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Fed withdraws 2023 guidance, opens door to bank innovation

The Federal Reserve rescinded a 2023 policy that had constrained state-chartered banks—especially uninsured ones—from engaging in activities not explicitly allowed for national banks. The shift moves the Fed to case-by-case reviews, potentially enabling more participation in digital-asset, tokenization, and other “innovative” banking services under supervisory standards. The change could broaden competition and accelerate new settlement and payments rails across the regulated system.

Source: Seeking Alpha


Coinbase expands beyond crypto with U.S. stock trading

Coinbase launched stock trading for U.S. users, positioning itself as a unified platform for equities, ETFs, and digital assets. The move reduces friction between brokerage and crypto wallets, with USD/USDC balances usable across asset classes, and tees up a longer-term strategy to tokenize traditional securities for 24/7 settlement.

Source: Seeking Alpha


BP names Meg O’Neill as new chief executive

BP appointed Meg O’Neill, the former Woodside Energy CEO and ex-Exxon executive, to succeed Murray Auchincloss, who steps down after less than two years. The leadership change comes as the supermajor balances shareholder returns, energy transition targets, and capital allocation amid a volatile commodity and project financing backdrop.

Source: New York Times DealBook


Binance weighs U.S. relaunch; CZ could reduce ownership stake

Binance is exploring pathways to re-establish a stronger U.S. presence, with discussions reportedly including a reduction of Changpeng “CZ” Zhao’s controlling stake to address state-level regulatory concerns. Potential partnerships with U.S. institutions and changes in governance could be key to securing licenses and rebuilding domestic market access.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Brazil’s B3 to launch tokenization platform and a real‑pegged stablecoin

Brazil’s stock exchange B3 plans a 2026 launch of a tokenization venue interoperable with traditional markets, alongside an exchange-stablecoin pegged to the Brazilian real for instant settlement. Orders will draw from a shared liquidity pool, blurring lines between conventional and on‑chain instruments and accelerating collateral mobility and 24/7 clearing.

Source: FinanceFeeds


RBI grants Unlimit cross-border payment aggregator license

Unlimit received final approval from India’s central bank to operate as a cross‑border payment aggregator, enabling compliant acceptance, settlement, and FX for international commerce. The license lets Indian merchants accept global payments and allows overseas brands to serve Indian customers via UPI, cards, and local methods—within RBI’s regulatory framework.

Source: FinanceFeeds


Zepz (WorldRemit, Sendwave) taps Fireblocks to scale stablecoin remittances

Remittance giant Zepz will use Fireblocks’ wallet and automation stack to expand stablecoin settlement in key emerging‑market corridors. The integration targets faster, lower‑cost cross‑border payments at scale while maintaining enterprise controls—an approach that could reduce reliance on slow, expensive correspondent banking.

Source: FinanceFeeds


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Business — December 18, 2025 | Briefing24