Tag: stablecoin-focused
Barclays Backs Stablecoin Settlement Technology in First Equity Deal
The post Barclays Backs Stablecocom. Barclays took its first equity stake in a stablecoin-focused startup, Ubyx. Stablecoins are increasingly viewed as tools for faster, regulated payments. Fintech giants like Stripe and Mastercard are expanding stablecoin use cases. Major financial institutions are stepping up investments in stablecoin infrastructure, hinting that digital dollars are moving closer to the core of the global payments system rather than remaining a niche crypto product. This week, Barclays confirmed it has taken an equity stake in U. S.-based startup Ubyx, marking the bank’s first direct investment in a company focused entirely on stablecoins. The move shows growing interest among traditional lenders in tokenized forms of cash that operate under existing regulatory rules. According to reports, a spokesperson said, “This investment aligns with Barclays’ approach to explore opportunities based on new forms of digital money, such as stablecoins.” Earlier, Barclays joined a group of global lenders examining the possibility of issuing fully backed digital money tied to major currencies. Barclays said the investment fits its broader effort to explore tokenized money while staying inside regulatory boundaries. The bank did not disclose how much it invested or the company’s valuation. Payments Giants Make Their Moves Barclays is not alone. Across the payments industry, large firms are committing capital to stablecoin-related technology. Payments company Stripe agreed to buy stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge for about $1. 1 billion, betting that stablecoins will become an important layer for always-on international payments and corporate cash management. At the same time, Mastercard has teamed up with Fiserv to develop card products that allow spending directly from stablecoin balances, blending digital assets with existing payment rails. In emerging markets, funding is also flowing. Indian fintech Speed recently raised capital from Tether and other investors to expand Bitcoin and stablecoin payments using the Lightning Network. Regulators Set the Guardrails As adoption grows,.
XPL Rallies After Plasma Reveals Collaboration with Daylight Energy
The post XPL Rallies After Plasma Reveals Collaboration with Daylight Energy appeared com. Daylight’s GRID stablecoin and sGRID yield-bearing token connect decentralized finance with energy revenues. Plasma’s native token XPL surged after the stablecoin-focused Layer 1 blockchain unveiled a partnership with Daylight Energy to launch GRID, a stablecoin, and sGRID, a yield-bearing token. PL rose 10%, trading at $0. 325 with a market capitalization of $607 million. According to Plasma which has a total value locked (TVL) of $2. 7 billion GRID will be issued by M0, fully backed, and redeemable instantly. Meanwhile, sGRID will allow holders to earn a yield based on Daylight Energy’s electricity revenues. The companies said this is the first time investors can gain on-chain exposure to electricity yields through a single token. The partnership underscores how blockchain is increasingly connecting with real-world infrastructure to create new and innovative ways for investors to earn yield. “Our power grids are straining from an explosion in electricity demand, with rates outpacing inflation and blackouts surging,” Plasma writes.” With GRID and sGRID, Plasma expands its ecosystem of yield-earning tokens. The Layer 1 blockchain, which launched its mainnet beta on Sept. 25, 2025, has focused heavily on stablecoins and other yield-bearing assets. This comes as the stablecoin sector’s total market capitalization has surpassed $304 billion, up significantly from $206 billion at the start of the year, according to DeFiLlama. The news of the GRID and sGRID follows several recent moves by Plasma, including a separate partnership with oracle provider Chainlink and decentralized finance (DeFi) lending protocol Aave to expand its ecosystem. And prior to that, Swarm, a regulated DeFi platform with a TVL of around $7 million, announced plans to launch nine tokenized equities on the Plasma blockchain ahead.
The New York Times
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