🚀 Stablecoins Set to Soar

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Hey Fintech Explorers—Welcome back to Money Explored, the essential Sunday newsletter to stay ahead in fintech!

Happy first day of June! If the past week is anything to go by, fintech isn’t slowing down for summer. Stablecoins are primed to explode, creator banking just got real, and Adyen’s killing the hardware game.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Stablecoins are set to soar to $3.7T by 2030 🚀

• Former CoinMarketCap exec is now pushing the Canton Network 🧠

• Karat’s launching banking for creators 💳

Plus: Dubai’s tokenized property pilot, Adyen’s iPhone Tap to Pay, and the latest funding news from Dojo, Conduit, and more.

It’s all happening—and that’s just the start…

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Let’s dive in!

🌎 3 Major Stories

Dive into this week’s top Fintech developments.

Stablecoins Set to Rocket to $3.7T by 2030 🚀

The Big Story 📰: The global stablecoin market is on the brink of explosive growth, with projections from the Citi Institute suggesting a valuation of $1.6 trillion by 2030, and as high as $3.7 trillion under optimistic conditions. As of March 2025, the stablecoin market was valued at $234 billion, signaling that even in a bearish scenario, an impressive 114% growth is expected in just five years. The rapid adoption of stablecoins as digital cash alternatives, coupled with their 24/7 transaction capabilities, points to a shift where consumers and businesses may increasingly prefer stablecoins for short-term savings and cross-border transactions. Institutional interest further solidifies their importance in ensuring liquidity and reducing costs in trade settlements.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: The anticipated growth of the stablecoin market could reshape the financial landscape, marking them as crucial players in both consumer and institutional finance. For fintech enthusiasts and investors, understanding the trajectory of stablecoins and their potential applications—ranging from remittances to interbank settlements—is vital. As traditional banks consider joint stablecoin initiatives, the forthcoming GENIUS Act highlights the need for regulation to ensure safety and trust in this expanding sector. The implications for the broader economy are significant, as stablecoins could enhance financial accessibility and efficiency, especially in regions with unstable fiat currencies.

Former CoinMarketCap CMO Joins Digital Asset 🧠

The Big Story 📰: Digital Asset, the New York-based innovator in institutional blockchain infrastructure and the driving force behind the Canton Network, has appointed Jonathan Isaac as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Isaac joins from CoinMarketCap, where he was instrumental in enhancing the brand's presence within the burgeoning crypto landscape. His previous experience includes a significant role at Gemini, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, and a diverse background in marketing with major brands such as BBC and Disney. In his new position, Isaac will spearhead global marketing efforts, focusing on amplifying awareness and adoption of the Canton Network, already recognized as a transformative force in financial markets.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: Jonathan Isaac's transition to Digital Asset marks a strategic move that underscores the growing importance of effective marketing in the fintech and blockchain sectors. His extensive experience in brand transformation is set to enhance the visibility and user adoption of the Canton Network, positioning it as a crucial infrastructure layer for financial markets. For industry stakeholders, this signals a priority on innovative marketing strategies to establish credibility and engagement in a competitive landscape. As patience for the crypto space evolves, Isaac's leadership could propel Digital Asset and its Canton Network into the limelight, driving further interest and investment growth.

Karat Financial Launches Creator Banking 🏦💳

The Big Story 📰: Karat Financial is reshaping the banking landscape for creators by launching a business banking product tailored specifically to their unique needs. Co-founder Eric Wei emphasizes that traditional banks often misunderstand creators, despite their success and influence. For instance, many creators, including those making millions, struggle with acquiring basic products like credit cards and bank accounts. Karat aims to bridge this gap with services like FDIC-insured business checking accounts and automated tax planning. The company has already extended $1.5 billion in credit, and this new banking product will further support the financial health of creators navigating their entrepreneurial journeys.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: Karat Financial's push for creator-centric banking reflects a pivotal shift in understanding the evolving landscape of the gig economy. By recognizing creators as legitimate businesses and offering specialized financial products, Karat is tapping into an underserved market, enabling creators to manage their finances effectively. This move not only enhances the financial stability of creators but also sets a precedent for how banks can innovate to meet the needs of a diverse clientele. As more creators prioritize financial wellness, traditional institutions may need to adapt or risk falling behind in a rapidly changing financial ecosystem.

🔍 What Else We’re Watching

Keep an eye on these evolving Fintech Narratives.

• Adyen Expands Tap to Pay to 7 EU Markets 🇪🇺: Adyen has launched its Tap to Pay on iPhone feature in seven new European countries—Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Iceland, Luxembourg, and Malta. This innovative solution allows businesses to accept contactless payments simply through an iPhone, without needing extra hardware. Customers can pay using their cards or digital wallets via NFC technology, ensuring secure transactions. Retailers like Suitsupply are already utilizing this feature, enhancing flexibility and improving the checkout process. Adyen's move underlines the trend toward seamless, hardware-free payment solutions in retail.

• Cathay Innovation Launches €1B AI Fund 🚀: Paris-based Cathay Innovation is making waves with its newly unveiled €1 billion fund, one of Europe's largest dedicated entirely to AI. The fund aims to support nearly 30 startups, investing at least €50 million in standout projects, helping them scale globally. With a focus on application-layer AI, it targets sectors like fintech and digital health, reflecting a commitment to driving industry innovation. Backed by notable corporate investors including Sanofi and BNP Paribas, Cathay plans to allocate half of its funds to European startups, nurturing the continent's tech ecosystem.

• Dubai's Bold Move into Tokenized Real Estate 🏢: The Dubai Land Department (DLD) has kicked off a pilot program for tokenized property investments using the Prypco Mint platform. For UAE residents, fractional ownership of Dubai real estate can start with just AED 2,000. The initiative is designed to establish guidelines for property tokenization and is backed by several regulators, including the Central Bank of the UAE. With expectations that tokenized real estate could represent 7% of the market by 2033, this move is set to reshape the investment landscape in Dubai, making it more accessible than ever.

💸 Major Money Moves

Tracking big market shifts in Fintech this week.

• Global Payments Sells Payroll Biz for $1.1B 💸: In a strategic move to streamline its operations, Global Payments has agreed to sell its payroll unit to fintech Acrisure for a cool $1.1 billion. This divestiture aims to sharpen its focus on core merchant solutions, following a series of significant transactions, including the $22.7 billion acquisition of Worldpay. CEO Cameron Bready notes this aligns with their ongoing transformation to boost shareholder value. As part of the deal, Global Payments will maintain a partnership with Acrisure, ensuring it continues to offer payroll services to its merchant clients. The deal is expected to close in the second half of the year, pending regulatory approval.

• Dojo Lands $190M to Expand Commerce Solutions 🚀: UK-based payment tech player, Dojo, has bagged a cool $190 million from Vitruvian Partners to supercharge its growth and set its sights on Europe. Since its 2021 launch, Dojo has attracted 140,000 businesses in the UK and processes up to 9 million transactions daily. The cash will enable them to reach new frontiers in countries like Ireland, Italy, and Spain, while continuing to enhance its cloud-native platform that uniquely blends in-person and digital payment solutions. With a keen focus on simplifying payment processes for SMBs and larger enterprises, Dojo is positioned to reshape the payment landscape.

• Conduit Lands $36M for Stablecoin Expansion 🌍: Conduit, a burgeoning cross-border payments platform, has successfully raised $36 million in a Series A funding round. Co-led by Dragonfly and Altos Ventures, this financing will fuel Conduit's efforts to enhance its global payment network. Aimed at integrating stablecoins with local currencies, the funding will support expansion into new markets and currency options. With a 16-fold increase in transaction volume from 2023 to 2024, Conduit leverages partnerships with banks worldwide to provide swift, cost-effective transfers while tackling challenges like high fees and limited USD access.

Thanks for reading and have a relaxing Sunday,

Derek,
Editor, Money Explored.