GM 🤙 

As usual, Web3 just keeps rewriting the rulebook, from payments to play.

Stripe’s latest move has the whole fintech world buzzing, as the company taps into stablecoin power to reshape how we think about digital transactions.
Meanwhile, on the media front, WPP and Roblox are teaming up to spark the next wave of brand engagement, diving deep into virtual worlds to reach digital-first audiences in new, immersive ways.

Today we’ll explore some of these recent headlines and discuss what they could mean for businesses, consumers, and everyone curious about Web3.

LFG

Stripe’s power play:
A new chapter for digital payments

Last week, we explored how giants like PayPal, EY, and Google are leveraging stablecoins to reimagine B2B transactions.

The demand for stablecoin innovation is exploding, and it seems like the trend isn’t slowing down, so, let's keep the conversation rolling.

Today, we’re spotlighting another big development: Stripe’s game-changing acquisition of Bridge for $1.1 billion. Let’s break it down:

Bridge, founded in 2022 (!!) by fintech veterans Sean Yu and Zach Abrams, is a platform built to let businesses create, send, and receive stablecoins seamlessly. The company has positioned itself as a competitor to traditional payment networks like SWIFT.
And Stripe clearly saw the potential - this acquisition, reportedly the largest in crypto history, shows Stripe’s commitment to stablecoins.

For Stripe, a $70 billion fintech powerhouse already known for processing over $1 trillion in payments this year alone, Bridge’s integration opens doors to faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments. Traditional payment networks are often slow, especially when it comes to international transactions, where fees stack up and processing times drag on. By embedding Bridge’s stablecoin solutions into its core, Stripe isn’t just adopting a new payment tool; it’s positioning itself to disrupt financial bottlenecks that have long plagued international transactions.

(By the way, if you want to read more about “DeFi & Finance in Web3”, check out our edition #20)

And the timing is perfect. Stripe’s co-founder, John Collison, recently announced the company’s intention to support global stablecoin payments, adding support for Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) to their platform.
Bridge’s technology means Stripe can now scale these efforts, catering to the growing demand from businesses that want digital currency options without the volatility of crypto.

But there’s a question hanging in the air: are we prepared for a stablecoin-powered future? Regulatory landscapes remain fragmented, with some regions still debating stablecoin standards and oversight.
With Stripe’s endorsement of this technology, regulators will surely take a closer look, weighing stability, consumer protection, and cross-border considerations.

Nevertheless, the pieces are moving toward a better, faster, cheaper reality for payment processing.

Stablecoins in the real world:
What’s all this buzz about?

Ok, so you’ve been reading/hearing about stablecoins everywhere, right? But what are their actual use cases?

Stablecoins, with their predictable value, have turned into a backbone for many in the crypto ecosystem and beyond. Their unique mix of stability and liquidity allows them to operate almost like a bridge between traditional finance and the world of digital assets. For instance, stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies (like the U.S. dollar) create a level of trust, making them ideal for day-to-day transactions and long-term storage alike.
Their growth is evident in the numbers too: with the market totaling ~$161 billion as of October 2024, stablecoins are here to stay, positioning themselves as a foundational asset across various sectors.

One of the most practical applications of stablecoins is in international payments and remittances. Cross-border transactions with stablecoins often bypass traditional banking fees and delays, enabling nearly instantaneous transfers with minimal fees.

For individuals in regions with limited access to banking, stablecoins make remittances accessible, secure, and far cheaper than conventional options, reducing costs and time delays that users typically face with traditional remittance services.

Then there’s the role of stablecoins in decentralized finance (DeFi). Here, they serve as the go-to collateral asset in lending and borrowing markets. Unlike other volatile cryptocurrencies, stablecoins allow DeFi platforms to offer loans, generate interest, and build liquidity pools without the wild price swings associated with assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum. They’re the bedrock of liquidity on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), supporting rapid trading and helping the market function smoothly under varying conditions.

Stablecoins are also super important in helping users sidestep volatility during uncertain times in the crypto markets. By allowing people to “park” their funds in a stable asset, they can secure their investments without converting back to fiat.
This feature essentially gives crypto users a safe harbor (for crypto standards at least 😄 ), enabling them to remain in the ecosystem while reducing exposure to market swings.

On the commerce side, stablecoins enable faster transactions at lower fees, ideal for both online retailers and consumers. Their stability means merchants can price products in stablecoins without constantly adjusting for fluctuations, allowing them to provide more predictable pricing and avoid high fees typical of credit card processing, especially for international customers.
In fact, some sectors like content monetization and pay-per-use services are already tapping into this stability to streamline transactions and enable microtransactions previously not feasible due to traditional financial constraints.

Lastly, stablecoins pegged to commodities such as gold provide an innovative way to access and trade precious metals without the hassle of physical storage. For users looking to hedge against inflation, these tokens offer a digital alternative that tracks the value of gold, creating an accessible route for investors who want to diversify their portfolio without the logistical and financial barriers of traditional asset ownership.

To sum this all up: Stablecoins bring real-world utility to blockchain technology, serving both as a stable unit of account in the crypto ecosystem and as a bridge to mainstream finance. Their growth signals a trend toward integrating digital assets into everyday financial transactions, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and efficient global economy.

WPP + Roblox:
More moves into immersive media

And speaking of “signals a trend toward integrating digital assets”, we’ve been talking for a while that global brands (and not only them) need innovative ways to connect with younger, digitally native audiences.

In a new partnership, WPP and Roblox are coming together to harness the power of immersive media, positioning brands in front of Roblox’s nearly 80 million daily active users. This alliance promises to shape new standards for how brands reach audiences on immersive platforms, with a sharp focus on measurement, creativity, and innovation.

As part of this collaboration, WPP will join Roblox’s official partner program, opening the door to a range of initiatives that expand WPP’s influence in virtual engagement. Among the planned activities are “sprint days” a unique event series where brands, Roblox developers, and agency creatives collaborate to develop interactive campaigns in just one day.
This agile format is designed to keep up with the rapid pace of digital media while ensuring that brands meet Gen Z audiences where they are most active - immersive online worlds.

The partnership aims to tackle one of the biggest challenges in the digital space: measuring brand impact. WPP and Roblox will establish an advisory council to push for consistent standards in 3D environment metrics, helping brands assess campaign performance more accurately.
WPP’s media investment branch will lead this initiative, enabling more robust media investments for immersive channels. This marks a very interesting move for brands to better quantify their reach and engagement in virtual spaces, where traditional media measurement often falls short.

The partnership builds on years of collaboration, during which WPP has helped clients like Adidas, Danone, and Paramount bring interactive experiences to life on Roblox.

Pink Beanie in the wild

I’m super stoked to announce that I will be speaking at Europe's premier CRYPTO AI:CON in Lisbon next month.

In my keynote, "Web3 Needs a Rebrand" I'll dive into:

→ How to make Web3 more accessible to mainstream audiences

→ Lessons from advising top brands on their Web3 strategies

→ The future of branding in a decentralized digital world

If you are in Lisbon, click here for more details about the event.

See you there!

See you next week.

#LFGrow
Diego Borgo