Day two of Solana Breakpoint 2025 in Abu Dhabi underscored the growing convergence of traditional finance and blockchain technology, as institutional adoption of stablecoins and on-chain payments continues to accelerate. On the ground at the event, FintechTV contributor Rachel Pether spoke with Sheraz Shere, General Manager of Payments at the Solana Foundation, about how recent regulatory developments are reshaping the global payments landscape.
Shere pointed to the passage of stablecoin legislation in the United States as a major catalyst. Over the past six months, institutional interest has shifted from experimentation to active deployment. Companies are now building real infrastructure on blockchain networks, particularly in remittances and payment processing. According to Shere, remittance providers, embedded finance firms, and payment processors are increasingly using stablecoins to move money across borders more efficiently, reflecting a growing confidence in blockchain as a core financial rail.
Stablecoins are now driving a wide range of real-world payment use cases. Shere outlined several dominant applications, including peer-to-peer consumer remittances, marketplace payouts to contractors, and business-to-business transactions. He also noted an emerging trend toward offering credit products directly on blockchain platforms, expanding the role of stablecoins beyond simple transfers and into broader financial services.
As adoption deepens, use cases are becoming more sophisticated. Shere explained that banks are beginning to explore tokenized deposits, signaling a new phase of institutional engagement with blockchain technology. At the same time, competition is intensifying as established corporations such as Pfizer and Western Union launch stablecoins on the Solana blockchain. These companies are seeking greater control over the assets that power their payment flows while strengthening customer acquisition and retention strategies.
For issuers entering the blockchain payments space, Shere emphasized the importance of choosing the right layer one network. Solana’s design prioritizes performance, offering fast, scalable, and low-cost transactions. The network is capable of settling transactions in approximately 400 milliseconds and can process hundreds of thousands of transactions per second at minimal cost. A key differentiator, according to Shere, is Solana’s token extensions, which allow regulated institutions to embed compliance and regulatory controls directly at the asset level. This feature addresses long-standing concerns around public blockchains while maintaining the oversight financial institutions require.
Regulatory momentum continues to support adoption, particularly in the United States. Shere noted that while foundational stablecoin regulations are now in place, incremental improvements could further accelerate institutional participation. Legislation such as the GENIUS Act has already helped unlock innovation by providing clearer guardrails for blockchain-based payments and financial infrastructure.
The discussion at Solana Breakpoint 2025 reflects a payments ecosystem undergoing rapid transformation. Collaboration between established financial institutions and blockchain-native platforms is paving the way for faster, more secure, and more accessible digital finance. As major players commit to stablecoins as core payment instruments, the sector is moving closer to mainstream adoption.
This evolution also signals broader implications for sustainability and impact-focused finance. As blockchain infrastructure matures, its ability to improve efficiency, transparency, and access positions it as a powerful tool in shaping the next generation of global financial systems. For institutions, entrepreneurs, and policymakers alike, the developments unfolding at Solana Breakpoint highlight how blockchain technology is becoming an integral part of the future of payments.