Jonathan Roberts

Is payments the fastest-growing space in fintech right now? From real-time settlements and embedded commerce to stablecoins and crypto rails, U.S. payments innovation has been moving fast over the past year and it’s exciting to watch. Some highlights: Highnote raised a $90M Series B In January 2025 to expand payments and merchant acquiring, and late-stage fintech funding in the U.S. was up 44% in 2025. Alongside this, there were 150+ acquisitions across the space, showing how quickly companies are scaling and consolidating. As someone working closely with fintech talent, it’s clear teams building end-to-end payments systems, APIs, and infrastructure are growing quickly, and the VCs backing these platforms are shaping the next wave of fintech innovation. For engineers in the space, now is a great time to explore new, high-impact opportunities, especially roles where you can build systems from 0‑1. And for founders who are hiring, I’m curious: how are you sourcing the talent that can make that kind of early-stage impact?

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🚨 Monumental day for crypto in the US 🚨 The SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance has issued a No-Action Letter confirming that DoubleZero Network’s 2Z token is not subject to registration under the Securities Acts. This is historic and reinforces what many in the industry have long believed: tokens are not inherently securities. Key takeaways: • 2Z token flows to contributors on the network are not considered equity securities • SEC provided explicit clarity via a No-Action Letter, the first of its kind for this model • Sets an important precedent for how native tokens in decentralized networks may be treated moving forward This development could reshape the conversation around regulation, innovation and adoption in the US crypto ecosystem. The road is long, but days like today push the industry forward. 🚀

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In summary: President Trump’s signing of the GENIUS Act, the nation’s first comprehensive stablecoin law, has both energized and unsettled the banking industry. While the legislation establishes a much clearer and more durable regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers—creating new opportunities for banks and nonbanks alike to enter or expand in the digital asset market—it also falls short of several key protections banks sought, such as an outright prohibition on nonbank issuers receiving Federal Reserve master accounts or barring yield-generating products. Large financial institutions are assessing how they’ll approach this evolving landscape, potentially offering stablecoin services themselves, while smaller banks worry that broad stablecoin adoption could erode their traditional role in payment systems and customer relationships. With much left to be determined, federal and state regulators now face the complex task of drafting the rules that will define how both banks and nonbanks can participate. The GENIUS Act preserves the Fed’s authority to decide on granting master accounts to nonbank issuers, leaving this critical question unresolved. Banks must navigate legal and structural questions about stablecoin issuance, such as whether to operate through subsidiaries or other entities, while market participants await guidance on issues like yield products, which may be further clarified via future legislation such as the pending CLARITY Act. As regulatory rulemaking proceeds, both banks and new entrants are developing their stablecoin offerings in parallel with regulatory frameworks still under construction, making this a fluid and competitive environment for all involved. We should consider that as regulators shape the future of stablecoins, this moment marks a turning point not just for banks but for cryptocurrency as a whole. The intersection of new rules with the broader crypto ecosystem brings both optimism for financial innovation and concern over volatility and risk. The approach taken in the U.S. could set a precedent for how digital assets and traditional finance interact globally, impacting institutions and retail users seeking new forms of value and investment. The continued evolution of cryptocurrencies under clearer rules has significant implications for the U.S. dollar’s global role. While regulatory clarity may legitimize digital dollars and broaden payment options, widespread adoption of nonbank stablecoins could shift demand from traditional dollars and affect monetary policy. As regulations take shape, it’s essential to consider how these developments might redefine trust, stability, and America’s influence in the world financial system. #cryptocurrency #stablecoin #banking https://lnkd.in/gKqkia3u

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Saudi Crypto Isn’t Unregulated. It’s Undefined.​ There’s a misconception that if there’s no dedicated crypto license, there’s a regulatory vacuum.​ That’s not what’s happening in Saudi Arabia.​ Yes, virtual currencies aren’t recognised as legal tender.​ Yes, there’s no standalone crypto framework yet.​ But that doesn’t mean absence.​ It means perimeter oversight.​ Authorities are watching closely.​ Warnings have been issued.​ Activity isn’t ignored - it’s monitored.​ This creates an interesting dynamic:​ Innovation is happening.​ Adoption interest is real.​ But regulatory clarity is still forming.​ The second-order effect?​ Platforms and fiat on-ramps operating in Saudi need to design for compliance before regulation becomes explicit.​ In markets like this, discipline often wins over speed.​ At Linnk Group, we’re seeing growing demand for compliance-savvy fintech leadership - because navigating ambiguity requires capability, not optimism.​ The real question:​ Will early movers benefit from shaping the framework - or bear the cost of misreading it?​ https://lnkd.in/ghKF4a-v.

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🟠 DDC Enterprise's $528M Capital Raise: A New Era in Corporate Bitcoin Strategy 🔹 What Happened NYSE‑listed DDC Enterprise (DayDayCook) has closed a $528 million financing package—one of the largest capital raises by a public company specifically to expand its Bitcoin treasury. 🔹 Strategic Funding Structure $26M PIPE from crypto-native investors. $25M convertible note with $275M in drawdown flexibility. $2M private placement plus a $200M equity line of credit. 🔹 Execution & Vision Already acquired 38 BTC, bringing holdings to 138 BTC. DDC intends to build “one of the world’s most valuable corporate Bitcoin treasuries.” - Norma Chu, CEO ⚖️ Why It Matters for CFOs & Boards 1. Scale and conviction A half-billion-dollar, Bitcoin-specific raise shows serious strategic intent. This is no pilot—it’s a paradigm shift. 2. Capital structure innovation Modular financing (PIPE, convertibles, ELOC) provides strategic flexibility to optimize timing, risk, and balance sheet impact. 3. Integrated corporate strategy A plant-based food company is now embedding Bitcoin into its core financial architecture. This is strategy—not speculation. 🤔 A Question for Business Leaders: If a consumer food brand can lead on Bitcoin treasury, what’s stopping industrials, energy, or tech players from following? Could your treasury execute a similar capital strategy—purpose-built for digital asset resilience? 💡For CFOs, strategists, and board directors: this is more than a headline. It’s a signal. The Monetary Transition is unfolding—and it’s time to evaluate where your company stands. It's time to think about how bitcoin can serve your company's strategy. 🟠 Let's roll with Orange Wheel #MonetaryTransition #BitcoinTreasury #CorporateFinance #StrategicFinance #DigitalAssets https://lnkd.in/d28Gs4GX

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One product, two markets.... Stablecoins are being pulled in two directions as institutional teams want settlement speed and liquidity control and retail users still need trust, utility, and simple on and off ramps. When one product tries to serve both, the roadmap gets confused. You either build for compliance and treasury flows, or you build for consumer habit change. They are not the same job, and they do not need the same messaging or commercial model. Many teams are attempting to launch both at once, which usually means neither is great. The institutional roadmap gets slowed by consumer UX debates, and the retail roadmap gets slowed by governance requirements. I do not see enough clarity on this split. If you had to choose one market to win first, which would you pick, and why? #stablecoins #payments #fintech

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