Insights

Insights and analysis

Regulation, infrastructure, and the realities of building on stablecoin rails.

Regulation & Compliance Position Featured

MiCA's Transitional Period Has Ended: What It Means for Businesses Holding Non-Compliant Stablecoins

MiCA's transitional period for crypto-asset service providers ended on 1 July 2026. From July 2026 there is no grandfathering exemption, and a stablecoin from any issuer without EU authorisation is an unregulated counterparty.

21 July 2026 · 6 min read Read article
Global Payments Position Featured

Pay-by-Bank Plus Stablecoin Settlement: A Payment Chain Without Card Networks or Correspondent Banks

Cards charge 1.5–3.5% before chargebacks and refunds. Pay-by-bank with stablecoin settlement removes the card networks from the chain entirely. A breakdown of where the cost goes and where the savings come from.

30 April 2026 · 6 min read Read article
Global Payments Position Featured

Why the Africa-Europe Trade Corridor Still Runs on a Broken Payment System

The Africa-Europe payment corridor is among the most expensive and slowest in the world. The problem is structural — and it is not getting better on its own.

25 March 2026 · 5 min read Read article
Company Announcement Featured

Stable Mint Is Live: Regulated Stablecoin Payments Infrastructure for European Businesses

Stable Mint is now live — issuing MiCA Title IV compliant electronic money tokens and providing regulated stablecoin payment infrastructure for European businesses.

15 January 2026 · 4 min read Read article
Regulation & Compliance Explainer

What Is Reserve of Assets Under MiCA? How EMT Issuers Protect Token Holders

MiCA requires stablecoin issuers to back every token in circulation. This explainer sets out how the backing works for electronic money tokens, how it differs from the reserve of assets rules for asset-referenced tokens, and what protects a holder.

30 Jun 2026 · 7 min read
Regulation & Compliance Explainer

vIBANs Explained: What They Are, How They Work, and What the Regulatory Risks Are

A vIBAN routes payments to a master account, not a direct bank account. How vIBANs work, who holds the regulatory obligations, and what risks the EBA has identified.

24 Apr 2026 · 7 min read
Stablecoin Infrastructure Explainer

How to Accept Stablecoin Payments: A Practical Guide for European Businesses

Accepting stablecoin payments is now a practical option for European businesses, not a crypto experiment. This guide covers the integration choices, the regulatory considerations, and what happens between payment and payout.

2 Apr 2026 · 7 min read
Stablecoin Infrastructure Explainer

What Is an Electronic Money Token (EMT)? How Regulated Stablecoins Differ from Crypto Assets

An electronic money token is a specific type of crypto-asset defined under MiCA — distinct from ARTs, utility tokens, and unregulated stablecoins. This explainer sets out what EMTs are, how they work, and what makes them different.

12 Mar 2026 · 6 min read
Stablecoin Infrastructure Explainer

What Is a Regulated Stablecoin Payment Processor? How MiCA and PSD2 Apply Together

A regulated stablecoin payment processor combines stablecoin infrastructure with the authorisations required to move money. This explainer sets out what the category covers, how MiCA and PSD2 apply together, and why the distinction matters.

5 Mar 2026 · 8 min read
Regulation & Compliance Explainer

EMI Licence vs VASP Licence: What's the Difference and Why It Matters for Payments

An EMI licence and a VASP registration are not equivalent. This explainer sets out what each authorises, what obligations each carries, and why the distinction matters for businesses building on stablecoin infrastructure.

26 Feb 2026 · 7 min read
Stablecoin Infrastructure Explainer

How Stablecoin Settlement Works: From Payment to Payout in Under 10 Seconds

Stablecoin settlement replaces multi-day correspondent banking chains with on-chain finality. This explainer covers how the mechanics work, what makes it fast, and what regulated infrastructure requires.

12 Feb 2026 · 6 min read
Regulation & Compliance Explainer

What Is MiCA Title IV? A Plain-Language Guide to Electronic Money Token Regulation

MiCA Title IV establishes the EU regulatory framework for electronic money tokens — stablecoins pegged to a single fiat currency. This guide explains what it requires, who it applies to, and why it matters for businesses using stablecoin infrastructure.

29 Jan 2026 · 7 min read