The payments firm recently introduced stablecoin accounts for its users, while its recent acquisition Bridge rolled out a USDC token.
Analytics specialist Artemis, assisted by VC firms Dragonfly and Castle Island Ventures, looked at data from 31 stablecoin payment companies.
Fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake has expanded its payment options to include Bitcoin (BTC) at all of its locations globally, where regulations permit. The rollout, which began on May 16, utilizes the Lightning Network to enable faster and lower-cost transactions. The company’s COO, Dan Edwards, revealed the development on May 27 at the Bitcoin […]
The post Fast food giant Steak ‘n Shake launches Bitcoin payments, boosts financial efficiency appeared first on CryptoSlate.
BitGo has reportedly initiated the second phase of FTX’s repayment process, marking another milestone in the exchange’s long-awaited recovery effort. On May 27, FTX creditor Sunil Kavuri reported that user accounts had been credited through BitGo as part of the repayment rollout. However, these funds will remain locked from trading until May 30. He said: […]
The post BitGo advances FTX repayment amid rising phishing threats appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin believes that if decentralized networks become more robust and private, they can support national efforts to reduce reliance on cash. In a May 25 post on X, Buterin commented on recent developments in Sweden and Norway, where authorities are rethinking their near-total shift toward digital payments. Both countries have led the […]
The post Vitalik suggests Ethereum as a secure digital payment backup as Sweden and Norway shift back to cash appeared first on CryptoSlate.
American economist Kenneth Rogoff believes that the rise of crypto poses a threat to the hegemony of the U.S. dollar. Rogoff previously served as the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and on the Federal Reserve Board. He is a published author and an economics professor at Harvard University. In an interview with […]
The post Former IMF chief economist believes crypto is a rising threat to the U.S. Dollar’s dominance appeared first on CryptoSlate.
JPMorgan analysts say expectations that the stablecoin market could triple or quadruple in the near future are "far too optimistic."
Russian authorities are intensifying their crackdown on domestic crypto payments with a new bill that proposes steep penalties and asset seizures. According to local reports, the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank have jointly submitted draft legislation that could see individuals fined up to 200,000 rubles and companies penalized up to 1 million rubles […]
The post Russia plans to seize crypto in new crackdown on local payments appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Aside from the approval of spot bitcoin ETFs, it marks the most significant regulatory milestone in crypto's history, Matt Hougan argued.
KuCoin is exploring how it can accelerate crypto adoption by allowing users to easily spend it when carrying out day-to-day transactions
Ripple has announced new partnerships with UAE-based Zand Bank and fintech firm Mamo to expand its payments service in the Middle East. This is the firm’s latest strategic move following its licensing approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The collaborations will enable Zand Bank and Mamo to integrate Ripple’s blockchain-based infrastructure into their […]
The post Ripple partners with major UAE banks to integrate XRP into payment infrastructure appeared first on CryptoSlate.
JPMorgan has completed a groundbreaking pilot transaction that bridges traditional finance and blockchain in collaboration with Ondo Finance and Chainlink. According to a May 14 statement, the banking giant’s blockchain unit, Kinexys, successfully executed a cross-chain atomic settlement using Ondo Finance’s tokenized short-term US Treasury product, OUSG. This marks the first time Kinexys has connected its permissioned […]
The post JPMorgan bridges blockchain and traditional finance in landmark pilot transaction appeared first on CryptoSlate.
JPMorgan's blockchain unit Kinexys, Chainlink and Ondo Finance teamed up to test cross-chain settlement of a tokenized U.S. Treasuries fund.
The deal with Crypto.com will allow residents and businesses to pay fees using crypto wallets while the government receives dirhams.
Tether USD (USDT) has surpassed $150 billion in circulating supply amid stablecoins averaging over $521 billion in weekly transfer volumes in 2025, The metrics posted by the leading stablecoin are well above the combined weekly volumes of Visa and PayPal, which averaged $319 billion and $32 billion, respectively. Tether described the milestone as the culmination […]
The post USDT supply surpasses $150 billion as stablecoins outpace mainstream giants Visa, PayPal appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Meta is exploring stablecoin-based payment infrastructure in a renewed effort to integrate blockchain technology into its platforms, Fortune reported on May 8, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the report, the tech giant is in preliminary discussions with multiple crypto firms to evaluate stablecoins as a mechanism for managing cross-border payouts. The discussions […]
The post Meta exploring stablecoins for cross-border payouts in renewed crypto push appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat), the UAE’s federal government-owned fuel retailer, has partnered with Crypto.com to introduce crypto payments at fuel stations, marking a first in the Middle East and North Africa. The initial phase enables crypto payments at 10 Emarat stations across Dubai, with plans to expand the service throughout Emarat’s network, according to […]
The post UAE state-owned Emarat partners with Crypto.com to integrate Bitcoin, crypto payments at gas stations appeared first on CryptoSlate.
The new product allows businesses to hold balances in dollar-backed stablecoins, and send stablecoins globally.
Stripe unveiled a new AI foundation model for payments and expanded support for stablecoins and embedded finance. The firm made the announcement at its annual Sessions conference, where it introduced more than 60 product updates. The enhanced stablecoin integration comes more than six months after the firm acquired Bridge for $1.1 billion. AI foundation model […]
The post Stripe unveils AI foundation model for payments and deeper stablecoin integration appeared first on CryptoSlate.
UK fintech giant Revolut has partnered with Lightspark to bring Lightning Network support for Bitcoin (BTC) payments to users in the UK and select European Economic Area countries, the companies announced on May 7. The integration enables near-instant, low-cost Bitcoin transactions for Revolut users by leveraging Lightspark’s enterprise-grade infrastructure. It marks a major milestone for […]
The post Revolut partners with Lightspark to integrate Bitcoin lightning payments appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Coinbase unveiled an open-source protocol for on-chain payments via HTTP called x402. Announced on May 6, the system repurposes the previously unused HTTP 402 “Payment Required” status code to support direct machine-native payments using stablecoins. The protocol enables autonomous agents and applications to pay for API access, data, and services without relying on human intervention, […]
The post Coinbase reveals x402 protocol to enable on-chain payments via HTTP appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Why are refunds important in stablecoin payments? Anyone who has used traditional payment systems will likely be familiar with refunds and chargebacks. If a purchase goes wrong, like receiving damaged items or not receiving the product at all, the payer can file a complaint with the seller to recover their funds. This process of refunds builds trust between payers and sellers, ensuring secure transactions for both sides.However, stablecoin transactions differ significantly. Unlike credit cards or PayPal, stablecoin payments are generally irreversible. Once sent, the payment is final, with no standard way to dispute or reverse it if issues arise, which can make payers wary of using stablecoins for daily purchases.This highlights the importance of refunds in the stablecoin ecosystem. Just as payers rely on protections with traditional payment methods, stablecoin transactions need comparable systems to inspire confidence. Without options to dispute or reverse payments, payers may avoid stablecoins for online shopping or other transactions. A clear, reliable refund system could make stablecoin payments safer and more attractive for payers, whether purchasing digital goods, services or physical items. Circle’s Refund Protocol, explained Circle’s refund protocol is basically a smart contract designed to resolve payment disputes while preventing custodial control over funds. It has transformed the role of arbiter by restricting their ability to redirect funds at will or indefinitely block access.Traditionally, an arbiter could fully control escrowed funds, including misusing or losing them. The Refund Protocol changes this by limiting the arbiter’s powers strictly to dispute resolution. Rather than making the arbiter all-powerful, the protocol entrusts the arbiter with three specific authorities:Set a lockup period during which the payer’s funds are securely held in escrowAuthorize refunds to a pre-specified address provided by the payerAllow early fund withdrawal by the payer if they pay a mutually agreed fee to the arbiter.The arbiter cannot send the funds to any arbitrary address, ensuring they remain non-custodial. The use of a smart contract ensures transparency, locking the process into code rather than trusting human discretion. The smart contract logs the recipient’s address, amount and refund address. By removing full custodial rights and fixing the dispute period, the Refund Protocol protects both payers and recipients while offering a structured, tamper-proof way to handle disagreements. Key features of Circle’s Refund Protocol In digital payments, stablecoins like USDC (USDC) have transformed transactions by providing swift, borderless and stable payment options. But these stablecoins lack the ability to manage disputes or process refunds, which is typically expected from traditional payment systems such as credit cards. The Refund Protocol fills this void.Here are the key features of the Refund Protocol:Non-custodial escrow: With the Refund Protocol, funds are never controlled by a central party. You don’t need to trust any single entity with your funds. Instead, the smart contract itself ensures that funds are only released when the conditions are met. This creates a more secure and trustworthy system for both payers and sellers.Mediation by an arbiter: If a dispute arises, the Refund Protocol employs an arbiter who works as a neutral mediator to settle conflicts without centralization or excessive authority. The arbiter’s role is to facilitate dispute resolution, not to manage the funds. If the payer and the seller cannot resolve the issue, the arbiter can make a final ruling, but they cannot arbitrarily access or control the funds. Lockup periods: To allow both parties time to address issues, the Refund Protocol incorporates lockup periods. During this period, funds stay in escrow, giving both sides an opportunity for negotiation or dispute resolution before funds are transferred to the payer. This ensures the payment isn’t immediately lost to fraud or mistakes.Early withdrawals: If the seller needs access to funds before the lockup period concludes, the Refund Protocol permits early withdrawals. But this is subject to a fee and requires consent from both the payer and the arbiter. Early withdrawals offer flexibility, enabling quicker access to funds if both parties agree on the conditions.Composability and transparency: A standout feature of the Refund Protocol is its composability, designed to integrate effortlessly with other blockchain-based applications. All transactions are logged on the blockchain, allowing the payer to monitor their funds’ status and maintain a clear record if a dispute occurs.Did you know? The Refund Protocol is built to work with USDC and can be integrated into merchant platforms, wallets or payment services. This opens doors to mainstream e-commerce use cases, where stablecoin refunds become as seamless as traditional card chargebacks. How Circle’s Refund Protocol works With Circle’s Refund Protocol, the payer no longer needs to avoid USDC payments, fearing an irreversible payment. It offers a transparent, decentralized and clear method to resolve disputes, ensuring funds’ safety. Here is how the refund protocol works:The payment: When the payer makes a payment, funds aren’t instantly transferred to the seller. The protocol’s smart contract holds the funds in escrow, showing the payment as initiated but pausing the transfer until conditions are fulfilled.The refund: If an issue occurs post-payment, such as non-delivery of service or products, the payer can request a refund from escrow if the supplier agrees. But if the seller doesn’t consent, they can escalate the matter to the arbiter for a resolution.The withdrawal: After the lockup period, if no disputes arise, the seller can withdraw funds without arbiter involvement. The decentralized, non-custodial system would only hold funds when needed.Early withdrawal: If the seller needs funds sooner, they can request early withdrawal. This feature includes a fee the arbiter determines and must be mutually agreed upon with the payer. To prevent arbitrary charges, the recipient must sign off on the terms before the withdrawal can happen.Did you know? The protocol predefines refund addresses at the time of payment. This means that even if disputes arise, arbiters can’t redirect funds elsewhere. It’s a privacy-preserving and fraud-resistant design that limits trust assumptions while still allowing dispute mediation. Benefits of the Refund Protocol Refund Protocol transforms stablecoin transactions by prioritizing security, transparency and user autonomy. It delivers a cost-effective, decentralized framework that enhances trust and usability for everyday payments.Here are some benefits of the Refund Protocol:Non-custodial system: The Refund Protocol ensures funds remain free from centralized control and, subsequently, arbitrary decision-making. This mechanism boosts trust as the payers don’t need to rely on any single entity. The smart contract ensures automated release of funds when conditions are met, fostering a secure, trustworthy environment for both payers and sellers.Transparent dispute resolution: A key advantage of the Refund Protocol is a transparent dispute resolution process. If an issue arises, an arbiter resolves it. As all transactions are onchain, both payers and buyers can monitor dispute progress anytime. Flexibility and control: The payer can designate a refund address in advance, setting payment terms. A seller may withdraw funds early, though with a fee. These features provide greater control over fund handling, which becomes especially useful for uses like e-commerce.Lower costs: By eliminating intermediaries like banks or payment processors, the Refund Protocol cuts transaction fees. This makes stablecoin payments a cost-effective option, particularly for cross-border transfers where traditional methods are slow and expensive.Greater stablecoin adoption: The Refund Protocol has overcome a significant hurdle to stablecoin use — the lack of trust. Its transparent, fair dispute resolution encourages more businesses and consumers to adopt stablecoins.Did you know? Circle’s Refund Protocol helps bridge the trust gap in crypto commerce by mimicking familiar Web2 refund experiences but in a decentralized way. It demonstrates how programmable money can unlock new consumer protection forms without sacrificing blockchain’s permissionless ethos. Challenges concerning the Refund Protocol The Refund Protocol faces hurdles in achieving widespread adoption and seamless functionality. Addressing these challenges is crucial for its scalability and integration into global payment systems.Here are the challenges the Refund Protocol is facing:Adoption by wallet providers: For the Refund Protocol to work smoothly, wallet providers must integrate it with the wallet. If a wallet doesn’t support specifying refund addresses or interacting with the Refund Protocol smart contract, both the payers and the sellers may not be able to use the full range of features. Gas costs and scalability: The Refund Protocol requires multiple interactions with the blockchain — payment deposits, withdrawals and dispute resolutions — each of which can incur gas costs. As the number of transactions grows, the fee may become prohibitive, particularly in high-volume applications. Legal and regulatory considerations: As stablecoins become more widely adopted, there may be legal and regulatory challenges regarding the enforceability of the protocol. The role of the arbiter in dispute resolution may need clarification under various jurisdictions, which could impact the global use of the protocol.Malicious arbiters: While the Refund Protocol minimizes the power of the arbiter, there is still the probability of misuse. A malicious arbiter could approve a refund that isn’t justified, leading to unfair outcomes. To mitigate this risk, auditing mechanisms and reputation systems could help ensure that arbiters act fairly and responsibly.Integration with traditional payment systems: As stablecoins gain popularity, there will likely be challenges in integrating them with traditional fiat-based systems. Most consumers are still accustomed to using credit cards or other payment methods, so ensuring that the Refund Protocol works seamlessly with both stablecoins and fiat currencies is a key challenge for the future.
Eight of the largest banks in the Middle East and North Africa region are now using JPMorgan's Kinexys blockchain platform for payments.
The feature aims to close the "last-mile" gap that has stalled mass crypto adoption in payments, co-founder and CEO Bam Azizi said.
Visa and Bridge are partnering on a new product that will allow developers to offer stablecoin-backed Visa cards.
Mastercard announced new stablecoin payment functionalities on April 28, aiming to enable consumers to spend stablecoins and merchants to receive them across its global network. The company is collaborating with crypto-native and fintech partners, including OKX and Nuvei, to integrate stablecoins into traditional payment flows. The initiative introduces a 360-degree framework covering wallet enablement, card […]
The post Mastercard launches stablecoin payment support via partnerships with major crypto companies appeared first on CryptoSlate.
The new card lets users pay directly from their self-custody MetaMask wallets without needing to preload or convert their crypto.
Circle, the issuer behind the USDC stablecoin, has firmly denied rumors suggesting it plans to apply for a US banking license. The firm’s Chief Strategy Officer, Dante Disparte, clarified on social media that Circle has no plans to become a bank or any other type of insured depository institution. Disparte emphasized that the firm is […]
The post Circle denies plans to become a bank, focuses on aligning with stablecoin regulations appeared first on CryptoSlate.
Payment giant PayPal is rolling out a new rewards initiative that will allow US users holding its PYUSD stablecoin to earn up to 3.7% interest annually, according to an April 23 statement. The program will begin this summer and be available across both PayPal and Venmo platforms. PYUSD reward program PYUSD is a US dollar-backed […]
The post PayPal shakes up stablecoin market with 3.7% interest rewards on PYUSD appeared first on CryptoSlate.
A growing number of leading crypto firms, including Circle, Coinbase, BitGo, and Paxos, are reportedly preparing to apply for banking licenses in the United States. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the firms are leveraging a wave of pro-crypto sentiment in Washington to advance their long-term plans. The report noted that each […]
The post Crypto giants Circle and Coinbase reportedly eye US banking licenses amid regulatory thaw appeared first on CryptoSlate.