Bank of England Governor Signals Potential Role for a Retail CBDC if Commercial Banks Lag on Innovation
In a significant address at the Group of Thirty’s 39th Annual International Banking Seminar in Washington, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey stressed the importance of modernising the UK’s payment infrastructure. Bailey highlighted the urgent need for reforms in cross-border and wholesale payment systems, where speed, cost-efficiency, transparency, and access remain pressing issues. He argued […]
Stripe Acquires Stablecoin Platform Bridge for $1.1 Billion, Signalling Major Step into Digital Assets
In a landmark acquisition, Stripe, the global payments processor, has acquired stablecoin platform Bridge for $1.1 billion. This acquisition, confirmed by Stripe and Bridge, marks Stripe’s largest acquisition to date and one of the most significant in the cryptocurrency sector. Bridge, founded by entrepreneurs Sean Yu and Zach Abrams, has emerged as a prominent software […]
Transforming Asset Servicing With AI, Oracles, and Blockchains: Chainlink, Avalanche, Swift, Euroclear, UBS, and Others Join Forces
A new industry initiative led by Chainlink and eight major financial market infrastructures and institutions aims to revolutionise corporate actions processing by leveraging advancements in AI, oracles, and blockchain technology. This ambitious multi-phase project seeks to solve one of the most pressing issues in financial markets— the lack of real-time, standardised data, particularly in fragmented […]
Avalanche Expands Crypto Utility with Launch of Visa-Backed ‘Avalanche Card’
Avalanche has announced the launch of the Avalanche Card, a crypto-friendly payment solution designed to facilitate everyday spending of digital assets like WAVAX, USDC, and sAVAX. The card, powered by Rain Liquidity, allows users to make purchases anywhere Visa is accepted, with the convenience of both physical and virtual cards. Initially available to residents in […]
Travers Smith joins the Digital Pound Foundation’s membership community to co-lead its Policy, Legal and Regulatory Working Group
We are excited to announce the addition of Travers Smith to the Digital Pound Foundation (DPF) as Associate Members. Partner Natalie Lewis will also Co-Chair the DPF’s Policy, Legal and Regulatory working group. Alongside Chris Glennie, Partner at CMS, Natalie will take a leading role in driving the Foundation’s policy and regulatory engagement agenda and […]
Tokenization and DLT Set to Reshape European Financial Systems
In a notable speech this week, European Central Bank (ECB) Director Piero Cipollone advocated for the creation of a European ledger to support tokenization in capital markets. This would serve as the EU’s equivalent of a Unified Ledger. Cipollone acknowledged the difficulties in establishing a traditional Capital Markets Union, particularly the need for greater legal […]
Agant joins the Digital Pound Foundation to support development of a GBP stablecoin ecosystem
We are delighted to announce the addition of Agant to the Digital Pound Foundation as Associate Members. Among other planned activities, Agant intends to take an active part in the DPF’s Policy, Legal and Regulatory Working Group. Agant is building a pound sterling stablecoin (GBPA), domiciled and regulated in the UK. It aims to provide […]
Visa Partners with Spanish Banking Giant BBVA for 2025 Stablecoin Launch
BBVA, the Spanish banking giant, is preparing to enter the stablecoin market, with plans to launch its own digital asset in 2025, supported by Visa. According to Francisco Maroto, BBVA’s head of digital assets and blockchain, the bank is currently participating in a new Visa programme designed to help firms develop their own tokenised assets. […]
Russia Adjusts Digital Rouble Rollout, Mandating CBDC Acceptance by July 2025
Elvira Nabiullina, the Governor of the Bank of Russia, has confirmed that the digital rouble, the nation’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), remains on track for its mass rollout in July 2025. This announcement follows adjustments to the digital rouble’s pilot programme and new obligations for banks and merchants regarding CBDC adoption. Earlier reports indicated […]
Bank of England Addresses Opportunities and Risks of Digital Assets in Recent Speech
In a recent address during Digital Assets Week in London, Sasha Mills of the Bank of England discussed the evolving landscape of digital assets and payments, highlighting both the opportunities and risks these innovations present in achieving the Bank’s monetary and financial stability objectives. Mills expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the event, emphasising the […]
