Int’l banks plan stablecoin, OpenPayd enters US market

A consortium of international FIs are planning to issue a U.S. stablecoin in early 2027; London-based OpenPayd has entered the U.S. through its acquisition of MSB USA; the U.K. fined Citi £4.7 million ($6.3 million) for hundreds of transactions in breach of sanctions against Russia; and more in this week’s banking news roundup.

SEC moves to nullify pay-to-play ban for federal contracts

The Securities and Exchange Commission proposal would eliminate a ban on investment advisors receiving government contracts within two years of making political contributions. The agency says existing laws can address pay-to-play conflicts of interest.