The Daily: Google's stablecoin payments for AI agents, Bitwise's 'spectacular' end-of-year rally call, CleanCore's 100M DOGE buy, and more
The following article is adapted from The Block’s newsletter,The Daily, which comes out on weekday afternoons.
Happy Tuesday! Bitcoin and Ethereum hold steady as traders await the Fed's rate decision on Wednesday, with markets pricing in a 25 bps cut and only slight odds of a 50 bps surprise. Analysts say a dovish tilt could spark upside, while a cautious tone risks near-term chop despite rising crypto ETF inflows.
In today's newsletter, Google launches an AI agent-to-agent payments protocol with stablecoin support, Bitwise predicts the crypto market is setting up for a "spectacular" end-of-year rally, CleanCore buys another 100 million DOGE, and more.
Meanwhile, Coinbase's Apple App Store ranking suggests retail is still on the sidelines.
Let's get started!
P.S. Don't forget to check out The Funding, a biweekly rundown of crypto VC trends. It's a great read — and just like The Daily, it's free to subscribe!
Google brings stablecoin payments to AI agents
Google has launched an open-source agent-to-agent payments protocol that supports both card networks and U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoins.
The solution was built in collaboration with Coinbase and over 60 other firms, including Salesforce, American Express, and Etsy, to extend Google's agent interoperability framework into payments.
The protocol lets AI agents verify user consent, encode guardrails, and settle transactions using cards or onchain assets.
If AI agents go mainstream to become shoppers, brokers, and back-office bots, stablecoin-enabled payments could extend crypto's use beyond trading, with a clear audit trail that businesses can rely on.
The launch builds on Google Cloud's Universal Ledger blockchain pilot for programmable institutional settlements, signaling a broader push to merge traditional and crypto rails for automation.
The Ethereum Foundation also unveiled a decentralized AI team this week, highlighting growing competition to anchor the AI economy's financial layer.
Bitwise predicts 'spectacular' end-of-year rally
Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan predicted that the Securities and Exchange Commission's proposed generic listing standards could unleash a wave of new crypto ETPs and spark a year-end rally.
Current rules force each crypto ETP through a one-off SEC filing that can drag on for 240 days with no guarantee of approval.
Generic standards would allow predictable approvals in as little as 75 days, provided the ETPs meet predefined criteria — most likely tied to whether the asset already has a regulated futures market in the U.S. at exchanges like the CME or Cboe, Hougan said.
ETPs make it easier for the broader audience of traditional investors to allocate to crypto, so assets are better positioned to "rip" when fundamentals improve, he argued.
Dogecoin treasury firm CleanCore adds 100 million more DOGE
CleanCore Solutions has bought another 100 million DOGE, boosting its treasury past 600 million as it targets amassing 1 billion of the OG memecoin within 30 days.
The NYSE-listed firm, backed by the Dogecoin Foundation and its corporate arm House of Doge, aims to eventually control up to 5% of DOGE's circulating supply.
CleanCore's strategy is to position Dogecoin as a reserve asset for payments, tokenization, remittances, and staking-like products, with support from investors like Pantera and GSR.
Elon Musk's personal lawyer, Alex Spiro, chairs CleanCore's board, with DOGE's price climbing over 25% since the firm launched its treasury on Sept. 8.
PayPal to expand P2P crypto payments with new Links feature
PayPal is introducing a new peer-to-peer payments feature called PayPal Links, with plans to expand support to BTC, ETH, and PYUSD stablecoin transactions soon.
It lets users send one-time payment requests and avoids 1099-K tax reporting for gifts, reimbursements, and shared expenses between friends and family on PayPal and Venmo.
PayPal will first roll out the feature in the U.S. before expanding to the UK and other markets later this month, aiming to connect billions of wallets worldwide, the company said.
The move builds on PayPal's growing crypto push, with PYUSD now a $1.3 billion market cap stablecoin powering its "Pay with Crypto" feature for merchants.
Crypto execs join lawmakers in Washington to advance strategic bitcoin reserve bill
Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor, MARA CEO Fred Thiel, and more than a dozen other crypto execs joined Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Nick Begich in Washington, D.C. to push for U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve legislation.
The BITCOIN Act proposes acquiring one million BTC over five years with "budget neutral strategies," building on President Trump's executive order establishing permanent federal bitcoin holdings.
The bill sits before House and Senate committees, though hearings are not currently scheduled, with backers now working to expand support beyond its current Republican base.
In the next 24 hours
UK CPI data are released at 2 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Eurozone CPI figures follow at 5 a.m. The U.S. Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision is due at 2 p.m.
The U.S. FOMC has a press conference scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
IOTA, ZKsync, and ApeCoin are set for token unlocks.
EDCON 2025 continues in Osaka. Crypto Invest Summit kicks off in Berlin.
Never miss a beat with The Block'sdaily digestof the most influential events happening across the digital assetecosystem.
Disclaimer: This article was produced with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 3.5/4 and reviewed and edited by our editorial team. Disclaimer: The Block is an independent media outlet that delivers news, research, and data. As of November 2023, Foresight Ventures is a majority investor of The Block. Foresight Ventures invests in other companies in the crypto space. Crypto exchange Bitget is an anchor LP for Foresight Ventures. The Block continues to operate independently to deliver objective, impactful, and timely information about the crypto industry. Here are our current financial disclosures. © 2025 The Block. All Rights Reserved. This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
Revolutionary Move: PayPal’s PYUSD Stablecoin Now Fuels the AI Boom with 4.5% Rewards
In a groundbreaking fusion of finance and technology, PayPal is deploying its own digital currency to power the next generation of artificial intelligence. The payments giant announced it will use its PYUSD stablecoin to finance AI infrastructure, marking a pivotal moment for both cryptocurrency adoption and technological advancement. This strategic move signals a major shift in how large corporations can leverage blockchain assets for real-world, high-growth investments.
How Is PayPal’s PYUSD Stablecoin Fueling AI Development?
PayPal is channeling its PYUSD stablecoin directly into the AI sector by supporting on-chain funding for a project called USD.AI. According to a CoinDesk report, this initiative creates a direct financial pipeline from the stablecoin to AI computational resources and infrastructure. Essentially, PayPal is using its digital dollar to become a capital provider in one of the world’s most competitive and expensive technological races. This provides a clear, practical utility for the PYUSD stablecoin beyond simple payments, anchoring its value in a tangible, high-demand asset class.
What’s the 4.5% Incentive Program All About?
To accelerate adoption, PayPal and the USD.AI Foundation are launching a compelling customer incentive program. Starting in early January, the program will run for one year and offer a 4.5% interest rate on deposits. The kicker? This offer stands for deposits of up to $1 billion. This initiative serves a dual purpose:
Drives Adoption: It incentivizes both individuals and institutions to hold and use the PYUSD stablecoin by providing a attractive yield.
Funds Growth: The pooled capital directly finances the expansion of AI infrastructure, creating a virtuous cycle of investment and innovation.
Why Does This PYUSD Stablecoin Move Matter for Crypto?
This is not just another corporate crypto experiment. PayPal’s action carries significant weight for the entire digital asset ecosystem. First, it demonstrates a major, legitimate use case for a stablecoin issued by a traditional financial titan. Second, it bridges the worlds of decentralized finance (DeFi) and mainstream corporate finance in a very public way. By choosing to fund AI—a sector synonymous with the future—PayPal is making a powerful statement about the long-term role of assets like the PYUSD stablecoin. It transforms the stablecoin from a speculative tool into a foundational building block for critical infrastructure.
What Are the Challenges and Opportunities Ahead?
While promising, this venture is not without its hurdles. Regulatory scrutiny around stablecoins and digital asset offerings remains intense. Furthermore, the success of the USD.AI project itself will be crucial in validating this model. However, the opportunities are immense. If successful, this could blueprint a new model for corporate treasury management and project financing. Other companies might follow suit, using their own digital assets or established PYUSD stablecoins to fund ventures in cleantech, biotech, or other capital-intensive fields. This move could unlock trillions in dormant corporate capital for innovation.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Digital Currency Utility
PayPal’s decision to deploy its PYUSD stablecoin for AI infrastructure financing is a masterstroke. It cleverly combines customer incentives with strategic investment in a frontier technology. This initiative provides tangible value, encourages adoption, and positions the PYUSD stablecoin as a serious instrument in the modern financial toolkit. It’s a clear signal that the future of finance will involve digital assets working behind the scenes to build the technologies of tomorrow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the PYUSD stablecoin?The PYUSD stablecoin is a digital currency issued by PayPal. It is pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, meaning its value is designed to remain stable compared to traditional fiat currency.
How does financing AI with a stablecoin work?PayPal is using its PYUSD to provide on-chain funding to the USD.AI project. This means the capital is transferred and managed using blockchain technology, which is then used by USD.AI to purchase, develop, or lease AI hardware and software infrastructure.
Who can participate in the 4.5% incentive program?While full details are pending, the program is likely aimed at customers who hold PYUSD in compatible wallets or through participating platforms. Specific eligibility criteria will be announced by PayPal and the USD.AI Foundation.
Is my deposit in the incentive program safe?All investments carry risk. While PYUSD is pegged to the dollar and PayPal is a established company, the specific terms, conditions, and counterparty risks associated with the USD.AI funding program should be reviewed carefully before participating.
What does this mean for the future of PayPal and crypto?This move strongly indicates PayPal’s commitment to integrating cryptocurrency into its core business services beyond just buying and selling. It positions PayPal as a facilitator of capital flows using blockchain technology.
Could this model be used for other industries?Absolutely. If successful, using stablecoins for targeted infrastructure financing could become a model for other sectors like renewable energy, telecommunications, or scientific research.
Found this deep dive into PayPal’s crypto-powered AI strategy insightful? Share this article on your social media to spark a conversation about the future of finance and technology!
To learn more about the latest stablecoin trends, explore our article on key developments shaping the cryptocurrency landscape and institutional adoption.
Disclaimer: The information provided is not trading advice, Bitcoinworld.co.in holds no liability for any investments made based on the information provided on this page. We strongly recommend independent research and/or consultation with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.
Exodus And MoonPay Stablecoin Partnership Targets Real-World Payments Adoption
Quick Breakdown
Exodus and MoonPay plan to launch a fully reserved, USD-backed stablecoin for Exodus Pay in early 2026.
MoonPay issues and manages the stablecoin using M0’s open infrastructure for digital dollars.
Launch aims to make onchain dollar payments simple for non-crypto-native users globally.
Exodus and MoonPay launch USD-backed stablecoin for consumer payments
Cryptocurrency wallet provider Exodus has partnered with MoonPay to roll out a fully collateralized, USD-pegged stablecoin designed to power everyday payments and transfers inside its ecosystem. The digital dollar will sit at the core of Exodus Pay, a new self-custodial payments feature intended for mainstream users who want to spend and send dollars onchain without interacting with centralized exchanges.
Exodus and MoonPay are launching a fully reserved, USD-backed digital dollar to make everyday payments fast and simple.
Issued and managed by @moonpay using @m0 infrastructure, and built for Exodus Pay.
Join the waitlist at https://t.co/4l9WCPTZ8w
— Exodus (@exodus) December 16, 2025
Under the arrangement, MoonPay will issue and manage the stablecoin while stablecoin platform M0 provides the underlying infrastructure for reserve-backed digital dollars. The launch, expected in early 2026 pending regulatory approvals, places Exodus alongside a growing group of public companies, including Circle, PayPal, and Fiserv, that see branded stablecoins as a route into consumer payments.
Self-custody first; user experience focus
Exodus Pay is positioned as a self-custodial payments layer, allowing users to hold private keys while accessing familiar payment flows such as person-to-person transfers and merchant checkout. Exodus CEO JP Richardson said stablecoins are becoming the most straightforward way for people to hold and move dollars onchain, but stressed that the experience must match modern consumer apps to win over non-crypto users.
In practice, users can top up their Exodus app balance and use the stablecoin for everyday spending, such as buying coffee or sending money across borders, without managing complex wallet setups. The model aims to bridge the gap between self-custody and usability, an area where many existing wallets still fall short despite the rapid rise in stablecoin payment volumes and active wallets across DeFi.
Meanwhile, YouTube is partnering with PayPal to offer eligible US creators payouts in the PYUSD stablecoin. This initiative simplifies crypto access for millions by allowing creators to bypass traditional banking and by integrating PYUSD into its platform, positioning YouTube to drive stablecoin adoption and utility in the creator economy significantly, advancing Web3 adoption and a borderless financial system. PayPal is also expanding PYUSD across blockchains like Stellar and Avalanche to boost its market competitiveness.
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