Fed Research Reveals Stablecoin Policy Framework
Federal Reserve publishes comprehensive analysis of payment stablecoins' monetary policy implications while ECB unveils new Eurosystem payments strategy embracing tokenization and digital assets.
Market Moves
Swift to run live tokenized deposit payments on blockchain MVP in 2026
Swift announces plans for live tokenized deposit payments on blockchain MVP in 2026, advancing institutional settlement infrastructure for on-chain banking operations.
Forex startup OpenFX raises $94 million to expand stablecoin powered cross-border payments
Foreign exchange startup OpenFX raises $94 million to expand stablecoin-powered cross-border payment infrastructure, targeting institutional FX market inefficiencies.
South Korea’s KB Card taps Avalanche for ‘hybrid’ stablecoin credit card
South Korea’s KB Card partners with Avalanche to develop hybrid stablecoin credit card system, enabling customers to use digital assets on existing payment infrastructure.
https://www.theblock.co/post/395846/kb-card-taps-avalanche-stablecoin
Regulation & Policy
Eurosystem sets out comprehensive strategy for future of European payments
ECB publishes comprehensive payments strategy for the Eurosystem addressing digitalization and distributed ledger technology, setting dual-track approach for upgrading current systems while preparing for tokenized future.
https://www.ecb.europa.eu//press/pr/date/2026/html/ecb.pr260331~04561d8476.en.html
Chairman Selig Announces Formation of New Innovation Task Force
CFTC Chairman announces formation of new Innovation Task Force to address emerging financial technologies and market structure developments in derivatives markets.
https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9201-26
Research & Analysis
Payment Stablecoins and Cross Border Payments: Benefits and Implications for Monetary Policy Implementation
Federal Reserve publishes detailed analysis of how payment stablecoins affect cross-border payments and monetary policy implementation under the new regulatory framework. The research examines implications for central bank operations and financial stability.
‘Unstable velocity’: Standard Chartered says stablecoin usage rising faster than expected as new use cases emerge
Standard Chartered maintains $2 trillion stablecoin market forecast by 2028 despite accelerating turnover from AI payments and traditional finance adoption, noting potential demand caps from increased velocity.
Faster settlement may make for poorer markets
Analysis warns that atomic settlement’s instant capital requirements per trade could reduce market efficiency by eliminating netting benefits while concentrating power among liquidity coordinators.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/faster-settlement-poorer-markets
Tokenized Money
Piero Cipollone: The digital euro: preparing for a potential launch
ECB Executive Board member delivers keynote on digital euro preparations, outlining potential launch framework for Europe’s central bank digital currency initiative.
https://www.ecb.europa.eu//press/key/date/2026/html/ecb.sp260324~66f71f7577.en.html