Stablecoins, tokenized assets, AI reshape global finance

A convergence of blockchain innovation, traditional finance, and shifting regulation is reshaping global finance. The SEC debuted a five-year exemption for tokenized equity trading, enabling self-custody, fractional ownership, and 24/7 settlement. The GENIUS Act standardized stablecoin rules, but the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act failed in the Senate. Industry leaders are divided, with some favoring tokenized deposits over stablecoins. Custodia Bank launched Hazel Network to bridge traditional banking with tokenized systems. Meanwhile, Meta's AI agent Muse, enabling purchases via Stripe infrastructure, surpassed 730,000 downloads in five days, signaling AI's growing role in payments.