Stablecoins Move Toward Mainstream Payments as Binance Cites Visa-Beating Volume
Bitcoin.com News·60-word summary·1 min read
Stablecoin transaction volume has surpassed Visa, reaching $33 trillion according to Binance Research, indicating rapid growth in blockchain-based payments. While this highlights expanding adoption, much activity remains trading and liquidity rather than real-world payments. The milestone was reported in April 2026, reflecting increased mainstream interest in stablecoins for payments, though actual usage for everyday transactions remains limited.
The Kelp DAO exploiter launders $80 million worth of ETH, mainly through THORChain, which saw a 24-hour swap volume surge to $394 million, far above typical daily volumes under $35 million. This indicates increased activity possibly linked to the laundering operation, highlighting risks in DeFi protocols and cross-chain liquidity platforms.
Polymarket launched perpetual futures trading on April 21, allowing users to go long or short on prediction markets 24/7 with leveraged positions. This move enhances its competitive edge against rival Kalshi, which is also preparing new derivatives. The update positions Polymarket as a leader in innovative prediction market features, aligning it more closely with traditional financial derivatives.
The Senate's Clarity Act, a key piece of DeFi legislation, faces potential delays as a stablecoin yield debate has slowed its progress. With limited floor time remaining in 2026, the bill's future depends on navigating ongoing discussions, highlighting the challenges in passing comprehensive crypto regulation amid a tight legislative schedule.
Polymarket is entering the perpetual futures market, following Kalshi’s lead, with plans to offer 10x leveraged trading. This move signals a growing trend of prediction markets expanding into crypto derivatives. The launch aims to attract traders seeking advanced trading options, as both platforms push further into the decentralized finance space. The timeline for Polymarket’s launch has not been specified.
Kalshi is considering launching crypto perpetual futures, marking an expansion beyond its prediction markets. The move aims to tap into the growing regulated derivatives market in the US. The company’s plans reflect broader industry trends toward integrating crypto derivatives into mainstream financial products, though no specific launch date or amounts have been disclosed.
Kalshi, a regulated derivatives platform, launched crypto perpetual futures in April 2026, marking its expansion into the crypto market. This move aims to capture a share of the growing demand for crypto derivatives. The launch signifies Kalshi’s strategic effort to diversify beyond event-based trading and strengthen its presence in the regulated crypto derivatives space.
