Latest FinTech & Blockchain News

📅January 9, 2026 at 1:00 PM
FinTech and blockchain news centers on institutional adoption, cross-border stablecoin payments, digital-asset compliance, tokenised trade finance, and Asia’s growing Web3 and crypto innovation hubs.
1

Fireblocks acquires TRES Finance to deliver audit-ready digital asset operations

Fireblocks has agreed to acquire digital-asset accounting specialist **TRES Finance** to close the gap between on‑chain activity and traditional financial reporting.Source 1 The deal will embed audit‑ready, tax‑compliant records into Fireblocks’ infrastructure, supporting banks, payment providers, and crypto firms facing tighter regulations such as the EU’s MiCA and proposed U.S. GENIUS Act.Source 1

2

Polygon Labs launches ‘Open Money Stack’ for borderless stablecoin payments

Polygon Labs has unveiled the **Open Money Stack**, a modular framework designed to power stablecoin‑based payments and cross‑border value transfers.Source 4 The stack aims to help fintechs, payment providers, and enterprises build compliant, scalable stablecoin rails that can interoperate across chains and jurisdictions.Source 4

3

CredAble and Citi partner to digitise trade finance using DPI-led invoice validation

Digital working‑capital platform **CredAble** has partnered with **Citi** to digitise trade finance workflows through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)‑led invoice validation.Source 5 The collaboration seeks to reduce fraud, accelerate invoice approvals, and unlock credit for SMEs by connecting lender systems directly to authenticated invoice and transaction data.Source 5

4

Institutional Bitcoin demand grows, with spot ETFs surpassing $57 billion in net inflows

U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have accumulated about **$57 billion in net inflows** since their 2024 launch, underscoring sustained institutional demand.Source 3 Analysts say Bitcoin’s 2026 trajectory will hinge on ETF flows, regulatory clarity, and macro conditions, with upside scenarios projecting prices beyond prior peaks if accommodative monetary policy persists.Source 3

5

AI-native compliance platforms reshape financial crime controls for fintechs and banks

Regtech providers highlight how **AI‑native platforms** are transforming financial crime compliance, evolving from predictive analytics to generative AI co‑pilots and agentic workflows.Source 2 These tools promise faster alert triage and better risk detection but raise new model‑risk and governance challenges for regulated financial institutions.Source 2

6

Financial institutions face new AI regulatory compliance priorities in 2026

Regulators are outlining fresh **AI compliance priorities** for financial firms, including explainability, bias mitigation, and robust data‑governance controls.Source 2 Industry commentary notes that banks and wealth managers must align AI deployments with emerging supervisory expectations to avoid enforcement actions and reputational risk.Source 2

7

AI integration becomes critical for crypto banking startups amid shifting regulation

Crypto‑focused banking and fintech startups are increasingly using **AI for compliance automation**, fraud detection, and risk scoring as regulations tighten.Source 2 Commentators argue that integrating AI into core operations is becoming essential for these firms to scale safely while meeting evolving licensing and oversight standards.Source 2

8

Fintech startups refine strategies to navigate crypto market sell walls

Fintech startups active in crypto trading are developing execution strategies to manage **sell walls**, which can distort prices and liquidity.Source 6 Recommended tactics include algorithmic execution (TWAP/VWAP), sourcing liquidity from multiple venues, and strict best‑execution policies, especially for firms managing crypto payrolls and treasuries.Source 6

9

Community banks explore tokenised deposits and automated cross-border payments

Community‑banking analysis notes growing experimentation with **tokenised deposits**, digital wallets, and international payment automation to stay competitive.Source 7 These initiatives, often leveraging stablecoins and real‑time payment rails, aim to cut cross‑border costs and improve customer experience while navigating evolving charter and regulatory debates.Source 7

10

Solana Accelerate to anchor Web3 presence at Consensus Hong Kong

**Solana Accelerate** will feature prominently at **Consensus Hong Kong**, positioning the Solana ecosystem as a leading Web3 community in Asia.Source 8 The initiative is expected to showcase high‑throughput DeFi, payments, and consumer apps, highlighting the region’s role as a hub for next‑generation blockchain innovation and capital formation.Source 8