Blockchain Payment Innovations

As a payment method, stablecoins lack some of the useful features we've come to depend on with credit cards. But, as Jevgenijs Kazanins recently profiled, Coinbase's Commerce Payments Protocol could be a game-changer for unlocking those features. Behind the scenes, Coinbase recently quietly launched the Commerce Payments Protocol, a new toolkit designed to mimic—and improve upon—traditional card features: 👉On-chain“authorization & capture” using escrow smart contracts 👉Decentralized operators that take on roles similar to merchant acquirers 👉“Token collectors” that act like issuers, letting wallets function more seamlessly 👉Fee models that mirror card interchange but enable brand-new participants in the user 'cashback' and rewards process 💡 Why It Matters 1. Fast settlement + low fees – No more waiting 2–3 days for funds 2. Built-in rewards – Yield on reserves can fund consumer & merchant incentives, similar to card rewards 3. Margin shift – Merchants could capture more profit by reducing interchange fees 4. Programmable infrastructure – Unlocks flexible, merchant-controlled reward models 5. Embedded finance – Merchants like Shopify, Amazon, and Walmart could issue their own stablecoins, lowering costs and deepening customer loyalty 📊 The Broader Context Cards are still dominant because of their universal acceptance, consumer protections, fraud mechanisms, and rewards Visa & Mastercard are responding—offering crypto-funded cards and letting merchants accept stablecoins like USDC. However, true innovation is happening on blockchain-powered rails, where new economic incentives and models can be forged without the traditional card networks or banks as middlemen. 🔍 Final Takeaway Coinbase isn’t just promoting stablecoins—it’s re-architecting payment rails. The Commerce Payments Protocol blends the best of card networks with blockchain’s openness and programmability. Whether this becomes mainstream depends on merchant adoption, regulatory alignment, and consumer trust—but make no mistake: a powerful payment era is unfolding. 👉 Should big retailers roll out their own stablecoins? Can this model scale globally? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Hit us up at This Week in Fintech or Stablecon.

The architecture of cross-border payments is shifting — and it’s no longer just about speed. It’s about programmability, transparency, and compliance by design. Circle newly launched Payments Network (CPN) is not a minor enhancement to legacy systems — it’s a fundamentally different model. One where regulated stablecoins (USDC, EURC) act as digital cash, settlement is near-instant, and participants are governed by enforceable standards. How does CPN stand apart? • Value transfer, not just message exchange • Settlement finality in seconds, not days • No reliance on correspondent banking chains • Full transparency with on-chain audit trails • Compliance-embedded — KYC, AML, cybersecurity built into the network design It’s a network where every transaction is verifiable, programmable, and borderless — opening new possibilities for real-time treasury, trade, and payments innovation. As someone deeply engaged with ISO 20022, structured data, and the future of regulated payments infrastructure — this evolution is both timely and necessary. The question isn’t whether these networks will coexist. It’s whether traditional rails will keep pace with programmable money. Biju Nicolas Pinto Sam Boboev #payments #financialservices #swift #stablecoins #cbdc #treasury #iso20022 #blockchain

Crypto #payments are gradually but steadily gaining popularity and inevitably becoming part of a multi-polar payments’ landscape. Let’s take a look. Among all the discussions around blockchain #innovation, it often gets forgotten that payments were the first use case, famously documented in the exchange of 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 Papa John’s pizzas in 2010. Since then, thousands of cryptocurrencies have been created but one thing remains unchanged: a cryptocurrency is, by definition, a payment method, created as a digital alternative to traditional #money. A few reasons stand behind #crypto payments’ potential: —    The absence of trusted third parties like banks or card networks —    Increased efficiency resulting in reduced transaction costs   —    Transparency combined with enhanced privacyy   —    A global network almost not limited by borders   Most popular use cases: —  Remittances & money transfer —  Payroll & social benefits —  Cross-border payments for SMEs —  Merchant acceptance When we talk about crypto payments becoming mainstream the latter is by far at the tip of the spear, with developments across 3 main levels: 1.    Merchants and big brands (i.e. Newegg, Starbucks, Twitch) accepting crypto as a means of payment.   2.    Payment providers (i.e. Shopify, Paypal) integrating crypto payments into their platforms. Stripe’s move to bring back crypto payments after a pause of 6 years citing "real utility" has made big headlines.   3.    Visa and Mastercard crypto card offerings (credit, debit, prepaid) that not only allow customers to pay for goods and services, but also permit to convert crypto to fiat and withdraw funds in fiat. At the same time regulation is catching up with various initiatives around the globe, building exactly on the above momentum as an explicit sign of crypto’s evolutionary path. The best example is the EU’s MiCA (Markets in Crypto-assets) regulation that wants to not only build a clear legal framework for crypto assets but also to address issues such as customer & investor protection, financial crime, market manipulation and fair competition. One pattern comes out as a clear outcome from these developments: the strong interconnection between crypto and traditional finance. Unlike what many believe, crypto’s success is being built – step by step – as a reliable enhancement to existing financial infrastructure. Which, in turn, has created the need for companies that act as efficient crypto-to-fiat gateways, bridging the gap between the two worlds. Estonian-licensed CryptoProcessing.com by CoinsPaid is a good example of such a crypto ecosystem provider. In an increasingly versatile digital payments arena, the offering of cryptocurrencies has become a tool of choice and diversification rather than one of endorsement. And with around 1% crypto penetration in the real economy, we are just beginning to scratch the surface of crypto payments’ potential. Opinions: my own, Graphic source: CoinsPaid

🚨 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 — the 2025 reality 👇 The question I most often get is → "𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐮𝐫?" well, still don't have a crystal ball but here are some thoughts. Payments feel instant at checkout. But underneath, AI, blockchain, and tokenization are rewriting the rules of how money moves — and who controls it. 1️⃣ 𝐀𝐈 𝐱 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 AI is moving from “supporting tool” to autonomous orchestrator. → Routing transactions through the right PSP in real time. → Dynamically adjusting fraud thresholds without human input. → Powering agentic checkout, where AI finalizes purchases on behalf of users. Example: DEUNA is building an AI intelligence layer that predicts the best PSP and risk strategy per transaction, cutting fraud while lifting conversion. —— 2️⃣ 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧 & 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 Stablecoins are no longer experiments — they’re becoming core rails for settlement. → Corporates are shifting liquidity cross-border in seconds, not days. → Networks like Visa are already settling stablecoin payments on Solana. Example: PayPal’s PYUSD is now integrated into Venmo, unlocking stablecoin utility for retail. —— 3️⃣ 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 Tokenization is becoming programmable — from network tokens to real-world assets. → Merchants reduce declines with adaptive tokens per device, merchant, or channel. → Banks fractionalize deposits and collateral into programmable tokens for 24/7 flows. Example: J.P. Morgan’s Tokenized Collateral Network is enabling intraday repo trades in hours, not days. —— 4️⃣ 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 AI agents don’t just recommend products — they negotiate, purchase, and retry payments. → Subscriptions renewed automatically. → Price optimization triggered by algorithms. → Checkouts executed invisibly in the background. Example: Checkout.com is enabling agentic commerce flows, where AI agents leverage orchestration + network tokens to select optimal PSPs, maximize approvals, and reduce costs. —— 5️⃣ 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 (𝐈𝐃 + 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬) As payments decentralize, trust must be embedded. → Digital ID + tokens are merging into the new passport of payments. → Biometrics authenticate while tokens protect data. Example: VGS enables merchants to process payments without ever touching sensitive data — combining PCI vaulting, tokenization, and biometric flows with the networks to de-risk compliance at scale. This is directly linked to 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞. —— A little 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭: The next payment won’t be a transaction. It will be an autonomous event — orchestrated by AI, settled on-chain, and trusted through embedded identity. Thoughts? —— Source: Visa ► Subscribe to 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 ☕: https://lnkd.in/g5cDhnjC ► Connecting the dots in Payments... | Marcel van Oost

𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱 & 𝗝.𝗣. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗕𝟮𝗕 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 💳 🤝 Mastercard and J.P. Morgan recently unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration that integrates Mastercard’s Multi-Token Network (MTN) with J.P. Morgan’s Kinexys Digital Payments. This blockchain-powered #DeFi partnership seeks to address long-standing pains in cross-border B2B payments, setting the stage for faster, more transparent, and more efficient transactions. _____ 🔑 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 1️⃣ 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝟮𝗕 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 --> This partnership simplifies cross-border payments by empowering businesses to connect to both platforms via a single API, translating to faster payment processing and settlement. --> Also included are real-time value transfers, which eliminate delays caused by time zone differences and outdated systems. --> Businesses can now settle transactions faster, drastically reducing operational bottlenecks. 2️⃣ 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 --> By integrating blockchain standards with tokenized assets, this collaboration sets a new precedent for open banking. --> It demonstrates how decentralized solutions can scale for global businesses, creating a blueprint for future interoperability and innovation. 3️⃣ 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 --> Mastercard and J.P. Morgan’s success only helps to highlight the vast potential of collaboration in the fintech industry. --> Future partnerships might explore tokenized CBDCs, AI-driven payment insights, and expanded RTP networks, building a greater interconnected financial world. 4️⃣ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 & 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 --> This partnership isn’t only about infrastructure, it's about trust and transparency. --> This further signifies a shift toward efficient, secure, and scalable global payment solutions. 5️⃣ 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 --> Another notable collab include Visa’s work with Tink in open banking integrations --> These partnerships underscore the shared industry goal: making global transactions seamless and accessible. _____ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆? This partnership sets the tone for how blockchain, open banking, and cross-industry collaboration can redefine global commerce. As fintech continues to innovate, the possibilities for creating more inclusive, transparent, and efficient financial systems seem limitless. 💬 What are your thoughts on this partnership? Could this reshape the B2B payments landscape? Let’s discuss! Sources: Payments Experts, CoinJournal, Electronic Payments Int'l 🔔 Follow Jason Heister for daily #Fintech and #Payments guides, technical breakdowns, and industry insights.

Big week in payments 🚨 Three signals worth paying attention to: 1️⃣ SWIFT + blockchain: Swift just announced a blockchain-based ledger to modernize cross-border settlements. A nod that even the most entrenched infrastructure recognizes the future is programmable, transparent, and ledger-native. 2️⃣ Stripe Financial Accounts: Stripe rolled out Financial Accounts — This is the connective tissue for global money-movement products. You can now store funds in multiple currencies (including stablecoins). 3️⃣ Brex + Stablecoins: Brex now lets customers pay their bills in stablecoins. Borderless, 24/7, low-cost payments moving from theory into day-to-day financial ops. The thread here? Ledgers are the new rails. Whether you call it blockchain, stablecoin, or financial accounts — the industry is racing to rebuild money movement on programmable, always-on infrastructure. The old backbone is creaking. The new one is here. #payments #fintech #stablecoin

The global payments industry processes $2.83 trillion every year. Yet, it still operates on outdated banking systems that are over 50 years old. This report looks at how blockchain can transform payments by making them cheaper and faster. Here are the main points: 🔶 Currently, making payments can involve up to six intermediaries, each taking a cut, which complicates things and drives up costs. 🔶 The existing payment infrastructure is inefficient and fragmented, leading to high expenses, especially for cross-border transactions. 🔶 Blockchain technology, particularly with stablecoins, allows for near-instant settlements, lower costs, and increased transparency for global payments. 🔶 In 2023, the stablecoin market settled over $10.8 trillion in transactions, with USDT and USDC leading the way. 🔶 Major players like Visa are already piloting blockchain solutions for institutional-grade global payments. 🔶 Blockchain-based platforms like Binance Pay are seeing fast growth, with user activity and transaction counts increasing nearly fivefold since 2022. 🔶 Challenges still exist, such as scalability, complex user experiences, and regulatory uncertainties. 🔶 Given the size of the payments industry, the adoption of blockchain technology will likely be cautious and gradual. 🔶 Blockchain has the potential to skip over traditional banking systems, which could really help those who are unbanked or underbanked. More and more people will have access to faster, cheaper, and more transparent payment options as blockchain keeps growing in the payments space. #fintech #blockchain #Payments