📊 BIG: Total stablecoin supply is up 33% this year to over $304B, with monthly adjusted volumes now exceeding Visa and PayPal, per Delphi Digital. https://t.co/Zfusjq9lCd ...

Core Insights - Visa estimates that approximately $11 trillion in cash remains in circulation globally, indicating the persistent role of physical money in daily commerce and the potential for digital payment growth [1][2][3] Digital Payment Trends - The transition towards digital payments is evident, with predictions that by 2026, half of the world's total consumer payments will be made using card credentials [3] - Mobile wallets are becoming increasingly popular, accounting for 35% of online transactions and 21% of in-store transactions across 11 major economies [6] - Faster payment systems in emerging markets, such as Brazil's Pix and India's Unified Payments Interface, are effectively reducing reliance on cash by providing immediate and low-cost alternatives [8][9] Consumer Behavior - Consumers are moving away from cash primarily for convenience, as mobile wallets facilitate quicker transactions through tap-to-pay or scan-based methods [10] - Security concerns regarding digital payments are being addressed through advancements like tokenization and biometric authentication, shifting the perception of safety from cash to digital transactions [11] Demographic Variations - The decline in cash usage is uneven across different regions and demographics, with tech-savvy consumers leading the shift away from physical money [12][13] - Consumers deeply embedded in connected technology ecosystems are 34% less likely to use cash compared to three years ago, while those with fewer connected devices continue to rely on cash more frequently [13][14] Future Outlook - The substantial amount of cash still in circulation highlights the ongoing relevance of physical money, yet the trend towards digital payments is clear, driven by consumer demand for speed, convenience, and security [15]

The Week in Stablecoins according to @ahbeaudry 👇• YouTube enables U.S. creator payouts in PayPal’s PYUSD• Moody’s proposes a reserve-based rating framework for stablecoins• Ripple pilots RLUSD across multiple Ethereum L2s• Visa expands USDC settlement to U.S. banks and launches a stablecoins advisory practiceAlexander (@ahbeaudry):https://t.co/QnqwNyw7Ub ...

Core Insights - Tech stocks are projected to be one of the best-performing sectors in the S&P 500 for 2025, driven by strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI) related products, leading to new all-time highs in the Nasdaq-100 index [1] - The "Magnificent Seven" stocks have been significant contributors to this growth, but there are indications that 2026 may not see a repeat performance, suggesting a need for investors to explore beyond major players like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple [2] - Undervalued areas within the tech sector, particularly software and digital payments, may present better investment opportunities as investors seek value-oriented stocks with solid fundamentals [3] Investment Opportunities - The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF (RSPT) offers diversified exposure to approximately 70 large-cap tech stocks, mitigating concentration risk associated with mega-cap companies. Current top holdings include Western Digital, Micron Technology, and Teradyne [5][6] - The Amplify Digital Payments ETF (IPAY) focuses on major companies in the payment services sector, with top holdings including American Express, Visa, and MasterCard, reflecting the evolution of payment methods towards digital platforms [7][8] - The tech sector has shown strong performance, but a shift towards companies with robust fundamentals and reasonable valuations is suggested, particularly in software and digital payments, which are expected to outperform in 2026 [9]

Bitcoin remains volatile after hitting record highs earlier in 2025. Will crypto markets shift towards tokenization and stable coin adoption. Hi everyone, I'm Jenny Horn and this is Crypto Corner here on Schwab Network.With Bitcoin rangebound in the high 80s and low 90s this week, we are going to focus on some of the stories that could impact the crypto industry moving forward. Joining us now to discuss some of the recent volatility is Adam Lynch, director at the Schwab Center for Financial Research. Adam, ...

Core Viewpoint - Visa (V) stock is considered a strong buying opportunity due to high margins and cash generation ability at a discounted price, indicating consistent and predictable profits which lower risk and allow for capital reinvestment [1] Company Performance - Visa's stock has increased by 10% year-to-date but is 35% cheaper based on its Price-to-Sales (P/S) ratio compared to one year ago [3] - Visa's Q4 2025 results showed steady global transaction growth, with cross-border volumes up 12% and processed transactions increasing by 10% [4] - A 25% increase in value-added services supports Visa's fee-based revenue model, and partnerships like Orange Money and USDC stablecoin settlement are expanding its network [5] - Management anticipates continued low double-digit revenue growth for fiscal year 2026 [5] Financial Fundamentals - Visa has strong fundamentals, with an operating cash flow margin of nearly 57.6% and an operating margin of 66.4% for the last twelve months [11] - Long-term profitability averages show approximately 58.9% operating cash flow margin and 66.8% operating margin over the last three years [11] - Revenue growth for Visa was 11.3% for the last twelve months and 10.9% over the last three years, although it is not classified as a growth story [11] - The stock is currently available at a P/S multiple of 11.0, representing a 35% discount compared to one year ago [11] Investment Criteria - Visa meets several investment criteria, including a market cap exceeding $10 billion, high cash flow from operations margins, and a significant decline in valuation over the past year [12] - The average 12-month forward returns for stocks meeting these criteria are nearly 19%, with a win rate of about 72% [12]

Core Insights - Visa Inc. has launched USDC settlement in the U.S., marking a significant step in its stablecoin settlement pilot program aimed at modernizing its settlement layer for commerce [1] - The initiative allows U.S. issuer and acquirer partners to settle transactions using Circle's USDC, a fully reserved, dollar-denominated stablecoin [1] - Initial banking partners include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, with plans for broader availability in the U.S. by 2026 [1][2] Group 1: USDC Settlement Features - USDC settlement enables faster funds movement over blockchains, with seven-day availability and enhanced operational resilience during weekends and holidays [1] - Visa's monthly stablecoin settlement volume surpassed a $3.5 billion annualized run rate as of November 30, 2023, indicating significant growth since Visa began settling transactions in stablecoins [2] - Visa's U.S. stablecoin settlement framework includes modernized liquidity and treasury management, allowing automated treasury operations for bank participants [4] Group 2: Partnerships and Technological Integration - Visa is collaborating with Circle on Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed to support Visa's global commercial activities on-chain [1] - Early banking partners highlight the benefits of API-driven settlement experiences, with Lead Bank emphasizing the importance of seven-day settlements and clearer liquidity timing for clients [3] - Visa Consulting & Analytics has launched a Stablecoins Advisory Practice to assist financial institutions in navigating the evolving landscape of stablecoin integration [3]

Core Insights - Visa Inc. is modernizing payment systems by introducing USDC-based settlements for U.S. institutions, allowing select partners to settle obligations using Circle's dollar-backed stablecoin alongside traditional fiat methods [1][4] - The initiative aims to enhance speed and availability, enabling fund movement across blockchains seven days a week, which can compress settlement cycles and improve liquidity efficiency for banks and fintech companies [2][5] - Visa's monthly stablecoin settlement volumes have surged to an annualized rate of over $3.5 billion as of November 30, 2025, indicating strong momentum in this area [3][9] Visa's Strategic Developments - The U.S. rollout of USDC settlements builds on previous stablecoin pilots and reflects Visa's strategic pivot to bridge traditional financial systems with blockchain infrastructure [4][5] - Visa has launched a global Stablecoins Advisory Practice to assist financial institutions in navigating the evolving stablecoin market [4] - Visa plans to utilize Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed for high performance and scalability, to support USDC settlements and strengthen its position in the blockchain ecosystem [3][9] Market Performance - Over the past year, Visa's shares have increased by 8.7%, contrasting with a 9.9% decline in the industry [8] - Visa currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with better-ranked stocks in the business services sector including OppFi Inc., FirstCash Holdings, and Dave Inc., all rated 1 (Strong Buy) [10]

Group 1 - Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) experienced a 10% increase in stock price, closing at $83, following Visa's announcement to allow US banks to transact using USDC stablecoins [1][3] - Visa's adoption of USDC is expected to enhance transaction speed, operational resilience, and provide seven-day availability for fund transactions without altering the consumer card experience [2][5] - Initial banking participants, including Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, have begun settling transactions with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain, with broader availability planned through 2026 [3][4] Group 2 - Visa's global head of growth products stated that financial institutions are seeking faster, programmable settlement options that integrate with existing treasury operations, which USDC settlement will provide [4][5] - Circle Internet Group has partnered with Visa for Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed to support Visa's global commercial activities on-chain [6]

RT BSCN (@BSCNews)🚨 @SOLANA POWERS VISA USDC SETTLEMENT FOR US BANKS!Visa now allows American banks to settle network obligations in USDC on Solana. Crucial details 👇https://t.co/uycfQbeIVK ...