The U.S. Senate has passed the bipartisan GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins) by a 68–30 vote. This landmark bill creates the first federal framework for dollar-pegged stablecoins. It requires issuers to hold 1:1 reserves in cash or short-term Treasuries with monthly disclosures. It also bans unbacked “algorithmic” coins and explicitly amends securities law so that compliant stablecoins aren’t treated as securities.  Supporters say these rules add consumer protection while preserving U.S. leadership in crypto.

Next comes the House. The House of Representatives passed its own stablecoin bill (the STABLE Act) out of committee this spring. Now Congress must reconcile the Senate and House versions; President Trump has urged lawmakers to finalize stablecoin rules by August. If a unified bill reaches the president, it could become law by late summer.

For context, stablecoins have already scaled into the hundreds of billions of dollars. U.S. dollar–backed tokens like USDT and USDC dominate the market, making up roughly 86% of all circulating stablecoins. With the GENIUS Act in play, many expect this dominance to grow even further. Regulatory endorsement from the U.S. could solidify the dollar’s central role in digital finance. As Senator Gillibrand put it, the legislation is poised to “reaffirm the dominance of the U.S. dollar” in global digital payments. Some observers have noted that with compliant digital dollars now just a smartphone away, efforts to “de-dollarize” global trade might face an uphill battle.

What it means for fintech startups

For fintech entrepreneurs worldwide, the new rules are a mixed bag of opportunity and challenge. On the plus side, regulatory clarity is usually a green light.  With concrete rules for stablecoin issuers (full reserves, audits, anti–money-laundering controls), startups and banks can confidently build new products.  In fact, major players (Bank of America, Stripe, PayPal, and others) are already eyeing stablecoins .  Companies can now leverage stablecoins to create fast, low-cost payment rails.  These tokens allow near-instant, low-fee cross-border transfers (a boon in remittances and global commerce) .  One crypto industry leader hailed GENIUS as a “strong signal” that banks can safely explore blockchain payments – a “vital bridge” between traditional finance and crypto infrastructure .  In short, clear rules should spark new blockchain-based fintech services.

At the same time, startups should watch the flip side.  Notably, the GENIUS Act does not block tech giants or foreign firms from issuing stablecoins. That means platforms like Google, Apple or big banks could launch their own digital coins under the new regime, intensifying competition.  Also, a surge in U.S. dollar stablecoins will strengthen the digital dollar on the world stage.  As one expert warned, stablecoins let “anyone with a smartphone hold a compliant digital dollar” – great for U.S. influence but a challenge for non-U.S. fintechs and local currencies.  Startups will need to differentiate (or partner) in a landscape where dollarized digital payments may dominate.  Finally, while the clarity is welcome, complying with the new rules (reserves, audits, AML checks) will add costs.  Agile fintechs that build secure, compliant solutions will likely thrive under the new regime.

There are also reports that major players like Amazon and Walmart are exploring the possibility of launching their own stablecoins; a clear sign that the race to build branded digital dollars is heating up.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

• Regulatory clarity.  The GENIUS Act sets clear requirements (1:1 dollar backing, audits, licensing) for stablecoin issuers . Startups now know what’s needed to legally use or issue stablecoins .
  
  
• New payment rails.  Compliant stablecoins create ultra-fast, low-cost rails for cross-border payments. Fintechs can build remittance apps, digital wallets, and other services using these tokens .
  
  
• Dollar influence.  U.S. stablecoins will likely extend the digital reach of the dollar . This helps American fintechs but means global competitors must plan for an environment of “digital dollarization.”
  
  
• Competition alert.  Big tech and banks will also be playing. The bill doesn’t stop them from entering the market , so startups need unique value (e.g. specialized niches or partnerships) to stand out.
  
  
• Innovation boost.  Clear rules tend to spark creativity. Experts expect GENIUS will accelerate blockchain product development as TradFi and crypto firms build compliant infrastructure .

Need help with your startup? Contact us. We help fintech entrepreneurs navigate through the market.

There’s been a major shift happening in payments; and it’s not another crypto thing.

Instead, it’s something deceptively simple: letting people choose how they want to pay, with one card. Not five cards, not two apps; just one Visa card inside your banking app, and a tap of a button to switch between debit, credit, or even “pay later.”

That’s the idea behind Visa Flex (or Visa Flexible Credential, if you like long names). And it’s not just a concept anymore. It’s live, growing fast, and yes, quietly reshaping how banks think about card issuing.

So… what is Visa Flex, really?

At its core, Visa Flex is one card that can behave like many.

Let’s say you’re shopping. You open your bank’s app, and right before paying, you choose:

• Debit
• Credit
• Installments (BNPL)
• Loyalty points or even a specific wallet balance

And then you pay — same Visa card, same tap. No switching plastic. No new card numbers.

It’s all happening inside the banking app, powered by the backend systems the bank uses. One of the key enablers behind the scenes is OpenWay’s Way4 platform, which helps banks issue and process these multi-functional cards in real time.

The card stays the same. The funding source is up to you.

Where is this actually live?

Let’s start in Asia, where adoption has been fastest:

• Japan: SMBC’s “Olive” card launched in 2023. It’s a Visa Flex product — and in under a year, 5 million people were using it. Many actively switch between debit and credit in-app.
  Fun fact: Olive users spend 40% more than average cardholders.
  
  
• Vietnam: In 2025, Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) rolled out Visa Flex in their “ACB One” app — the first in Southeast Asia. It’s live, real, and built on Way4. VIB and VPBank are following suit.

Elsewhere, Visa is working with fintechs to push this globally:

• US: The Affirm Card (Visa debit with BNPL in-app) is evolving into a Visa Flex product. Klarna’s also joining in with a pilot Flex card.
  
  
• UAE: Emirates NBD’s digital bank, Liv, uses Visa Flex for a multi-currency setup. One card, multiple currency accounts — no FX drama.

It’s no longer a “future of payments” thing. It’s here. And it’s being used.

Why do banks care?

Short answer? More engagement. More revenue.

Longer answer:

• Card usage goes up. People use flexible cards more often. Olive in Japan proves this with +40% average spend.
  
  
• Fewer dormant accounts. One good card beats three unused ones.
  
  
• Better data. When you give users flexibility, they engage more — and every transaction adds context. Great for personalization.
  
  
• Revenue streams multiply. BNPL, FX, loyalty — all routes to monetization beyond swipe fees.
  
  

For banks, it’s about keeping their card in the customer’s hand — and their app front of mind.

“Visa Flex Credential truly speaks for itself — it lets customers choose from a wide range of tailored offers, while keeping spending for each card clear, independent, and easy to manage.”

— Mr. Nguyen Tam Khoa, Deputy Head of Consumer Division, ACB

Key takeaways for fintech startups

This shift is more than just cool card tech. It’s a mindset shift around how people interact with money tools.

• One card ≠ one account anymore. Users want flexibility. If you’re building a wallet or app, think dynamic funding options.
  
  
• BNPL and FX are no longer standalone products. They’re features inside broader, flexible experiences.
  
  
• Your backend matters. Platforms like Way4 let you offer debit, credit, prepaid, or loyalty under one system. That’s a big unlock.
  
  
• Data is the new moat. Flex models generate better behavioral data. Use it well, and you win.
  
  
• It’s not about bells and whistles. It’s about giving users control — in a way that’s seamless and boringly reliable.

If you’re a fintech founder with a story to share or lessons to offer, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us to explore how we can tell your startup’s story.

If you thought AI in banking was all hype and no substance, Revolut wants to change your mind — starting with an in-app assistant that actually does something.

Their CEO for UK just told Bloomberg that Revolut is about to roll out a “personal AI-powered financial assistant” that will learn from your habits and guide your money moves. It’s not another chatbot that spits out boilerplate answers. It’s supposed to become your financial sidekick — giving insights, reminders, nudges, and possibly step in when your fifth “treat yourself” this week hits your overdraft.

This is no sudden action. Back in 2024, Revolut laid out an ambitious roadmap with bold promises: ATMs, robo-advisors, AI, and a push into mortgages. At the time, it sounded like the usual fintech big talk. But one year later? They’re actually building the thing.

Let’s break down what this assistant is — and why Revolut’s roadmap is starting to look less like a pitch deck and more like a playbook.

An Actual Assistant — Not Just a Script in a Hoodie

Here’s what we know: the AI assistant will be embedded inside the Revolut app and tailored to each individual user. It will analyze your personal spending, saving, and investing behavior, then provide prompts and advice to help you make smarter decisions.

Revolut hasn’t dropped the exact specs, but we can guess where this is headed. It might warn you about subscriptions you forgot about, suggest you top up your emergency fund after a big expense, or tell you you’re on track to afford that summer trip (or not). It could even help with investment guidance by tying into Revolut’s newer wealth features.

This isn’t about answering FAQs or telling you your balance — it’s about contextual, forward-looking insights. In other words, Revolut is betting that its AI can actually coach users, not just serve them.

If you’re a product person, this matters: users don’t wake up wanting to “manage their finances.” But they do want to feel in control, avoid surprises, and maybe even grow their money a little. A well-built AI assistant might be the bridge between dry banking features and emotional user outcomes.

From app to ecosystem: what else is Revolut building?

Let’s zoom out. The AI assistant is just one part of a much bigger evolution happening at Revolut. Here’s what else is on the roadmap — most of it already underway:

• ATMs: Yes, even a digital bank wants to get into cash. The first branded Revolut ATMs appeared in Spain recently. The goal is to let customers withdraw cash without paying third-party ATM fees. Not exactly revolutionary, but smart if you want to be taken seriously as a full-service bank.
  
  
• Mortgages: Digital home loans are being tested in Lithuania, with plans to expand to Ireland and France. This puts Revolut in direct competition with legacy banks in one of their most traditional strongholds. If they can pull it off, expect big growth in user lifetime value.
  
  
• Subscription management and financial planning tools: They’re quietly building out more automated features to help users stay on top of their money without needing to think about it every day.

All of this suggests one thing: Revolut isn’t trying to be the flashiest fintech app anymore. It’s trying to be the one app you never delete.

So what’s the big picture?

Let’s be honest — fintech “AI assistants” often disappoint. Most are just rule-based chatbots dressed up with buzzwords. But if Revolut actually delivers a real, learning-based experience that’s helpful and intuitive? That’s a serious unlock for user engagement.

And if they can plug that assistant into the rest of their ecosystem — investments, payments, mortgages, savings — then Revolut starts to look more like a platform than a bank. Think less “neobank” and more “operating system for money.”

The most interesting part? They’re doing it while going global. That means they’re not building for one narrow customer profile. They’re testing in Lithuania, expanding in Spain, pushing features in the UK, and still eyeing bigger moves in the U.S.

This kind of roadmap takes capital, coordination, and conviction. But if they manage to execute, it could redefine what we expect from financial apps — and force other fintechs to rethink the whole concept of “user experience.”

Key takeaways for fintech startups

A few big lessons to steal from Revolut’s latest moves:

• The best UX is proactive. Insights and nudges that arrive at the right moment create more loyalty than any app redesign.
  
  
• Being digital-only isn’t enough. Even Revolut is launching physical ATMs. If it helps the user journey, it’s worth building.
  
  
• Expansion ≠ copy-paste. Revolut is adapting features market-by-market. Localization matters, especially in regulated products like mortgages.
  
  
• Own the full stack. Robo-advisors, loans, cash access — these aren’t just revenue streams. They make Revolut stickier than a single-purpose app ever could.

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Want to make your fintech roadmap work? Talk to us — we help founders turn strategy into traction.