The news: We’ve recently covered a fintech, a stablecoin issuer, an auto manufacturer, foreign banks, and credit unions that are considering, applying for, or in the process of acquiring US banking licenses. Some have already succeeded, inspiring others to follow suit. And according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, banking charter applications have increased 70% since 2024. Our take: We predict traditional banks will push for regulatory changes that prevent the steady inflow of new banks that haven’t had to follow the more stringent requirements of the past. Banks’ long-standing customer relationships will be a central pillar of their defense strategy. Banks must increasingly leverage their established trust, extensive branch networks, and comprehensive product suites to highlight their stability and one-stop-shop convenience compared to specialized fintechs or more limited new entrants.

The news: Deutsche Bank plans to launch a digital asset custody service next year, which would allow clients to securely store cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets. It initially announced its custody plans in 2022. Our take: These two German banks’ announcements signal growing confidence among European financial institutions in embracing digital assets. We expect more of them to follow suit in the coming year.The trend could also pick up pace in the US amid a favorable environment: Several major US banks already offer crypto asset services, but recent developments like the withdrawal of previous cautionary guidance by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency could spur more major US banks to jump in.

The news: SoFi will relaunch its crypto investing platform and will introduce self-serve international money transfers powered by blockchain technology by year’s end, per a press release. Our take: As customers warm to crypto transactions, remittance providers stand to score valuable volume—and customer loyalty—if they style their businesses around what remittance senders want most: cheap, convent, and fast transactions.

The news: Shopify partnered with Coinbase and Stripe so customers can pay with the USDC stablecoin at checkout. Our take: Coinbase is the biggest winner in this partnership. Cryptocurrency needs to gain traction with a wide merchant network to accelerate its use, and Shopify represents a huge score for Base.

Tariff uncertainty, billion-dollar merger and acquisition deals, and a jump in social commerce will create new dynamics in the payments industry in H2 2025. Burgeoning tech like agentic AI and stablecoins will further shake up the space.

Sixty percent of current and prospective homeowners are unsure whether it’s a good time to buy a home—the highest uncertainty in three years, per Bank of America’s report. Meanwhile, 75% of prospective buyers are waiting for mortgage rates to drop, up from 62% in 2023. Younger generations, especially Gen Z and millennials, are delaying homeownership, with ownership rates flatlining. Stagnant rental prices and economic uncertainty add to the hesitation. Lenders must modernize offerings, streamline processes, and explore alternative financing like crypto and peer-to-peer loans to convert hesitant buyers when the market improves.

The global payments industry will be a $2.3 trillion revenue opportunity in 2028. But shifting business models, new technologies, and alternative payment methods are changing how key card players compete for a share of this revenue.

The fintech company implements globally conscious strategies under economic volatility and new political tailwinds.

A flurry of interest and an unexpected announcement from PayPal show where banks see the biggest value of their own stablecoins.

Economic uncertainty could derail its efforts to reinvigorate growth

In the first 100 days of his second term, President Trump has reshaped business strategy across retail, tech, healthcare, and media. Here’s how tariffs, regulation, and market volatility are forcing brands to rethink spend, growth, and planning.

The payments giant also deepened its tie-up with Coinbase to make buying and using the asset more accessible

The card network is positioning itself at the forefront of the crypto payments space, centered on stablecoins

The stablecoin giant is exploring plans to launch a US-specific token and POS solution

Uptake could be limited given the crypto market plunge

In today’s episode, we talk about what young people want most from a bank, their favorite alternative investments, and what their parents have taught them about saving for the future. Join the discussion with host and Head of Business Development Rob Rubin, Analyst Lauren Ashcraft and Senior Analyst Grace Broadbent.

GOBankingRates research examines what young adults do with their paychecks.