Cross-border Payments

Hong Kong has officially recognised stablecoins as legal payment tools rather than speculative assets. Authorities expect this will cut cross-border payment costs and require strict rules to ensure security and compliance.

Thailand has launched TouristDigiPay, a new scheme letting foreign visitors pay in crypto, which is automatically converted to Thai baht. The 18-month pilot includes ID checks, spending limits, and aims to make payments easier while boosting tourism and investment.

Taiwan’s WiseLink led a $10 million funding round for Nasdaq-listed Top Win International, helping the company buy Bitcoin and expand into digital assets. The deal makes WiseLink the first public Taiwanese firm to back a Bitcoin treasury strategy and aims to combine crypto holdings with cross-border business operations.

Citigroup plans to offer custody services for assets backing stablecoins and cryptocurrency ETFs, aiming to meet new US rules. The bank is also developing stablecoin payment solutions for faster cross-border transactions.

Stripe is developing its own blockchain, called Tempo, to make payments faster and cheaper while staying compatible with Ethereum. The project is linked to recent crypto-related acquisitions and could help Stripe compete with major payment networks.

Samsung Pay is now linked to the Coinbase app, letting users in the US and Canada buy and trade crypto more easily without switching apps. The update makes payments faster and safer, helping more people use crypto on their phones.

PayPal is making a bold move to reshape global payments with the unveiling of the PayPal World platform, designed to connect local digital wallets with PayPal’s vast global merchant network.

Western Union is testing stablecoin payments in Latin America and Africa to make money transfers faster and cheaper. The move follows a new US law that supports stablecoin use, and the company may launch the service later this year.

The US has started an investigation into Brazil’s trade policies, focusing on whether its Pix payment system unfairly affects American companies. Officials are also looking at tariffs, digital rules, and how Brazil treats US tech firms.

Thailand is testing a crypto sandbox to let tourists change digital assets into Thai baht for local spending. Approved exchanges will handle the conversions, with spending limits and ID checks to meet national rules.