Banks Race to Stablecoin Licenses
Major banks secure stablecoin licenses in Hong Kong while US institutions file trademarks and explore tokenized infrastructure, as regulators clarify deposit insurance exclusions and CBDC restrictions
Market Moves
Wells Fargo files trademark for WFUSD, hinting at potential bank stablecoin
Wells Fargo files trademark for ‘WFUSD’, suggesting the major U.S. bank is preparing to launch its own stablecoin for payments and trading services.
https://crypto.news/wells-fargo-files-trademark-for-wfusd/
Singapore based MetaComp raises $35 million in funding backed by Alibaba
Singapore based MetaComp raises $35 million from Alibaba to bridge traditional payment rails with stablecoin settlement infrastructure, signaling growing enterprise adoption.
https://www.theblock.co/post/393509/metacomp-raises-35-million-alibaba
Crypto accounting startup Cryptio lands $45M as institutions move onchain
Crypto accounting startup Cryptio secures $45 million as institutions increasingly move onchain, driving demand for digital asset reconciliation and audit systems.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/cryptio-raises-45m-crypto-accounting-tokenized-finance
Regulation & Policy
FDIC Moves to Exclude Stablecoins From Deposit Insurance
FDIC Chairman clarifies that stablecoins will not receive deposit insurance coverage under the GENIUS Act, even through indirect ‘pass-through’ arrangements with banks.
Senate Overwhelmingly Passes CBDC Ban Attached to Bipartisan Housing Bill
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes housing bill with CBDC ban amendment, prohibiting Federal Reserve digital currency issuance through 2030, though House passage remains uncertain.
https://decrypt.co/360905/senate-overwhelmingly-passes-cbdc-ban-bipartisan-housing-bill
HSBC, Standard Chartered to be first recipients of Hong Kong stablecoin licenses: reports
HSBC and Standard Chartered are set to become Hong Kong’s first licensed stablecoin issuers, giving two major note-issuing banks central roles in the city’s digital asset hub strategy.
https://www.theblock.co/post/393502/hsbc-standard-chartered-hong-kong-stablecoin
SEC working on ‘narrower’ exemption for tokenized securities: Hester Peirce
SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce calls for narrower exemptions for tokenized securities on a rule-by-rule basis rather than blanket approaches, as the agency works on targeted relief.
https://www.theblock.co/post/393487/sec-narrower-exemption-tokenized-securities
Research & Analysis
With Billions to Spend, Tether Finds New Allies in Washington
Bloomberg profiles Tether’s $122 billion Treasury holdings and Washington influence campaign, highlighting the stablecoin issuer’s strategic positioning for long-term U.S. operations.
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2026-tether-usa-crypto-ambitions
European watchdog has eye on tokenisation as adoption set to soar
European Securities and Markets Authority warns of tokenization risks as momentum builds through interoperability frameworks and regulatory clarity, requiring enhanced oversight.
https://www.thetradenews.com/european-watchdog-has-eye-on-tokenisation-as-adoption-set-to-soar
Tokenized Money
Metaplanet Deepens Bitcoin Strategy With $25M Investment Plan, New Venture Arm
Metaplanet launches venture capital and asset management subsidiaries while backing Japan’s first licensed yen stablecoin, deepening its digital asset infrastructure strategy.
https://decrypt.co/360812/metaplanet-bitcoin-strategy-new-venture-arm-investment-plan