I’m Aadi, an MBA in marketing and finance who writes about fintech regulation, blockchain payments, and the business of digital assets. Having tracked stablecoin adoption for years, I see 1Money’s latest milestone as more than just paperwork. It’s a turning point in how crypto infrastructure meets traditional finance.
Are you wondering if stablecoins can really become the backbone of global payments? This story is a real-world test case. If you’re a founder building a payments startup, an investor looking at fintech trends, or a banking executive curious about blockchain integration, this move matters. Licensing isn’t sexy, but it’s what separates market hype from enterprise-scale adoption.
- 1Money now operates across 40 U.S. states, topping peers like Bridge and BVNK.
- Bermuda’s Class F license gives it global credibility.
- FinCEN registration ensures AML/KYC checks through smart contracts.
- A Layer 1 blockchain is in the works, built for stablecoin payments.
- Partnerships with Fidelity and Franklin Templeton strengthen its banking bridge.
Licenses may sound like red tape, but in the stablecoin industry they’re gold. From 2023 to early 2025, more than 94 billion dollars in stablecoin payments were settled, and regulators have become far stricter. By securing 34 U.S. state licenses and a Bermuda Class F license, 1Money is signaling to investors and banks that it’s here for the long haul. Unlike many crypto startups that rely on speculative tokens, 1Money is positioning itself as a regulated payment processor. Its focus is boring on purpose: instant settlements, fixed fees, and compliance-first infrastructure. That boringness is exactly what attracts institutional money.
At the heart of 1Money’s plan is its own Layer 1 blockchain. Instead of chasing complex tokenomics, the network is designed for stablecoin transactions and real-world asset payments. Businesses will get custody tools, fiat on and off ramps, cross-border settlement, and even tokenized assets. Think of it as Stripe for stablecoins, but with regulatory guardrails baked in. This isn’t about retail traders chasing yield. It’s about banks and enterprises integrating blockchain payments without breaking compliance rules.
Some may ask, why Bermuda? The island is home to one of the most respected digital asset regulatory frameworks. By holding a Class F license, 1Money gains credibility with global institutions that won’t touch unregulated crypto firms. It’s the same playbook Circle used before USDC gained traction with Wall Street.
Competitors like BVNK and Bridge are still chasing regulatory approvals, but 1Money has already surpassed them in U.S. coverage. That head start could be decisive. Banks prefer plugging into one provider that already has the licenses. Fidelity and Franklin Templeton have already signed on, a clear vote of confidence. As Cointelegraph notes, 1Money’s regulatory-first approach puts it in pole position to capture the surge in enterprise blockchain adoption.
The stablecoin industry has seen plenty of hype cycles, but few firms have invested this heavily in compliance infrastructure. If 1Money executes on its business model, it could become the go-to backbone for regulated digital payments across borders.
5 to Do’s and Don’ts for readers:
- Track how licensing gives crypto firms an edge in enterprise adoption.
- Watch how partnerships with traditional banks shape blockchain use cases.
- Ignore the role of global regulators like Bermuda in shaping adoption.
- Overlook execution risk in building a blockchain from scratch.
- Treat every crypto firm as interchangeable.