Global banking heavyweight Banco Santander is quietly laying the groundwork to enter the stablecoin space, eyeing fiat-pegged digital tokens as part of a broader strategy to offer crypto services to retail clients.
While the initiative is still in its infancy, insiders suggest Santander is evaluating the feasibility of issuing both dollar- and euro-denominated stablecoins. This development comes as several major financial institutions, including JPMorgan and Citigroup, reportedly consider similar ventures, encouraged by a more favorable regulatory climate under the Trump administration.
Proponents argue that stablecoins offer an efficient way to digitize traditional currency, enabling faster payments, widening access to financial services, and reinforcing U.S. dollar supremacy globally. However, the idea isn’t universally embraced.
Tensions are rising within the banking sector, where some fear that interest-bearing stablecoins could siphon off deposits and disrupt the traditional lending model. At a recent blockchain summit, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand voiced concerns that such products could undermine local banks that rely on consumer deposits for loan issuance.
Financial experts like NYU professor Austin Campbell warn that opposing stablecoin innovation mainly benefits the entrenched banking elite. He criticized efforts to restrict yield-bearing tokens as anti-competitive and anti-consumer.
Despite the friction, Santander’s potential entry into the stablecoin arena underscores a growing recognition that digital finance is no longer optional—it’s inevitable.
Crypto exchange Bitget has introduced a new investment product, BGUSD, a yield-generating stable asset tied to real-world financial instruments like U.S. Treasury bills and top-tier money market funds.
A growing number of banks are quietly integrating Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure to improve cross-border transactions, opting for a hybrid model that doesn’t require replacing their legacy systems.
Several of America’s largest banks—including entities tied to JPMorgan, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo—are exploring the creation of a shared stablecoin, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Sean Neville, co-founder of Circle and current CEO of Catena Labs, has launched a bold new venture aimed at building a financial system built specifically for the age of artificial intelligence.