格隆汇9月24日｜据Axios，金融服务公司Stripe正与风险投资者讨论，以1067亿美元的估值回购股份。 公司尚未决定将回购多少股份或是否包括员工。该公司曾因疫情前估值约950亿美元时延迟上市而受到 批评，后来估值大幅缩水。最新估值显示出回升的迹象，因Stripe正在探索在不进入公开市场的情况下 提供流动性的方法。 ...

Core Insights - Fold is launching a Visa credit card powered by Stripe Issuing that offers bitcoin rewards on every purchase, leading to a significant increase in its share price during pre-market trading [1] - The card provides up to 3.5% back on spending, with 2% unlimited instantly and an additional 1.5% for customers who pay balances from a Fold checking account with qualifying activity [2] - Fold has processed $3.1 billion in transaction volume and distributed $83 million in bitcoin rewards to date, with over 500,000 active users [3] Company Developments - Fold's new credit card is part of its consumer suite, which includes banking, custody, exchange, and debit services [3] - The company has transitioned from a bitcoin gift card business to a crypto rewards model since 2019 [3] Industry Trends - Stripe has expanded its crypto initiatives, including partnerships that allow Shopify merchants to accept USDC, indicating a growing trend in fintech bridging traditional payments and blockchain [4] - Visa reported an estimated $1 billion in annualized stablecoin settlement volume, highlighting the increasing competition in payments-linked digital asset rewards [5] Market Reaction - Fold shares initially rose over 23% in pre-market trading but fell about 10% to $3.46 by mid-afternoon, reflecting challenges in maintaining momentum in the U.S. fintech sector [6]

Core Insights - Fold Holdings, Inc. is set to launch its Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card on September 23, with Stripe providing backend infrastructure and Visa as the issuing network [1][3] - The shares of Fold Holdings have dropped over 14% following the announcement of the credit card [1][6] Product Details - The Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card allows users to earn Bitcoin on every purchase, offering up to 3.5% back in Bitcoin, with an unlimited 2% earned instantly and an additional 1.5% by using the Fold Checking Account [2] - The card leverages Stripe Issuing's platform and Visa's global network to ensure reliability and accessibility [3] Strategic Partnerships - The partnership between Fold, Stripe, and Visa is described as a blueprint for innovative financial products, minimizing the complexities of program management for companies [3] - Visa emphasizes the security and scale of its network, allowing consumers to earn Bitcoin wherever Visa is accepted [4] Company Performance - Fold claims to have over $3.1 billion in transaction volume and has distributed more than $83 million in Bitcoin rewards, holding nearly 1,500 BTC in its treasury [5] - Following the credit card announcement, Fold's share price fell from $3.88 to $3.31, reflecting bearish sentiment in the cryptocurrency market on that day [6]

Core Insights - ZeroHash has raised $104 million in a Series D-2 funding round, achieving a valuation of $1 billion, with participation from major financial institutions like Morgan Stanley and Interactive Brokers [1][2] - The total funding for ZeroHash now stands at $275 million, which will be used for product expansion and talent growth, aiming to become a leading provider of on-chain infrastructure [2][4] - The fundraising reflects a growing demand for enterprise-grade crypto infrastructure as financial institutions increasingly seek to offer tokenized assets and stablecoins [4] Company Overview - Founded in 2017, ZeroHash provides APIs and developer tools that enable financial institutions and fintechs to offer crypto, stablecoin, and tokenization products [3] - The platform supports solutions for notable clients such as Interactive Brokers, Stripe, and BlackRock, serving over 5 million users across 190 countries [3] Industry Trends - The investment round indicates a trend of increasing interest from financial institutions in building scalable on-chain solutions, highlighting the evolving landscape of crypto and stablecoin infrastructure [2][4]

Core Insights - Fold Holdings has partnered with Visa and Stripe to launch the Fold Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card, aimed at making Bitcoin rewards accessible to mainstream consumers [1] - The credit card offers up to 3.5% back on purchases, with an unlimited 2% paid instantly in Bitcoin, and additional rewards at partner merchants [2][3] - The rewards system is entirely Bitcoin-based, avoiding complexities like token lock-ins or staking requirements, enhancing user accessibility [3][4] Company Developments - Fold has processed over $3.1 billion in transaction volume and distributed more than $83 million in Bitcoin rewards [5] - The company previously launched a Bitcoin Gift Card to facilitate Bitcoin purchases and gifting [5] - Fold's existing ecosystem includes a Bitcoin debit card, exchange, and gift card program, enhancing its product offerings [4] Industry Trends - Visa and Stripe are increasing their focus on crypto payments, particularly with the rise of stablecoins, which they view as complementary to their business [7] - The collaboration between Fold, Visa, and Stripe is positioned to leverage Visa's global reach and Stripe's infrastructure to deliver Bitcoin rewards at scale [3][4]

Core Insights - Fold Holdings has announced that its delayed Bitcoin rewards credit card will operate on the Visa network through a partnership with Stripe, allowing users to earn Bitcoin on everyday purchases [1][3] - The Fold Bitcoin Credit Card offers up to 3.5% back on all purchases, with an unlimited 2% back instantly and up to 1.5% additional rewards when using the Fold Checking Account [2] - Despite initial excitement leading to a stock price increase, Fold's stock (FLD) experienced a significant decline of over 14% on the day, dropping from $4.69 to $3.32 [2][5] Company Performance - Fold's stock opened at $4.69 on Tuesday, following a previous close of $3.88, but fell to $3.32, marking a decline of more than 14% [2] - The stock had surged earlier in the week, nearly doubling in price to above $7 amid speculation regarding a notable investor joining the company [4] - Despite the recent drop, FLD remains up about 8% over the last week but is down approximately 12% for the month [5] Market Context - Stripe has processed over $3.1 billion in transaction volume and distributed more than $83 million in Bitcoin rewards, holding 1,485 BTC valued at around $167 million [4] - The overall sentiment in the cryptocurrency market appears bearish, with a majority of predictors expecting Bitcoin to fall to $105,000 sooner than it will rise to $125,000 [6]

Stripe’s valuation has climbed to $106.7 billion, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, passing the digital-payments firm’s previous peak of $95 billion in 2021 https://t.co/uM5Rko40Tz ...

Core Insights - Y Combinator is collaborating with Base and Coinbase Ventures to foster the development of "Fintech 3.0" companies [1] - The initiative aims to expand the use of stablecoins, tokenize assets, and create consumer-facing applications [2] - This effort aligns with ongoing regulatory developments in the U.S. regarding cryptocurrency and stablecoin legislation [4] Group 1 - Y Combinator, Base, and Coinbase Ventures are seeking applications for "Fintech 3.0" companies [1][2] - Themes of interest include expanding stablecoins into local currencies and tokenizing various assets [2] - The collaboration aims to enhance on-chain business models and promote global economic participation [3] Group 2 - The GENIUS Act is a new U.S. law aimed at providing clarity for stablecoin regulations [4] - U.S. lawmakers are also working on broader legislation to structure the cryptocurrency market [4]

Partnerships & Products - Fold 与 Stripe 和 Visa 合作推出 Fold Bitcoin 信用卡 [1] - 该产品将为用户提供高达 3.5% 的 BTC 购物返现 [1]

Core Insights - Archetype, a New York-based venture capital firm, has successfully raised $100 million for its third fund, Archetype III, which focuses on early-stage blockchain startups [1] - The fund is backed by a diverse group of institutional investors, including pensions, academic endowments, sovereign wealth funds, and funds of funds [1] Investment Strategy - The firm emphasizes a concentrated investment approach, allowing for selective and high-conviction investments in each team [2] - Archetype aims to build strong relationships with founders, which they believe gives them an advantage over larger funds [2] Track Record and Current Holdings - Archetype has a history of successful early investments, including the acquisition of crypto wallet startup Privy by Stripe [2] - The firm currently manages approximately $350 million in assets, with significant stakes in cryptocurrencies like Solana and Ethereum [3] Focus of New Fund - While specific investments from Archetype III have not been disclosed, the firm has already made several deals [4] - The fund will concentrate on founders who are developing real-world use cases to expand cryptocurrency adoption in consumer markets [4] Challenges in Cryptocurrency Adoption - The firm acknowledges that there are no simple solutions for mainstream cryptocurrency adoption, emphasizing the need for products that match or exceed Web2 alternatives [5] - Archetype collaborates closely with founders to understand user behavior and technology, aiming to create optimal experiences for everyday users [5]