (its stablecoin with a $611M market cap) and XRP in global payments. The company also applied for a U.S. banking license in July, signaling a strategic move into the traditional financial system. This deal follows the $1.25B acquisition of Hidden Road, consolidating Ripple as a globally relevant institutional player.
Why it matters:
✅ Major crypto players are investing heavily in payment infrastructure to compete directly with traditional incumbents.
✅ Integrating virtual accounts and advanced compliance tools shows a strategic focus on white-label enterprise solutions.
✅ The banking license application underscores that mature crypto companies prioritize regulatory legitimacy to scale globally.
China Restricts Stablecoin Research, Tightens Control Over Domestic Interest
Chinese regulators have instructed major local brokerages to halt the publication of research endorsing stablecoins, aiming to curb growing domestic investor interest in digital currencies. Brokerages reported receiving guidance from market authorities in late July and early August to discontinue reports and public commentary on the subject.
This move comes amid rising stablecoin interest among Chinese investors, especially after Hong Kong approved specific regulations in May. Think tanks were also instructed to cancel related seminars. The measure signals mainland authorities’ caution, even as recent discussions have explored potential strategic uses of stablecoins for certain government applications.
Why it matters:
✅ China maintains strict control over domestic crypto narratives, even while acknowledging the growing global relevance of stablecoins.
✅ Rising investor interest in stablecoins reflects significant latent demand for stable digital assets.
✅ The regulatory gap between mainland China and Hong Kong creates both complex opportunities and strategic challenges for regional players.
GENIUS Act Boosts RWA Tokenization by Restricting Stablecoin Yield
One of the most debated provisions of the GENIUS Act is its explicit ban on stablecoins offering direct yield to holders. The measure aims to ensure that stablecoins function exclusively as a means of payment and store of value, without directly competing with traditional bank products or money market funds.
Initial market reactions were mixed, with concerns that the restriction could reduce institutional investor appeal. However, Will Beeson, former Standard Chartered executive and CEO of Uniform Labs, argues that the ban may paradoxically accelerate capital flows into RWA tokenization. The restriction directs capital toward platforms offering real-time conversion between tokenized assets and stablecoins, benefiting companies like BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and Ondo.
Why it matters:
✅ Regulation can indirectly drive innovation by channeling capital into more sophisticated, compliant tokenization solutions.
✅ Banning yield on stablecoins reinforces their role as “digital money” while creating demand for complementary tokenized products.
✅ The convergence between stablecoins and tokenized traditional assets creates a new category of regulated digital financial products.
Lumx Strengthens Presence at Blockchain.RIO 2025 as Gold Sponsor
Lumx returned to Blockchain.RIO this year as a Gold Sponsor, highlighting the company’s growth and commitment to the Latin American blockchain ecosystem. The event, held August 6–7 at ExpoRio, gathered over 15,000 participants, regulatory authorities from multiple countries, and leading companies in the sector.
Over two days, Lumx showcased interactive demonstrations of its B2B stablecoin infrastructure, focusing on solutions that optimize international payments, on/off-ramp operations, and compliance for banks and fintechs in the region. The participation included strategic panels and interviews, reinforcing that stablecoins are evolving from a technological concept into a practical solution, emphasizing security, regulatory frameworks, and provider differentiation.
🔗 Video
This edition of Stable News captures a moment of consolidation for the stablecoin sector: major institutions are forming strategic partnerships, mature companies are making billion-dollar infrastructure acquisitions, venture capital is accelerating investment in practical solutions, and regulators are shaping the environment for sustainable growth. The outlook points to a sector that has definitively moved beyond its experimental phase, now focused on execution, compliance, and building solid bridges between the digital world and the traditional financial system.
See you in the next edition. Wishing you a great week ahead.
