Wise finally opens up to cryptos!

The crypto train is well and truly on the tracks, and some believe it's time to get on board. But not everyone is rushing. Some large companies prefer to adjust their course gently, testing the brakes and signals first. This is the case with Wise. Known for its regulatory prudence, British fintech is now showing the first signs of a strategic shift. A measured change in tone, but one with serious consequences for the crypto industry.

Stablecoins: Wise adapts without denying its model

For a long time, Wise preferred to keep his distance from crypto. The platform prohibited transfers to wallets or platforms linked to cryptocurrencies. However, things are changing. In 2024, Wise reported £979.9 million in revenue and £345.6 million in profits. Building on its results, the company is taking a discreet step towards digital assets.

As evidence a job offer posted by Matthew Salisburyproduct director. She is looking for a product manager with experience in stablecoins and digital wallets. Based in London, the position attracted the interest of more than 100 candidates.

The mission? Explore how users could hold digital assets in their Wise account, without compromising user experience. This does not yet announce the launch of a product, but the signal is clear: Wise wants to anticipate the future needs of its customers.

This change marks a strategic repositioning. Far from the buzz, but very real.

The context pushes the giants to integrate crypto

This shift by Wise is part of a global movement. In 2025, stablecoins will exceed $300 billion in capitalization. The recently adopted US GENIUS Act sets a clear framework for dollar-backed tokens. The European Union is implementing MiCA, and the United Kingdom plans regulations by the end of 2026.

At the same time, emerging markets like Africa and Latin America are already turning massively to stablecoins. Due to the volatility of local currencies and high fees, users see it as a convenient solution for international transfers and savings. Moreover, Visa is already testing payments with USDC and EURC. And even countries like Ghana or brands like Dior have been linked, voluntarily or not, to the growth of these assets.

Faced with this change, Wise no longer really has a choice. To stay behind is to risk losing ground. Adapting means keeping your hand in a booming crypto industry.

Wise is moving slowly but surely towards cryptos

If Wise takes a step towards crypto, it is without precipitation. No question of becoming an exchange platform or a DeFi player. The objective is simple: to enable the holding of digital assets in a secure environment, integrated into the existing ecosystem. This remains consistent with the company's DNA: simplicity, compliance, transparency.

The positioning is clear: avoid speculation, but capture useful and concrete uses. Wise could thus offer a complementary service, without modifying its foundations.

What to remember in figures and facts

• Wise processed £145 billion in cross-border payments in 2024;
• Its average transfer cost remains very low, at 0.58%;
• More than 100 candidates aim for crypto position at Wise;
• Stablecoin market targets $1.2-4 trillion by 2030;
• The UK will not have a stablecoin framework until 2026.

This measured approach shows that Wise wants to anticipate without burning his wings. An assumed compromise between innovation and prudence.

In Asia, the race for stablecoins is already in full swing. The continent is experimenting, regulating, and sometimes even accelerating. Wise, for her part, adopts a different posture: moving forward at her own pace, while keeping an eye on the overall trend. The issue? Remain competitive without betraying your principles. The movement is underway.