Payment industry titans are making aggressive moves into cryptocurrency and stablecoin technology, with PayPal CEO Alex Chriss declaring "2026 is going to be massive" as the $56 billion payment giant integrates blockchain solutions across its platform. The shift represents a fundamental transformation as traditional fintech firms embrace crypto infrastructure following the July 2025 enactment of the GENIUS Act.
Klarna announced plans to launch KlarnaUSD, a stablecoin scheduled for mainnet launch in 2026 on Stripe's Tempo blockchain. Meanwhile, Revolut is expanding its crypto team with 11 open positions, signaling major investment in digital asset capabilities. These moves position established fintech companies to compete directly with crypto-native firms in the rapidly evolving payments landscape.
The GENIUS Act provides the first comprehensive regulatory framework for stablecoins in the United States, requiring federal or state supervision and mandating 100% reserve backing with liquid assets. This regulatory clarity has unleashed the first wave of stablecoin innovation, with industry leaders predicting stablecoins will evolve from crypto settlement tools into core payment infrastructure by year-end.