The GENIUS Act would legitimize stablecoins for institutional adoption and set a precedent for other global jurisdictions, according to the managing partner of DWF Labs. Stablecoin adoption among institutions could surge as the United States Senate prepares to debate a key piece of legislation aimed at regulating the sector. After failing to gain support from key Democrats on May 8, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act passed the US Senate in a 66–32 procedural vote on May 20 and is now heading to a debate on the Senate floor. The bill seeks to set clear rules for stablecoin collateralization and mandate compliance with Anti-Money Laundering laws. Read more
"Invisible" crypto infrastructure provider SukuPay is now integrated into Guatemala's biggest banking provider, Banco Industrial. Guatemala’s largest bank, Banco Industrial, has integrated crypto infrastructure provider SukuPay into its mobile banking app, allowing locals to more easily receive remittances powered by blockchain technology. SukuPay’s infrastructure has been fully embedded inside the Zigi payment app, allowing Guatemalans to receive funds from the United States instantly for a $0.99 flat fee, the company disclosed on May 21. Users of the Zigi app do not need a crypto wallet or an International Bank Account Number (IBAN) to receive the funds, the company said. Read more
Hong Kong's Legislative Council has passed the Stablecoin Bill, paving the way for licensed fiat-backed stablecoin issuers by year-end and positioning the region as a potential global Web3 hub. Hong Kong’s Legislative Council passed the Stablecoin Bill, paving the way for a regulated framework that could position the region as a global leader in digital assets and Web3 development. In a May 21 post on X, Legislative Council member Johnny Ng Kit-Chong said the bill had passed its third reading, clearing the final hurdle for adoption. “It is expected that by the end of this year, major institutions will be able to apply to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority to become licensed stablecoin issuers,” Ng said. Read more
Yield-bearing stablecoins have surged to $11 billion, driven by regulatory shifts and increasing user demand, with Pendle capturing 30% of that. Yield-bearing stablecoins have soared to $11 billion in circulation, representing 4.5% of the total stablecoin market, a steep climb from just $1.5 billion and a 1% market share at the start of 2024. One of the biggest winners is Pendle, a decentralized protocol that enables users to lock in fixed yields or speculate on variable interest rates. Pendle now accounts for 30% of all yield-bearing stablecoin total value locked (TVL), roughly $3 billion, the firm said in a report shared with Cointelegraph. Pendle noted that stablecoins make up 83% of its $4 billion total value locked, a sharp rise from less than 20% just a year ago. In contrast, assets such as Ether (ETH), which historically contributed 80%–90% of Pendle’s TVL, have shrunk to less than 10%. Read more
Bold Technologies and My Aion unveiled plans to develop a $2.5 billion AI-powered platform that will debut in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi-based Bold Technologies, a subsidiary of conglomerate Bold Holdings, has partnered with international artificial intelligence company My Aion to launch a $2.5 billion smart-city initiative aimed at transforming urban infrastructure through AI. The companies announced the development of a platform called Aion Sentia Cognitive City, which manages complex urban systems. The platform will be powered by Maia, an AI core engine developed by My Aion, and aims to optimize and manage systems across mobility, energy, education, healthcare and digital services. My Aion CEO Daniele Marinelli said the AI will know the user well enough to “recommend the perfect place for your anniversary dinner and book it for you without you lifting a finger.” Read more