VISA Launches Stablecoin Settlement in the United States (VISA)
VISA has launched USDC stablecoin settlement in the United States, allowing U.S. issuer and acquirer partners to settle transactions using Circle’s USDC for the first time. The initiative offers benefits including faster funds movement via blockchain, seven-day availability, and enhanced operational resilience during weekends and holidays. Initial U.S. banking participants include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, which are settling with Visa using USDC over the Solana blockchain, with broader U.S. availability planned through 2026. This marks a significant expansion of VISA’s stablecoin settlement pilot program that has been operating in other regions since 2023, and the company is also partnering with Circle on Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed to support VISA’s global commercial activity. [Source: VISA]
Coinbase Expands Into Stock Trading and Prediction Markets (Coinbase)
Coinbase has announced a major expansion of its platform, introducing several new products including 24/5 zero-commission stock trading), prediction markets for real-world events, and simplified futures trading—all integrated into the main Coinbase app for U.S. users. The company is also launching Coinbase Business for startups and small businesses, rolling out an AI-powered financial advisor called Coinbase Advisor, and making the Base App available globally in over 140 countries as an “onchain everything app” that combines social features, trading, and payments. Additionally, Coinbase is expanding its developer platform with payment APIs and custom stablecoin creation capabilities, positioning itself as a comprehensive financial platform that bridges traditional finance and cryptocurrency while working toward a future where all assets are tokenized and tradeable in one unified interface. [Source: Coinbase]
Upcoming Speaking Engagements:
The Digital Euro Conference 2026 (Frankfurt, March 26) will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, and commercial bank tokens. This hybrid event offers the perfect platform to understand the future of digital money! [Register here and get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code!]
I produce a monthly digest of digital fiat currency (DFC) developments exclusively for the official sector (e.g., central banks, ministries of finance and international financial institution (e.g., the BIS, IMF, OECD, World Bank)) plus academics and firms that are active in the DFC space (commercial banks, technology providers, consultants, etc.). (DFCs include central bank digital currency (CBDC), stablecoins and tokenized deposits.) It goes out via email on the first business day of every month, and if you’re interested in being on the mailing list, please email me at john@kiffmeister.com.
