Chime (CHYM.US) explores introducing stablecoins into its digital banking platform, as traditional finance accelerates its layout for daily payment scenarios.

American Financial Group, Inc.'s technology company Chime Financial (CHYM.US) is exploring the integration of stablecoin functionality into its consumer-facing digital banking platform, indicating that the application of stablecoins is further extending from the cryptocurrency trading market into everyday payments and financial services. According to informed sources and related documents, Chime, headquartered in San Francisco, invited several blockchain technology companies to submit proposals for an "end-to-end" stablecoin wallet service in late spring this year. Among these, the stablecoin infrastructure startup Rain had discussions with Chime regarding the relevant plans. However, it remains unclear whether negotiations between the two parties are still ongoing. Chime declined to comment, while Rain stated it does not respond to market rumors and speculation. A stablecoin wallet is essentially a digital account used for sending, receiving, and managing stablecoins. If Chime ultimately embeds this functionality directly into its existing banking app, users would not need to open accounts on third-party platforms like cryptocurrency exchanges and could directly use stablecoins through Chime's app. This would further lower the barrier for everyday consumers to access and use digital assets. Stablecoins typically maintain a fixed value against fiat currencies like the US dollar. In the past year, traditional financial institutions have shown a significant increase in interest in this area, primarily because stablecoins can provide faster payment and settlement services that operate around the clock. A report released by McKinsey and blockchain data firm Artemis in February this year shows that stablecoin payments reached $390 billion last year, more than doubling compared to 2024. The increasingly clear regulatory environment in the US has also facilitated the entry of stablecoins into the traditional financial system. Former President Trump has consistently supported the development of stablecoins, viewing them as a way to expand the global influence of the US dollar. The "Genius Act," signed into law in July 2025, established a regulatory framework for US stablecoins, prompting more mainstream financial and payment companies to accelerate their business deployment in this area. Earlier this month, Mastercard (MA.US) completed its acquisition of stablecoin infrastructure company BVNK, aiming to advance global stablecoin payment initiatives; Visa (V.US) launched a new platform in July to allow financial institutions to issue, transfer, and manage stablecoins. This means that major global payment networks are gradually incorporating stablecoins into their existing payment infrastructure. Meanwhile, participants in the stablecoin market are rapidly increasing. At the end of June this year, more than 100 companies, including Stripe, BlackRock, Inc. (BLK.US), and Alphabet Inc. Class C parent company Alphabet (GOOGL.US), announced the joint launch of a stablecoin named Open USD. Chime is also a member of the Open Standard Alliance. Chime's founder and CEO Chris Britt referred to stablecoins as a "breakthrough technology" at that time. Open USD is entering a currently highly concentrated market. The stablecoins issued by Tether and Circle Internet Group (CRCL.US) dominate the current market supply. However, as banks, payment companies, asset management institutions, and large technology firms continue to enter the space, competition for stablecoins is gradually expanding beyond simple issuance scale to application scenarios like payments, wallets, and financial infrastructure. Founded in 2012, Chime has developed into one of the largest digital banking fintech companies in the United States and went public last year. To date, the company has over 10.4 million active users. If Chime officially integrates a stablecoin wallet into its banking app, this would mean that stablecoins could directly reach its vast ordinary consumer user base, further demonstrating that stablecoins are gradually penetrating from cryptocurrency market infrastructure into mainstream finance and everyday payment systems.