Western Union to Launch USDPT Stablecoin on Solana by Mid-2026

Core Insights - Western Union plans to launch a US Dollar Payment Token (USDPT) stablecoin on the Solana blockchain, expected to be available in the first half of 2026 [1][2] - The stablecoin will be issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, and users will access USDPT through partner exchanges, combining Western Union's digital footprint with Solana's technology [2] - A Digital Asset Network will be established to provide cash off-ramps for digital assets, allowing customers to convert crypto holdings into fiat currency at Western Union retail locations [3] Market Context - The stablecoin sector recorded a monthly transfer volume of $4.30 trillion as of October 28, marking a 35.68% increase over the previous 30 days, with monthly active addresses growing by 20.89% to 32.41 million [4] - Tether Holdings leads the market with a capitalization of $179 billion, representing 60.47% of the sector, while Circle follows with $73 billion, accounting for 24.68% [4] Strategic Rationale - Western Union's CEO, Devin McGranahan, indicated that the initiative allows the company to control the economics of stablecoins, citing recent US regulatory changes, including the GENIUS Act, as supportive of this strategy [5] - The company's revenue declined by 6% in the first quarter, prompting a shift towards digital asset integration to stimulate growth [5] Industry Developments - The announcement coincides with the launch of the first US spot Solana ETP on the NYSE, with Bitwise's $BSOL beginning trading on October 28 [6]