Core Insights - Fiserv and the Bank of North Dakota have partnered to launch the "Roughrider" stablecoin, making North Dakota the second U.S. state to introduce its own digital currency [1][2] Group 1: Stablecoin Launch - The North Dakota stablecoin will be integrated into Fiserv's digital asset platform alongside Fiserv's own stablecoin, FIUSD, which is set to launch next year [2][3] - The Roughrider coin aims to enhance bank-to-bank transactions, promote global money movement, and drive merchant adoption [5] Group 2: Fiserv's Digital Platform - Fiserv's digital platform, announced in June, is designed to leverage its extensive network of 10,000 financial institutions, six million merchant locations, and 90 billion annual transactions to scale its stablecoin [3] - All coins on Fiserv's platform will be interoperable, facilitating efficient interbank money movement with a payment rail that is always open [6] Group 3: Regulatory Context - The launch of the Roughrider coin follows Wyoming's introduction of the Frontier Stable Token and the passage of the Genius Act, which provides a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins [4]

Core Insights - The Bank of North Dakota and Fiserv are launching Roughrider Coin, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, set to debut in 2026 [1][3] - Roughrider Coin will operate on Fiserv's digital asset platform, FIUSD, and will be available to banks and credit unions in North Dakota [1][3] - The coin aims to enhance bank-to-bank transactions, promote global money movement, and drive merchant adoption, although challenges remain regarding consumer protections [3] Company Developments - Fiserv launched the FIUSD platform in June, enabling banks and credit unions to issue and transfer dollar-backed digital assets [1] - Mastercard plans to integrate FIUSD into its global payments network, making Roughrider Coin the first state-issued stablecoin on the Solana blockchain [2] - The Bank of North Dakota has been authorized to develop a beta version of Roughrider Coin, with oversight from the North Dakota Industrial Commission [6][7] Regulatory Context - The Roughrider Coin aligns with the GENIUS Act, which established a national framework for payment stablecoins, supporting faster and more secure transactions [6] - The initiative reflects North Dakota's commitment to innovation in finance and industry, as highlighted by Governor Kelly Armstrong [4][5]

Core Insights - Bank of North Dakota, in partnership with Fiserv, is set to launch Roughrider Coin, the first state-backed stablecoin in the US, fully backed by US dollars and aimed at enhancing financial transactions [1][2] - The launch is scheduled for 2026 and will be available to North Dakota banks and credit unions, focusing on improving bank-to-bank transactions, global payments, and merchant adoption [1][2] Group 1: Stablecoin Launch - Roughrider Coin will utilize Fiserv's digital asset platform and blockchain technology to facilitate faster digital payments [1][3] - The initiative is part of North Dakota's strategy to create a secure and efficient financial ecosystem, as highlighted by Governor Kelly Armstrong [2] Group 2: Market Context - The global stablecoin market has surpassed $313 billion, marking a 21.4% increase since July, driven by improved regulatory clarity in the US [4] - Existing stablecoin players like Tether and Circle are enhancing their offerings by investing in new Layer-1 chains to increase utility [4][5] - New entrants, such as the Trump-backed USD1, have quickly gained market capitalization, indicating a growing interest in stablecoins [5]

Core Viewpoint - North Dakota is set to launch a USD-backed stablecoin named "Roughrider Coin" in partnership with Fiserv, aiming for a pilot launch in 2026 [1][2][6] Group 1: Stablecoin Development - North Dakota will become the second US state to issue its own stablecoin, following Wyoming's lead [2][7] - The stablecoin will be backed by real money, contributing to a secure financial ecosystem for residents [3][6] - The pilot launch will involve banks and credit unions, although specific technical details are currently lacking [6][7] Group 2: Historical Context - The stablecoin is named after President Teddy Roosevelt's cavalry regiment, reflecting a historical connection to North Dakota [4][5] - Roosevelt, while not a native, spent significant time in North Dakota, which adds to the coin's significance [5] Group 3: Industry Implications - The initiative represents a significant step towards cryptocurrency adoption in the US, with North Dakota potentially paving the way for other states to follow suit [7] - The process of selecting a blockchain for the stablecoin may take time, similar to Wyoming's experience [6][7]

Core Insights - North Dakota is launching a state-backed stablecoin named Roughrider coin, fully backed by U.S. dollars, aimed at enhancing bank-to-bank transactions and global money movement [2][4] - The initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize the financial ecosystem in North Dakota, leveraging recent federal law changes [3][4] - The Roughrider coin will be available to banks and credit unions in North Dakota starting in 2026 [2] Group 1: Stablecoin Development - The Roughrider coin is designed to facilitate faster and more secure transactions, integrating traditional finance with blockchain technology [5][6] - The stablecoin will be the first to launch on Fiserv's digital asset platform, which aims to provide efficient digital payment services [4][5] - North Dakota's approach is seen as a pioneering move among U.S. states, following Wyoming's launch of its own stablecoin [7] Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - The partnership with Fiserv allows North Dakota to utilize an existing secure blockchain infrastructure, avoiding the need to develop new systems from scratch [7] - Fiserv's COO emphasized the importance of combining traditional finance reliability with blockchain innovation for improved digital payments [5] Group 3: Regulatory and Economic Context - The North Dakota Industrial Commission supports the stablecoin initiative, highlighting its potential to enhance the state's financial sector [6] - The Roughrider coin is positioned to create a foundation for broader merchant adoption of stablecoins in the future [7]

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Former Fiserv Chief Executive Frank Bisignano, who left the payments processor earlier this year after President Donald Trump tapped him to lead the Social Security Administration, has been appointed as CEO of the Internal Revenue Service as well. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is acting commissioner for the IRS, announced Bisignano’s appoin ...

Core Insights - Fiserv, Inc. has acquired Smith Consulting Group (SCG), enhancing its operational consulting services for community banks and credit unions in the US [1] - The acquisition aims to strengthen Fiserv's position as a provider of core banking and advisory services, facilitating end-to-end transformation for its clients [1][1] - Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed [1] Company Strategy - The addition of SCG allows Fiserv to embed deeper expertise into its service model, enabling earlier and smarter advisory solutions for financial institutions [1][1] - Fiserv and SCG have been partners for over a decade, indicating a strong historical relationship in supporting community banks and credit unions [1][1] Service Offerings - SCG provides consulting services across various Fiserv banking platforms, including DNA, Signature, and Bank Intelligence [1] - The consulting services focus on banking software system conversions, core operations, customer service, online and mobile banking, and other interfaces [1][1] Industry Position - Fiserv is recognized as a global enabler of payments and financial technology, committed to innovation in account processing, digital banking, and merchant services [1] - The acquisition of SCG aligns with Fiserv's goal to help financial institutions achieve growth with speed, clarity, and confidence [1][1]

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Fiserv is acquiring StoneCastle Cash Management, a cash management firm that provides banks liquidity, and will leverage the firm’s platform to bolster its FIUSD stablecoin, the payments giant said Monday in a press release. Fiserv said the StoneCastle acquisition will allow it to become “a technology-enabled source of billions of dollars of institut ...

This story was originally published on Payments Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Payments Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Payment processing giant Fiserv said Thursday it has acquired a financial technology consulting firm, Smith Consulting Group, in a deal to help it offer community banks and credit unions “deep subject matter expertise” on the technology platforms they use to run their operations. About 70 people are joining Fiserv in the sale and will integrate withi ...

Core Viewpoint - U.S. companies are increasingly borrowing in euros, with bond sales reaching a record $100 billion in 2024, driven by favorable European funding conditions and a shift away from the dollar [1][2]. Group 1: Market Trends - The offshore fundraising, termed "reverse Yankees," has surged from just over $78 billion for the entirety of 2024, indicating a strong trend towards euro-denominated debt [2]. - The dollar has dropped by 10% this year, influenced by concerns over U.S. trade policy, while the European Central Bank is advocating for a "global euro moment" [2]. - There is a significant trend of asset reallocation towards euros, as indicated by fund flows favoring euro-denominated debt among global issuers [3]. Group 2: Issuance Details - The current cost of issuing bonds in euros, after currency swaps to dollars, is better or comparable for U.S. companies compared to issuing in dollars [5]. - Non-financial firms have led the increase in reverse Yankee issuance, selling nearly 50 billion euros ($59 billion) of bonds, marking a 32% year-on-year increase [5]. - U.S. financial firms have nearly doubled their euro-denominated bond issuance to approximately 35 billion euros this year [7]. Group 3: Notable Companies - Major companies such as Alphabet, Visa, PepsiCo, Fiserv, and Verizon have recently engaged in euro-denominated bond sales, with Alphabet raising almost 7 billion euros in May [6].