Trace Finance Raises $32M to Scale Cross-Border Stablecoin Settlements

Bitcoin

This is not a repeat of past Gulf skirmishes—it is a multi-month blockade against the world's most critical energy chokepoint, affecting 20% of global oil supply. The resulting energy crisis will force central banks to choose between fighting inflation (rate hikes) or averting recession (accommodation), creating a stagflationary environment that historically crushes equities and crypto alike in the near term.

US and Israel started a war against Iran in late February, leading to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz for over three months.

Strait of Hormuz Closure Enters Fourth Month, Crypto Market Braces for Energy Shock

The Hormuz closure could force energy trade into crypto settlement, boosting stablecoin demand and Bitcoin as a neutral reserve asset.

Mastercard Expands Stablecoin Settlement to Weekend and Holiday Processing

Visa and Brale Explore Private Stablecoin Settlement on Canton Network

Mastercard Opens 24/7 Settlement for Six Stablecoins Across Eight Blockchains

Mastercard Adds USDC and Ripple's RLUSD to Stablecoin Settlement Network

Mastercard Adds Stablecoins, Weekend Settlement to Global Network

Mastercard Adds USDC, PYUSD, RLUSD for Stablecoin Settlement

Bitcoin.com Launches Self-Custodial Merchant Payments App With Stablecoin Settlement

Mastercard Adds Weekend, Holiday Settlement Windows via Stablecoins

Fireblocks Launches Flow, a Stablecoin Payment Solution for PSPs and Fintechs

Mastercard to Offer Stablecoin Settlement, Weekend and Holiday Payments

Coinbase Taps Checkout.com for Stablecoin Merchant Payments

Move-Based Blockchain Network Secures Licensed Payment Access in US, Canada, EU

Coinbase Taps Standard Chartered for Multi-Currency Institutional Funding

Visa Adds Five New Blockchain Networks to Its Stablecoin Settlement Program

Banking Circle Launches EU‑Compliant Stablecoin Settlement Service

Coinbase Introduces CUSHY Tokenized Credit Strategy

Visa Expands Crypto Pilot to Include Polygon and Base Blockchains

Banking Circle Secures EU MiCA License, Launches Stablecoin Settlement Service for Banks

USDC Liquidity in Asia Surges as Cross‑Border Demand Soars

Jack Dorsey Links Block AI Efficiency to Staff Reductions

Mastercard Integrates SoFiUSD for Global Card Settlements