Rene Reinsberg, co-founder of Celo, said that USD stablecoins and on-chain payments are merely the beginning for mainstream adoption. He predicts significant growth in 2026 as more individuals globally begin to use accessible, low-cost blockchain services.
“USD stablecoins are just the beginning,” said Reinsberg. “2026 we are gonna see acceleration. More and more people are going to take advantage of all these use cases.”
At Binance Blockchain Week in Dubai, where Celo was the title sponsor, Reinsberg delivered a keynote address emphasizing mobile-first blockchain solutions aimed at financial inclusion and affordable payments in emerging markets. The event included discussions on stablecoin wallets, ecosystem growth, and blockchain’s potential role in reducing economic disparities amid rising decentralized finance (DeFi) usage. Reinsberg noted the early stage of USD stablecoin adoption and anticipated accelerated progress.
According to recent developments, major financial institutions are rapidly integrating stablecoins into their operations. Stripe acquired the stablecoin platform Bridge for $1.1 billion in early 2025 to enhance cross-border payments. Visa and Mastercard have developed infrastructure for card payments funded by stablecoins, while PayPal completed its first business transaction using PYUSD stablecoin for an Ernst & Young invoice. JPMorgan expanded its Onyx platform with JPM Coin for euro-denominated payments, indicating traditional finance’s shift toward blockchain technology for efficient global transfers.
Approximately 1.4 billion adults worldwide remain unbanked, with higher concentrations among women, lower-income individuals, and rural residents in developing economies. Digital financial services such as mobile money and stablecoins have increased access; however, significant gaps persist in reaching the most challenging populations to serve. Progress depends on innovations that digitize payments and reduce barriers to formal accounts.
Reinsberg co-founded Celo and serves as president of the Celo Foundation, leading efforts to create a regenerative financial system through mobile-accessible blockchain technology. He previously co-founded Locu, which was acquired by GoDaddy, where he held leadership roles in emerging products. Reinsberg holds degrees from WHU in Germany and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.
