The recent State of Crypto Summit organized by Coinbase highlighted the crucial role of stablecoin in revolutionizing payments, as well as outlining emerging trends in the universe of cryptocurrencies and their growing political influence. The event, in its third edition, brought together leaders, legislators, and innovators who explored the future of this constantly evolving asset class.
Coinbase: the transformative potential of stablecoin
During the inaugural session, Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, and Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, focused attention on stablecoin as a key element for a new financial era. Some important reflections emerged on how stablecoin, like USDC, significantly improve payments by making them faster, cheaper, and more secure.
Furthermore, the prediction by the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on the expansion of the stablecoin market was highlighted, which could reach a capitalization of 2 trillion dollars by 2028. This exponential growth confirms the strategic importance of this technology.
However, Armstrong and Allaire insisted on the need for regulatory clarity to support the scalability of these solutions. Only a defined regulatory framework can allow stablecoins to reach mainstream adoption, ensuring security and reliability for users.
Crypto markets and institutional maturity
An in-depth discussion with Philippe Laffont, founder of Coatue Management, highlighted how the costs and barriers to entry in the cryptocurrency market have decreased significantly. He compared the capitalization of crypto with the global net worth of 400-500 trillion dollars, indicating enormous growth potential.
The discussion highlighted the growing maturity and institutional acceptance of crypto as an asset class, distinguishing between stablecoin and altcoin, both key segments but with different characteristics and roles within the bull and bear market.
The emergency of the Crypto Voter in USA politics
The summit also addressed the growing political influence of cryptocurrencies, with particular attention to the new electoral entity represented by the so-called “crypto voter.” This segment of voters, predominantly young and previously less engaged, is emerging as a new and decisive force in U.S. politics.
Both the Trump party and the Democrats today recognize the strategic importance of crypto. Trump’s campaign has openly embraced cryptocurrencies as a key element of its program, while the Democrats appreciate their economic and national security relevance.
As a result, this bipartisan support has already begun to translate into concrete legislative actions. This is evidenced by the recent approval of the Genius Act. The importance of education and constant commitment emerges as a priority to manage this new political frontier.
Derivatives, DeFi, and regulatory challenges
Another central focus was dedicated to developments in cryptographic derivatives and on-chain trading. The Acting Chairperson of the CFTC, Caroline Pham, emphasized the need to overcome current regulatory barriers and adopt a more flexible approach.
In particular, Pham highlighted how laws like Dodd-Frank have generated fragmented markets and hindered the entry of new players, especially in interactions between U.S. and international entities. Furthermore, he focused on the growing role of futures perpetui in the crypto derivatives market, noting how the current framework is already sufficiently defined without requiring a complete overhaul due to the novelty of the asset class.
As a result, the regulatory future will need to focus on clear principles, integration of compliance tools, and closer collaboration between traditional financial institutions and the crypto world.
The news announced by Coinbase
Among the most relevant announcements, the Commerce Payments Protocol project stands out, an open-source protocol created in partnership between Coinbase, Base, and Shopify. Thanks to this initiative, Shopify will implement USDC payments for all users, initially in early access by the end of the year. This protocol allows on-chain payments optimized for commercial needs, a fundamental step for the real adoption of cryptocurrencies in the retail sector.
Another important innovation is Coinbase Business, a platform dedicated to companies that want to accept payments in crypto, manage their digital assets, and take advantage of institutional-level products. The platform offers advanced solutions for secure custody, regulatory compliance, and easy integration, thus facilitating businesses towards a regulated and secure adoption of digital currencies.
Finally, the autumn will see the birth of the Coinbase One Card, a credit card branded American Express reserved for Coinbase One customers. This product will offer 4% rewards in Bitcoin on every purchase, in every category, further promoting the practical use of Bitcoin as a reference asset.
Impact and future prospects
The State of Crypto Summit confirmed the central role of cryptocurrencies in the future of global financial markets and in the political debate. The event emphasized the need for a balance between technological innovation and regulatory clarity, so that the adoption of crypto can spread on a large scale in a responsible manner.
Consequently, the synergy between traditional institutions and the crypto world, together with a clearer regulatory framework, promises to pave the way for a more inclusive and dynamic financial ecosystem.
Anyone who wishes to understand or participate in this new landscape today should pay attention to regulatory and technological developments, maintaining an informed and aware approach to fully seize the opportunities.
