Custodia Bank CEO Caitlin Long alleges the US Federal Reserve is enacting policies that favor big banks in the stablecoin market, despite claims of easing crypto regulations. She criticized the Fed for rescinding some restrictive crypto policies while maintaining a rule from January 2023 that restricts banks from directly interacting with digital assets. This, according to Long, creates an uneven playing field that benefits established financial institutions over newer crypto-focused entities.

Mastercard is expanding its payment capabilities by integrating stablecoins into its network. Partnering with crypto and fintech companies like OKX and Nuvei, the company will allow consumers to spend stablecoins and merchants to receive them. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between traditional payment systems and digital currencies, creating a comprehensive framework for wallet enablement and card functionalities.