InfrastructureNews New Zealand - Aotearoa's infrastructure news for industry decision-makers
New Zealand

Digital currency Stories

Kiwi Stories

Digital currency stories

Global Stories

Digital currency stories

EU advances tech sovereignty and UK reshapes AI oversight
Data Protection

EU advances tech sovereignty and UK reshapes AI oversight

Brussels' move could reduce reliance on non-EU tech, while London's new AI minister signals tighter oversight of a fast-growing sector.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Last week
US & UK set out taskforce plans for digital finance
Fintech

US & UK set out taskforce plans for digital finance

Cross-border trading in tokenised assets and stablecoins could expand after regulators on both sides of the Atlantic agreed to align standards.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month
Swift readies blockchain ledger for bank payment pilots
Fintech

Swift readies blockchain ledger for bank payment pilots

Seventeen banks will test whether tokenised deposits can speed cross-border payments and extend settlement beyond normal market hours.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Last month
BIS warns stablecoins must preserve trust in money
Crypto

BIS warns stablecoins must preserve trust in money

Broader adoption could unsettle bank funding and monetary sovereignty if privately issued tokens fail to keep money redeemable at par.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 25th Jun 2026
Visa unveils AI & stablecoin push with OpenAI tie-up
Fintech

Visa unveils AI & stablecoin push with OpenAI tie-up

Merchants and banks could see fewer false declines and faster digital settlement as Visa expands AI tools, token updates and stablecoin pilots.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Fri, 12th Jun 2026
Triple-A launches euro accounts for cross-border payouts
Fintech

Triple-A launches euro accounts for cross-border payouts

Businesses selling into Europe can now collect euros without a local entity, as Triple-A ties named accounts to SEPA, stablecoins and payouts.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Fri, 5th Jun 2026
Bank of England faces pressure over stablecoin rules
Fintech

Bank of England faces pressure over stablecoin rules

Peers say proposed caps and reserve rules could leave GBP stablecoins at a disadvantage, as the Bank of England finalises draft regulations.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Thu, 4th Jun 2026
Project Agorá advances into real-value payment testing
Fintech

Project Agorá advances into real-value payment testing

The next phase could ease delays and settlement risk in wholesale cross-border transfers as Project Agorá moves to real-value testing.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 28th May 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Digital currency stories

Circle wins OCC approval for digital asset trust bank
Crypto

Circle wins OCC approval for digital asset trust bank

The approval puts Circle's custody business under federal oversight and could later support reserve management for its USDC stablecoin.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month
Bank of England sets GBP £40 billion stablecoin guardrail
Crypto

Bank of England sets GBP £40 billion stablecoin guardrail

Limits on systemic issuers aim to shield credit supply as the Bank prepares a new regime for sterling stablecoins used in payments.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 23rd Jun 2026
LuxLexicon to accept stablecoin payments in Singapore
Fintech

LuxLexicon to accept stablecoin payments in Singapore

Shoppers at LuxLexicon's Singapore store can now pay for selected handbags in stablecoins, with conversion handled instantly by Triple-A.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Wed, 17th Jun 2026
Uzbekistan launches Silk Road finance forum in Tashkent
Digital Transformation

Uzbekistan launches Silk Road finance forum in Tashkent

The three-day event is meant to draw investors and regulators as Uzbekistan seeks USD $1 billion in foreign fintech investment by 2030.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Mon, 15th Jun 2026
Japan's big banks plan stablecoin live use in 2026
Crypto

Japan's big banks plan stablecoin live use in 2026

Live commercial use of a jointly issued token will test whether Japan's biggest lenders can make blockchain payments work at scale in fiscal 2026.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 11th Jun 2026
Icon launches digital asset payments framework for banks
Digital Transformation

Icon launches digital asset payments framework for banks

Banks may avoid building separate systems for stablecoins, tokenised deposits and CBDCs as UK regulators back tokenisation in wholesale markets.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Wed, 10th Jun 2026
Mastercard wins New York BitLicence for digital assets
Crypto

Mastercard wins New York BitLicence for digital assets

The approval gives Mastercard a regulated route into stablecoins and tokenised deposits as banks and fintechs test faster settlement systems.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Fri, 29th May 2026
ASIC says Australia primed for fintech & regtech growth
Fintech

ASIC says Australia primed for fintech & regtech growth

Australia's financial regulator sees artificial intelligence and easier rules helping startups turn a strong funding base into faster growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 26th May 2026
Provenance appoints AI advisory board for retail shift
Digital Transformation

Provenance appoints AI advisory board for retail shift

Retailers risk being overlooked by AI shoppers unless product data is verified and structured for machine-led search and recommendations.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Fri, 22nd May 2026