Amazon Italy Pays €180M in Compensation as Delivery Staff Probe Ends 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Australia Moves Forward With Teen Social Media Ban as Platforms Begin Lockouts 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
Airbus Faces Pressure After November Deliveries Dip Amid Industrial Setback 
IKEA Launches First New Zealand Store, Marking Expansion Into Its 64th Global Market 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Visa to Move European Headquarters to London’s Canary Wharf 
Microchip Technology Boosts Q3 Outlook on Strong Bookings Momentum 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
MoneyGram has signed a deal with Stellar Development Foundation to set up instant money transfers using USD Coin (USDC), a type of cryptocurrency that is referred to as a Stablecoin.
MoneyGram and Stellar are planning to launch their blockchain-based payment services in the latter part of this year. Then they will slowly roll it out in early 2022. The two firms announced their partnership deal on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
As per CoinDesk, once the rollout begins, clients will be able to transfer cryptocurrencies to local currencies. This service will be available to MoneyGram’s around 150 million users.
It was said that the partnership would transform the settlement process because, with cross-border P2P payments and money transfer company’s new offering, the settlement will happen in almost real-time USDC Stablecoin. This will also make the collection of funds faster, improve efficiency and reduce the risk.
“At MoneyGram, one of our top strategic priorities is to pioneer cross-border payment innovation and blockchain-enabled settlement, and we’re thrilled to now work with the Stellar Development Foundation to further our efforts,” MoneyGram chairman and chief executive officer, Alex Holmes, said in a press release.
He added, “As crypto and digital currencies rise in prominence, we’re especially optimistic about the potential of Stablecoins as a method to streamline cross-border payments. Given our expertise in global payments, blockchain, and compliance, we are extremely well-positioned to continue to be the leader in building bridges to connect digital currencies with local fiat currencies.”
Moreover, Forbes reported that with MoneyGram and Stellar’s team up, the former’s system fuses with the latter’s blockchain to allow cash funding and payout in various currencies, including the U.S. dollar, Japanese yen, and more using the USDC Stablecoin.
With this offering, the clients will be able to easily convert their cash into and out of USDC then customers can now pick up their money at any MoneyGram outlet. The process is fast and hassle-free.
Meanwhile, the news of MoneyGram and Stellar’s partnership deal is a major slap in the face for Ripple, a real-time gross settlement system, currency exchange, and remittance network. This is because it has been working with MoneyGram for a long time, but their relationship tensed up after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued it in December of last year for alleged securities law violations. It should be noted that Ripple is also Stellar’s rival in the business.
