As stablecoins move from speculative tools to digital dollars, a growing number of businesses are beginning to explore their utility for real-world commerce. From faster cross-border payments to streamlined treasury operations, stablecoins like USDC offer advantages that traditional payment rails often can't match.

As stablecoins like USDC gain traction, banks and credit unions have a unique opportunity to offer them directly within their existing digital channels—without taking on the complexity of blockchain custody. Unlike crypto exchanges, financial institutions can provide a faster, more trusted, and seamless experience by embedding stablecoin capabilities into their mobile apps. With a regulated issuer like Circle managing the blockchain layer and a real-time internal ledger tracking customer balances, stablecoins can be offered with traditional banking simplicity. This model positions banks and credit unions to stay relevant, generate new revenue, and help consumers safely participate in the digital asset economy.

Stablecoins are entering the financial mainstream, with projections that U.S. dollar stablecoins could surpass $2 trillion by 2028. In this episode, we explore how banks and credit unions can embed stablecoin directly into their mobile apps — offering real-time balances, seamless conversions, and instant cross-border payments. We break down why Core banking platforms weren’t built for digital assets, and how high-performance ledgers like Matera’s Digital Twin, combined with regulated stablecoins like Circle’s USDC, give financial institutions a practical way to participate in the growing digital asset economy without replacing their Core systems.

Stablecoins are entering the mainstream—and banks need a strategy. In this episode, we explore how legislation like the GENIUS Act and growing customer demand are accelerating stablecoin adoption. We break down four ways banks can engage with stablecoins, from light integration to embedded wallets, and explain how combining Circle’s USDC with Matera’s Digital Twin allows banks to participate without overhauling their core systems. Learn how banks can stay relevant, retain customer relationships, and offer real-time digital asset services securely and compliantly.

Not all QR Codes are created equal — and the kind you hear about in fraud stories isn’t the same as what’s powering secure payments. Static URL QR Codes, often found on parking meters or flyers, are easy to spoof and risky for entering credentials. But a new generation of Payment QR Codes is changing the game. These codes are scanned within an authenticated app (e.g. banking app), use digital signatures, and move money instantly through FedNow or RTP, ACH credit push and push to card — no credentials or redirects required. With standards now in development by X9 and proven success in Brazil, QR Codes are poised to bring safe, real-time payments to the U.S. mainstream.

How can a simple, well designed Payment QR Code enable efficient cross-border payments? This podcast explains how. It showcases the power of the X9 Payment QR Code standard - designed for the U.S. to accelerate instant payments, and has the ability to connect global real time payment networks.

QR codes are quickly becoming one of the simplest ways to make payments - just scan and go. But behind that simple scan is a sophisticated layer of digital security that makes sure you're not sending money to a scammer. The secret? PKI or Public Key Infrastructure.

Core banking systems are remarkably capable. But they were built in a different era—one where banks operated during the day and closed at night, much like a physical branch. That’s where "stand-in" systems come in. These systems temporarily take over transaction authorization while the Core is down.

The problem is, stand-in systems have real limits, as they open the door to a dangerous vulnerability.

Many institutions are rethinking the idea of switching back and forth between the Core and a stand-in. Instead of toggling between systems, many are implementing a real-time, always-on ledger—a Digital Twin.

The X9 QR Code payment standard isn’tlocked into just one specific payment method. One single QR code can initiate many different types of push payments – like FedNow, RTP, Push to Card and even ACH Credit Push. The choice of which rail to use is invisible to the user. By being rail agnostic, this X9 standard is simple and flexible as well as designed to handle any new rails that emerge.

By leveraging existing infrastructure and focusing on user-friendly design, a standardized QR code has the power to make our payment experiences significantly more seamless and beneficial for everyone involved.