Stablecoins are shifting from crypto-native experiments to instruments embedded in existing banking and payment infrastructure. Traditional finance institutions across the US, Europe and Asia are moving into stablecoins now that regulatory uncertainties are easing. Payment companies like PayPal, Mastercard and Visa are either launching stablecoins, integrating stablecoin settlement into payment systems or building the infrastructure to support them. The race is not limited to corporations but is also developing at the banking level. In early October, a group of major international banks, including Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Bank of America, BNP Paribas and Citi, formed a consortium to explore issuing a “reserve-backed” digital money on public blockchains. Read more
AIMA says 55% of traditional hedge funds now hold crypto, with most planning to increase exposure as US regulation boosts confidence. More than half of traditional hedge funds now have exposure to digital assets, reflecting a steady institutional shift toward the cryptocurrency market despite recent volatility, according to a new survey. A survey released on Thursday by the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) found that 55% of traditional hedge funds had exposure to digital assets as of 2025. This is an 8% increase over the 47% reported in the 2024 survey. The survey reportedly drew the participation of 122 hedge fund managers, representing $982 billion in assets under management. AIMA also found that on average, funds allocate 7% of their portfolios to crypto-related assets. Still, most hedge funds maintain low exposure, with most investing under 2% in crypto. However, 71% plan to increase their exposure over the next year. Read more