Coinbase is writing a protocol for agentic AI
The crypto company’s x402 Foundation will standardize transactions, making the company one of many technology firms working on standards for AI-powered commerce.
First Merchants deal secures a Louisville beachhead
The $18.6 billion-asset Muncie, Indiana-based company agreed to pay $241 million in stock to acquire First Savings Financial Group and expand into the Southern end of the Hoosier state.
CDFIs get a reprieve. Sort of.
The CDFI Fund is updating definitions of eligible activity to be considered for the funds, including removing climate-focused financing and references to race and ethnicity.
HSBC claims quantum edge in bond market
In what they claimed was a “world first,” HSBC and IBM used a quantum computer to improve their price predictions on the European corporate bond market.
Fed’s Schmid: monetary policy is “where it needs to be”
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City President Jeff Schmid said that the central bank should continue its focus on curbing inflation, as the job market is “largely in balance.”
Adoption is key to stablecoin ‘rewards’ threat to bank deposits
In its recently-passed bill, Congress prohibited stablecoin issuers from offering interest, but left the door open to “rewards” from exchanges. That provision could drive adoption of stablecoins and compete for deposits, but experts say the technology would have a long way to go.
‘Soulbound’ tokens offer versatile options for identify verification
By encoding and decentralizing on-chain identity management, soulbound tokens enable institutions to streamline compliance while introducing a base for new services.
Climate First presses on in disrupted solar lending market
The Florida community bank, which raised $46 million earlier this summer, is moving ahead with its efforts to expand its national solar and renewable energy line of business.
Citi sells Banamex stake to Mexican businessman for $2.3B
Citi had been courting wealthy investors to buy a chunk of Banamex that could be built into a controlling stake after a plan to sell the Mexican unit outright fell apart,
Employees expect CFPB to terminate all enforcement actions
The embattled regulator has dropped more than half its Biden-era docket, including cases against Apple and U.S. Bank. But insiders at the bureau say that’s just the beginning.