Stablecoins Transforming Payments and Infrastructure: What Changed This Week — 8-12 Jan 2026

Stablecoins continue to reshape global payments infrastructure, merging traditional banking with blockchain-native solutions. This week, institutional adoption accelerated with BNY Mellon's move into tokenized deposits, while Stripe's integration of stablecoins into subscription billing systems highlights their growing role in programmable finance. These developments, paired with Tether's $50 million investment in lending infrastructure and the rise of a ruble-backed stablecoin, indicate a profound shift in how liquidity, credit, and cross-border transactions are evolving.

Key Developments

1. BNY Mellon launches tokenized deposits for institutional settlement: The world's largest custodial bank introduced tokenized deposits, mirroring traditional deposit balances on a private blockchain to accelerate settlement and improve liquidity access for institutional clients. This move transitions tokenized deposits from pilot phases into production-level infrastructure, bridging traditional custody models with blockchain-enabled programmable settlement. The development validates tokenized deposits as a key mechanism for integrating TradFi and DeFi operations. The Protocol via CoinDesk, 9 Jan

2. Stripe integrates stablecoins into subscription billing infrastructure: Stripe announced the integration of stablecoin payments directly into recurring billing systems, enabling businesses to handle automated vendor payments and subscriptions through token-based settlement. This simplifies adoption for enterprises by embedding stablecoins into existing workflows, reducing reliance on traditional payment rails. The change positions stablecoins as operational currencies within business infrastructure, a step beyond speculative assets. @ribbita2012, 9 Jan

3. Tether invests $50M into crypto lending infrastructure via Ledn: Stablecoin issuer Tether expanded its ecosystem with a $50 million investment in crypto lender Ledn, valuing the company at $500 million. This move deepens Tether's integration into the lending stack, creating new liquidity pathways for tokenised credit markets. It also reflects growing vertical integration trends among stablecoin issuers, as they diversify to capture yield opportunities and strengthen stablecoin utility. The Protocol via CoinDesk, 9 Jan

4. Ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5 outpaces USDT and USDC in growth: Despite international sanctions, the ruble-linked stablecoin A7A5 recorded the highest growth rate among stablecoins in 2025, surpassing both USDT and USDC. This growth highlights demand for localised stablecoin infrastructure in financially restricted environments. A7A5's success underscores the resilience of blockchain-based payment systems under geopolitical pressures and demonstrates the potential for stablecoins to bypass traditional correspondent banking networks. The Protocol via CoinDesk, 9 Jan

5. Stablecoins poised to disrupt global payments infrastructure: A Financial Times analysis outlined how stablecoins are driving fundamental changes in cross-border payments. Unlike previous innovations focused on speed or cost, stablecoins represent structural reform in payment rails, enabling instant settlement and reducing foreign exchange (FX) friction. For energy markets, this could lower transaction costs in commodity trading and improve working capital efficiency for multinational energy firms. Financial Times Markets, 8 Jan

6. Citi partners with CredAble to modernise trade finance systems: Citi's collaboration with India-based CredAble to enhance trade finance controls and post-payment verification highlights the push toward real-time, API-based infrastructure. This reduces counterparty risks and shortens settlement cycles, especially critical for large-scale energy trades such as LNG and crude oil. Enhanced trade finance systems could accelerate digitisation efforts across global energy markets. Finovate, 8 Jan

Why This Matters

The developments this week underscore the growing adoption of stablecoins and tokenised infrastructure across traditional and decentralised finance. BNY Mellon's tokenized deposits exemplify how major banks are leveraging blockchain to enhance liquidity and settlement efficiency, a move that could influence other financial institutions to embrace similar models. By mirroring traditional deposits on-chain, BNY Mellon is not just experimenting but implementing infrastructure that aligns with programmable money and automated workflows.

Meanwhile, Stripe's stablecoin integration signals a shift in how businesses approach operational payments. Stablecoins are no longer just a tool for bridging fiat and crypto; they are becoming embedded in core processes, enabling faster, automated, and policy-bound transactions. For businesses and developers, this creates opportunities to streamline operations and reduce costs, particularly in sectors like subscription services and vendor management.

Tether's investment in Ledn marks the convergence of stablecoin issuance with lending infrastructure, further strengthening stablecoins' role in credit markets. This vertical integration provides liquidity for tokenised assets and enhances stablecoin utility beyond payments. Similarly, the rise of the ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5 highlights the potential for stablecoins to serve as censorship-resistant financial infrastructure in politically and economically constrained regions.

For energy markets, the implications are significant. Commodity trading and cross-border energy deals could benefit from faster settlement times and reduced FX costs enabled by stablecoin-based rails. Additionally, CredAble's trade finance modernisation efforts could improve counterparty risk management and streamline financing for large-scale energy projects. As energy trading digitises, robust, API-driven infrastructure will be critical to ensuring transaction efficiency and liquidity.

Looking forward, the structural shift towards programmable settlement and tokenised infrastructure could reshape multiple industries, from energy to global finance. Stablecoins are no longer speculative assets; they are becoming the backbone of next-generation payment and credit systems.

Picking Take

Stablecoins are not just accelerating payments—they are becoming the infrastructure itself. When BNY Mellon tokenises deposits and Stripe embeds stablecoins into billing, it signals that programmable finance is replacing traditional rails. For energy firms and developers, this means lower costs, faster liquidity, and new tools for cross-border transactions. The question is no longer if stablecoins will disrupt payments—it’s how fast they will redefine global finance.