⚡ Stablecoin for Retail

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

This week, the crypto-payments fusion goes full throttle—Stripe is buying, Coinbase is swiping, and Big Retail is testing blockchain rails.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

• Walmart & Amazon explore stablecoins to cut fees. ⚡

• Coinbase drops a Bitcoin rewards credit card. 💳

• Stripe acquires crypto wallet startup Privy. 🚀

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

Plus: The UK FCA teams up with NVIDIA, Alipay+ launches a cockpit for fintechs, and PowerUp bags funding for wealthtech domination, and more.

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Let’s dive in!

🌎 3 Major Stories

Dive into this week’s top Fintech developments.

Walmart & Amazon Eye Stablecoins: Payment Play Change ⚡

The Big Story 📰: Walmart and Amazon are diving headfirst into the world of stablecoins, potentially revolutionizing the payments landscape and saving billions in transaction fees. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, other major companies like Expedia Group and significant airlines are also contemplating similar moves, signaling a shift in payment processing particularly for high-volume merchants. The efforts coincide with the Senate's advancement of the GENIUS Act, which aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for stablecoins, ensuring they are fully reserved and regulated. Proponents argue that these developments could enhance consumer protection and reinforce the dollar's status globally.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: The exploration of stablecoins by giants like Walmart and Amazon indicates a critical evolution in retail payments that could reshape competitive dynamics across industries. As companies look to slash transaction costs and speed up payment processes, banks and fintech firms must prepare for the ripple effects of regulatory changes ushered in by the GENIUS Act. With more than 120 amendments proposed, the final bill may redefine the entire payments ecosystem, tackling broader financial regulations along with stablecoin specifics. As the market anticipates the outcomes of this regulatory framework, merchants must consider how to leverage stablecoins for greater efficiency and lower fees, while remaining vigilant about potential systemic risks.

Coinbase Unveils Bitcoin-Backed Credit Card 💳✨

The Big Story 📰: Coinbase has officially launched the Coinbase One Card, allowing users to earn up to 4% bitcoin back on every purchase. This initiative takes the concept of crypto spending to a new level, offering a unique blend of convenience and reward for users actively engaged in cryptocurrency. The Coinbase One membership serves as a prerequisite for obtaining the card, marking an effort by Coinbase to foster deeper customer loyalty and crypto usage. For a trial period, users can sign up for free for seven days, enabling them to explore the benefits before committing long-term. This latest development reflects a growing trend among fintech companies to blend traditional payment methods with the allure of crypto incentives.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: The Coinbase One Card represents a significant step in making cryptocurrency more accessible and integrated into everyday spending. Earning bitcoin back on purchases is not only a unique selling point but also encourages consumers to accumulate crypto actively. As more users adopt digital currencies, this could lead to increased transactions and overall engagement in the crypto ecosystem. Investors and fintech enthusiasts should keep an eye on such innovations, as they point towards broader financial trends where cryptocurrency becomes a standard component of consumer finance, driving growth across the sector.

Stripe Snags Crypto Wallet Privy for Growth 🚀

The Big Story 📰: Payments giant Stripe is making a significant move by acquiring Privy, a New York-based crypto wallet startup, although the financial details remain undisclosed. Founded in 2021, Privy boasts an API that allows developers to create crypto wallets securely and integrate on-chain systems seamlessly. With over 75 million accounts activated and billions in transactions facilitated, Privy has quickly become an essential player in various sectors, including fintech, DeFi, and gaming. This acquisition will allow Stripe to offer advanced financial services by integrating Privy's technology into its existing platform while enabling Privy to operate independently post-acquisition.

Key Takeaway ⚡️: Stripe's acquisition of Privy reflects its strategic commitment to enhancing its financial technology stack, particularly in the burgeoning crypto space. By unifying Privy’s wallet capabilities with Stripe's established payment infrastructure, the partnership has the potential to streamline user experiences and lower friction in crypto transactions. This move is essential for developers seeking to incorporate crypto functionalities into their applications effortlessly. The merger signals to other fintech firms that embracing blockchain technology and crypto solutions could be pivotal for future growth, making it a noteworthy development in the fintech landscape.

🔍 What Else We’re Watching

Keep an eye on these evolving Fintech Narratives.

• FCA & NVIDIA Launch AI Sandbox 💡: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is teaming up with NVIDIA to launch a Supercharged Sandbox aimed at supporting UK financial firms in experimenting with AI. This initiative provides companies with access to enhanced data, technical expertise, and regulatory support, enabling them to innovate and develop AI solutions. Companies can apply to use this sandbox via the FCA's website, with experimentation slated to begin in October 2025. The partnership underscores a commitment to economic growth and the responsible integration of AI into the financial sector.

• Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit: A Game Changer for Fintechs 🤯: Ant International has launched its Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit, an AI-as-a-Service platform designed to empower fintechs and super apps in creating AI-native services. This innovative tool automates essential tasks like customer onboarding and fraud prevention, making fintech operations smoother than ever. Set to officially debut in Southeast and South Asia by June 2025, the Cockpit combines advanced AI security and specialized financial expertise, utilizing over 20 LLMs to tackle compliance and risk management effectively. The future of fintech looks brighter with AI at the helm!

• OpenAI's ARR Soars to $10B 📈: OpenAI has announced a remarkable leap in annual recurring revenue (ARR), hitting $10 billion—an 82% jump from last year’s $5.5 billion. This figure reflects its consumer and business products but excludes revenue from major licensing deals with Microsoft. As the revenue climbs, so do expenses; the company reported a hefty $5 billion loss in 2024. Despite this, OpenAI gained 1 million new paying business subscribers in just a few months, showing strong demand for its innovative tools. Its growing feature set, including Connectors and Record Mode, is set to enhance enterprise adoption further.

💸 Major Money Moves

Tracking big market shifts in Fintech this week.

• Tebi's €30M Boost: Adyen Co-founder's Bold Move 🚀: Tebi, the latest venture from former Adyen co-founder Arnout Schuijff, has secured €30 million in funding from Alphabet's CapitalG. This Amsterdam-based fintech is revolutionizing the hospitality sector with an all-in-one platform that manages payments, reservations, and inventory. With competitors growing, Tebi aims to stand out by offering enterprise-level functionality at SMB-friendly prices. Following a strong debut in the Netherlands, Schuijff plans to expand into the UK and beyond, doubling their workforce by year-end to enhance their services and integrate more AI features into their platform.

• Payrails Nets $32M to Simplify Payments 💰: Berlin's FinTech, Payrails, has just secured $32 million in its Series A funding round, marking one of the largest such rounds in Europe this year. This boost will expedite product innovation and support expansions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. With the global payments market set to exceed $1.7 trillion by 2025, Payrails aims to streamline complex enterprise payment operations, which are often burdened by outdated systems. Their specialized payment operating system enhances efficiency and agility, crucial for enterprises navigating evolving payment landscapes, especially regarding urgent transactions.

• PowerUp Money Hits Big with $7.1M 🎉: Wealthtech startup PowerUp Money has successfully raised $7.1 million in its inaugural institutional funding round, spearheaded by Accel, Blume Ventures, and Kae Capital, with additional support from 8i Ventures and DeVC. Founded in April by Prateek Jindal, this innovative platform offers tools like "Power Age" to help users understand their path to financial freedom. The fresh capital will enhance research, develop advisory products, and boost customer acquisition. With over Rs 3,000 crore (~$350 million) in assets already under management, PowerUp is gaining traction in the competitive Indian wealthtech landscape.

Thanks for reading and have a relaxing Sunday,

Derek,
Editor, Money Explored.