Crypto Biz: Meta’s AI Ambitions and Fortune 500’s Interest in Stablecoins
By Sam Bourgi
June 13, 2025
In a rapidly evolving financial landscape, stablecoins are gaining traction, particularly among Fortune 500 companies, while tech giant Meta Platforms is investing significantly in artificial intelligence (AI). This week’s edition of Crypto Biz delves into these two significant developments that are shaping the intersection of crypto and AI.
The Rising Popularity of Stablecoins
Stablecoins, digital currencies designed to maintain a stable value, have emerged as one of the most impactful applications of blockchain technology since the inception of Bitcoin 16 years ago. Recent findings indicate that their adoption is on the rise, as many Fortune 500 firms recognize their potential to revolutionize financial transactions.
According to a new survey conducted by Coinbase, interest in stablecoins has surged among top executives. The poll, which included 100 executives from Fortune 500 companies, revealed that nearly 29% are currently using or exploring stablecoin initiatives, up from just 8% a year prior. This reflects a remarkable increase of over three times within the span of one year.
The executives highlighted efficiency as a primary driver of this interest, noting that stablecoins facilitate faster financial transactions and lower payment fees. Currently, about 7% of respondents confirmed that their companies are already integrating stablecoins into their operations. As of June, the stablecoin market has ballooned to over $250 billion, demonstrating its significant growth and integration into the mainstream financial ecosystem.
However, not all organizations are welcoming this trend. Reports indicate that some in the U.S. banking sector are expressing concerns over yield-bearing stablecoins, fearing they could disrupt traditional banking practices.
Meta’s Significant Investment in AI
On a parallel front, Meta Platforms, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is making aggressive moves to bolster its AI capabilities. In a notable development, the company has acquired a 49% stake in Scale AI, a data-labeling firm known for supporting various AI applications, in a deal valued at approximately $15 billion.
The acquisition aims to strengthen Meta’s focus on the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), with Alexandr Wang, founder of Scale AI, slated to lead a newly formed “superintelligence” unit within the company. This initiative comes in response to Zuckerberg’s growing frustration over Meta’s slower-than-expected progress in the AI field. Despite plans to substantially increase capital expenditures this year—much of which is allocated for AI infrastructure—Zuckerberg seems determined to propel the company ahead in what has become a fiercely competitive AI landscape.
Major Acquisitions Signal Industry Shifts
The business landscape continues to witness significant shifts as financiers recognize the potential of crypto and blockchain technologies. In a notable transaction, Nasdaq-listed fintech firm Netcapital acquired the Web3 gaming platform Mixie, marking what may be the first acquisition of a crypto-native protocol by a publicly traded company. The acquisition, executed through Zelgor—Netcapital’s portfolio company—is expected to enhance Netcapital’s tokenization infrastructure, which connects private businesses seeking capital with investors.
Additionally, Guggenheim, a prominent U.S. investment firm, is expanding its digital debt offerings through a new partnership with Ripple. This collaboration aims to introduce a Treasury-backed fixed-income product utilizing the XRP Ledger and could eventually incorporate Ripple’s US dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD. This partnership highlights the increasing convergence of traditional financial services with blockchain technology.
Conclusion
As the landscape of cryptocurrency and AI continues to evolve, the implications for businesses and consumers alike are becoming more significant. The surge of interest in stablecoins among major corporations coupled with Meta’s aggressive AI strategy presents a fascinating narrative of how technology is reshaping various sectors. With industry leaders embracing these innovations, the coming years promise to bring profound transformations in the way value is exchanged and intelligence is harnessed.
Stay tuned for more insights and developments in the realms of crypto and AI in future editions of Crypto Biz.
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