The following article is a guest post and opinion of Mike Romanenko, CVO & Co-founder of Kyrrex.

The environment of crypto payments is shifting from speculative hysteria to underlying development. As the industry matures, a strong foundation in the form of business-to-business (B2B) payment infrastructure, user experience (UX), and regulation is materializing as crucial for scalability and mass adoption, according to Mike Romanenko, CVO and Founder of Kyrrex.

Trust and compliance infrastructure as a foundation for sustainable growth

The need for trust-inducing infrastructure has come about as crypto payments move from early adopters to the mainstream. Consumers and merchants require assurance that transactions are secure, auditable, and compliant with financial standards. To satisfy the demands of institutional partners and users, many businesses are voluntarily implementing industry best practices in compliance, custody, and identity verification. This does not imply that regulation is the only motivator.

The EU’s MiCA regulation, together with initiatives from the UAE, UK, and Hong Kong, represents a consensus that adoption relies on clarity instead of control. The industry now directs its attention

toward tools that enable transparent operations and operational risk reduction instead of legal technicalities. The industry has reached a stage where it mainstreams the integration of Know Your Customer (KYC), along with anti-money laundering (AML) and reporting standards, into crypto payment platforms during their initial development.

Data show just how much the environment has shifted. Illegal crypto activity reached about $40.9 billion in 2024, according to Chainalysis. This really speaks volumes about the role that compliance technology plays in the fight against financial crime and building trust in the crypto arena. As the industry keeps developing, focusing on trust and solid compliance systems will be key for companies to grow sustainably. Those who prioritize this are more likely to succeed, while others might struggle to gain a foothold.

UX and functionality: enhancing user and merchant experience

The way crypto payments are developing mainly depends on making things easier and more practical for users. One exciting example is the partnership between Stripe and Coinbase, which aims to make crypto transactions smoother. Stripe has integrated support for USD Coin (USDC) on the Base network across its crypto product suite, facilitating faster and more cost-effective money transfers to over 150 countries. Meanwhile, Coinbase has added Stripe’s fiat-to-crypto on-ramp into its wallet, so users can buy cryptocurrencies instantly using credit cards or Apple Pay.

At the same time, traditional payment giants like Visa and Mastercard are also stepping into the crypto world. Visa has teamed up with a startup called Bridge to launch stablecoin-linked Visa cards, letting customers in Latin America spend crypto in their everyday shopping. These cards convert stablecoin balances into local currencies during transactions, making it easy to use at any store that accepts Visa. Mastercard is also expanding its stablecoin features through partnerships with companies like Circle and Paxos, allowing merchants to accept payments in stablecoins. This move comes as stablecoin transactions have skyrocketed, reaching $35 trillion between February 2024 and February 2025.

All these moves show a clear trend: integrating crypto features with traditional finance to give users and businesses more flexible and efficient ways to pay. By improving user experience and making the most of existing systems, these collaborations are key steps toward bringing crypto payments into everyday life.

B2B payment rails: scaling enterprise-level transactions

Institutional blockchain networks are transforming the boundaries of enterprise transactions. One major innovation is the Regulated Settlement Network (RSN) Proof-of-Concept, conducted by U.S. financial industry participants. The initiative considered the potential of shared ledger technology being applied to multi-asset and cross-network settlement of trades, like tokenized U.S. Treasury securities and cash. The RSN demonstrated the possibility of a 24/7 programmable settlement infrastructure that may enhance liquidity management and reduce operational risk for financial institutions.

Cross-border payment technology is also transforming, as the 2024 Financial Stability Board (FSB) report indicates advancements in standardizing payment systems. These include embracing the use of the ISO 20022 messaging standard and efforts to connect fast payment systems globally. This is intended to make cross-border payments faster, less expensive, more transparent, and more inclusive, which are, according to the G20’s roadmap objectives. By making standardization and interoperability feasible, these initiatives have been positioned to assist in increasing the efficiency and availability of cross-border transactions for international business.

Why enterprises should look toward crypto and what to consider when choosing a partner

As payment rails in companies mature to adulthood, crypto is not only becoming feasible but strategically necessary for global businesses. Blockchain-based solutions are increasingly addressing the operational requirements of large corporations. Pioneering businesses are beginning to explore crypto as a way to optimize financial flexibility, balance treasury operations, and make payment infrastructure future-proof.

But integrating crypto into business processes requires judicious partner selection. Beyond technology, companies must weigh a provider’s compliance approach, integration with traditional finance infrastructure, and scalability across geographies. Licensing standing, interoperability, security practices, and institutional client expertise are essential considerations. Now that the infrastructure is falling into place, picking the right partner matters not just for delivery, but for surfing the new wave of cross-border crypto adoption.

Infrastructure is the real catalyst for crypto’s next wave

The future of crypto payments will not be determined by hype but by how long the infrastructure built today lasts. The trust and compliance architecture is paving the way for long-term expansion, with industry participants welcoming open standards that build institutional and consumer trust.

Meanwhile, progress in user experience — in Stripe and Coinbase or Visa and Mastercard stablecoin integrations — is also accelerating and standardizing crypto payments. Behind the scenes, enterprise-class developments in cross-border systems and settlement networks are enabling the scale required for global adoption. While infrastructure goes about transforming quietly, crypto is solidifying itself as not an alternative, but as a natural layer in the future of finance.

Mentioned in this article

Congressman Tom Emmer reintroduced the Securities Clarity Act on March 26 alongside Rep. Darren Soto, reviving a bipartisan effort to clarify the classification of digital assets under federal securities law.

The bill aims to clearly distinguish between an “investment contract” and the asset associated with it — an issue at the heart of ongoing regulatory uncertainty that has hindered innovation in the digital asset space.

Clear line between tokens and securities

At the core of the legislation is the introduction of the term “investment contract asset.”

This designation would separate the underlying digital asset from the investment contract through which it may have been initially offered, allowing for regulatory treatment to evolve as the asset itself transitions to broader utility or decentralization.

According to Emmer:

“Without clear definitions, entrepreneurs can’t accurately assess risks or launch compliant products. Our legislation helps fix that so investors can fully participate in this emerging technology without sacrificing consumer protections.”

Soto echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the need for predictable rules that support both economic growth and responsible oversight. “This bill adds much-needed certainty to a fast-evolving space and helps protect investors while fostering innovation,” he said.

Legislative momentum

The Securities Clarity Act’s reintroduction comes amid growing congressional interest in modernizing digital asset regulation under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The bill was previously incorporated into the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act, which passed the House of Representatives in May 2024 with bipartisan support.

Its reappearance signals continued momentum in Congress to establish clearer jurisdiction between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), two agencies that have often clashed over oversight of digital assets.

Lawmakers from both parties have increasingly acknowledged the need to define how securities laws apply to digital assets, especially as global competitors adopt more advanced regulatory frameworks.

Many see the Securities Clarity Act as a foundational step in a broader legislative strategy to ensure the US remains a hub for blockchain innovation while protecting investors.

Mentioned in this article

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) launched a public consultation on guidelines to assess the knowledge and competence of professionals providing crypto-asset services under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

The consultation, published on Feb. 17, aims to standardize the qualifications and experience required for individuals advising on or informing clients about digital assets.

Minimum competency standards

The draft guidelines establish clear criteria for professional qualifications, work experience, and continuous education for staff employed by crypto-asset service providers (CASPs).

Under the proposal, individuals providing investment advice on crypto-assets must meet stricter competency requirements than those offering basic informational services.

ESMA outlined that advisors must hold a tertiary education degree or equivalent, undergo at least 160 hours of professional training, and have at least one year of relevant experience. Those providing general information on crypto-assets would require a professional qualification of at least 80 hours and six months of supervised experience.

All professionals must undergo an assessment exam and complete ongoing training — a minimum of 10 hours annually for information providers and 20 hours for advisors — to ensure their knowledge remains up to date.

The guidelines also emphasize the importance of understanding crypto-specific risks, including market volatility, cybersecurity threats, blockchain governance, and liquidity risks associated with major asset holders.

Additionally, ESMA proposes that firms conduct annual internal reviews to assess staff compliance with these standards.

Regulatory implications

The consultation comes as MiCA’s provisions governing crypto-asset services take effect across the EU, with full implementation expected in 2025. The regulation seeks to establish a harmonized legal framework for digital assets, covering transparency, investor protection, and prudential oversight.

ESMA noted that the growth of the crypto industry warrants higher standards of operation to ensure investors remain protected.

According to the regulator:

“The rapid expansion of crypto markets has increased risks, particularly for retail investors. Ensuring that service providers maintain a baseline level of expertise is crucial for investor protection and market integrity.”

The guidelines closely align with existing MiFID II rules for financial markets but introduce crypto-specific considerations, reflecting the unique nature of blockchain-based assets.

Market participants, including CASPs, investors, financial institutions, and industry associations, are invited to provide feedback on the proposed standards.

ESMA will accept comments until April 22, 2025, and expects to publish the final guidelines in the third quarter of the year.