Stablecoin

Mastercard has included Polygon's POL network in its Crypto Partner Program, linking the Layer 2 chain's on-chain infrastructure with global payment flows. While Polygon processes over a trillion dollars in stablecoin transactions annually and its stablecoin market cap on the network has climbed above $3.36 billion, the POL token is trading below $0.10, far from its 2024 levels.

The crypto market has recovered 2.34%, lifting total capitalization to $2.43 trillion while approaching key resistance. Stablecoin supply has climbed to a record $315.37 billion after $2.53 billion was minted in seven days, indicating ample liquidity even as thin weekend trading and volatility still pose downside risks.

In March 2026, the European Central Bank released a working paper arguing that growing stablecoin use is linked to bank deposit outflows, weaker credit provision and reduced effectiveness of eurozone monetary policy. Eco CMO Jay Kurahashi-Sofue told 99Bitcoins that stablecoins and banks are likely to coexist in a hybrid financial system, and said governments that engage with the technology could use it to reinforce rather than undermine monetary sovereignty.

The Bank of England has indicated it is prepared to adjust elements of its proposed stablecoin framework, including controversial holding limits for individuals and businesses, following a consultation launched in November last year. Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden told UK lawmakers that while the central bank is open to alternative ways of managing deposit migration risks, it has so far received limited constructive proposals from crypto industry participants. Industry figures argue they have invested significant effort in responding to consultations and warn that rules on caps, capital and reserves must remain proportionate if the UK is to become a competitive stablecoin hub.

On 13 March 2026, HSBC and a Standard Chartered-led joint venture emerged as frontrunners for Hong Kong's first stablecoin issuer licenses, which are expected to be announced by 24 March 2026. The new regime mandates 100% high-quality liquid asset reserves, strict AML rules, and next-day redemptions, while Hong Kong simultaneously advances broader digital asset reforms covering custody, derivatives, tax, and wholesale settlement. The initiative positions Hong Kong as a tightly regulated hub for institutional on-chain payments and cross-border trade finance.

On 12 March, the U.S. Senate voted 89-10 to add a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) ban amendment to the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, potentially blocking the Federal Reserve from issuing a digital dollar until 2030 if the House agrees. Separately, the SEC is moving from a broad innovation safe harbor toward a limited exemption for tokenized securities, while market odds for the CLARITY Act's passage this year have fallen from 78% to 56%.

Singapore-based MetaComp announced on Friday that Alibaba took part in its Pre-A+ funding round, lifting the stablecoin firm's total capital raised over the past three months to $35 million. MetaComp plans to use the new funds to scale its StableX Network for compliant, real-time cross-border payments across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.

Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission has admitted 11 virtual asset firms into a 12-month regulatory sandbox under the country’s new Virtual Asset Service Providers Act. Around the same time, Blockchain.com expanded into Ghana with plans to connect crypto payments to the nation’s widespread mobile money infrastructure, as the government moves to formally oversee a fast-growing digital asset market.

Mastercard's new integration is connecting Polygon's on-chain payment infrastructure with existing financial systems, opening the door to broader institutional use. Following the announcement, Polygon has seen a notable rise in average transfer counts and increased exchange outflows, signaling stronger on-chain activity and shifting investor positioning.

On Thursday, the United States Senate approved an amendment to the 21st Century Road to Housing Act that blocks the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency until Dec. 31, 2030. The measure, which passed by an 89–10 vote, allows dollar-linked digital assets that are open, permissionless and private, while critics in Congress and finance argue CBDCs could enable intrusive financial surveillance.