EMEA Hackathon Final Submission Call

**Traditional finance is experiencing a paradigm shift** as stablecoins prove to be more than just digital assets. **Key developments:** - Stablecoins serving as the **catalyst** for broader TradFi adoption - Financial institutions now recognizing crypto as **core infrastructure** rather than alternative investments - Live discussion from NYSE featuring industry leaders on this transformation **The bigger picture:** - Major institutions like Goldman Sachs pushing deeper into onchain finance - Regulatory frameworks evolving across regions for stablecoins and digital assets - **Growing convergence** between traditional finance and blockchain technology This shift represents a fundamental change in how established financial players view digital assets - moving from skepticism to **infrastructure integration**.

Polygon has launched a new **unified Telegram channel** to serve as a central hub for its entire ecosystem. The channel aims to connect: - Founders and developers - Content creators - Users and community members - All stakeholders in the Polygon ecosystem This consolidation effort brings **all Polygon-related discussions** under one roof, making it easier for community members to stay updated and engaged. The move reflects Polygon's commitment to **strengthening community connections** and providing a single destination for ecosystem updates, discussions, and networking. [Join the Polygon Telegram](https://t.me/PolygonHQ)

**French banking institution ODDO BHF has officially launched EUROD**, a new euro-backed stablecoin. The announcement marks another traditional financial institution's entry into the digital asset space, offering a **euro-denominated stable cryptocurrency** backed by the established bank. Key details: - EUROD provides euro stability in digital form - Backed by traditional banking infrastructure - Represents growing institutional adoption of stablecoins This launch continues the trend of **European financial institutions** creating regulated digital currency alternatives to compete with existing USD-backed stablecoins in the market.

**Stablecoins are expanding beyond one-time payments into recurring subscriptions.** Stripe has partnered with Polygon to enable onchain subscription services, marking a significant step toward mainstream crypto adoption. **Key developments:** - Stripe now supports recurring payments using stablecoins on Polygon - Over 3 million stores can accept USDC payments through Stripe's infrastructure - Stablecoin payments cost 1.5% vs 2.9% for traditional card payments - Buyers pay in USDC while businesses receive fiat currency **Market impact:** - Stablecoin market reached $230B in February 2024 - Polygon's affordable infrastructure makes crypto payments more accessible - Regulatory sentiment shifting favorably toward stablecoins This integration positions blockchain as a **cheaper, more efficient alternative** to traditional payment systems, bringing crypto closer to everyday financial transactions.

**Sandeep Nailwal**, co-founder of Polygon, has been named in Economic Times' **40 Under Forty** list, recognizing India's top innovators and entrepreneurs. The recognition highlights Nailwal's role in elevating India's Web3 presence globally through: - **Polygon** blockchain infrastructure - **SentientAGI** artificial intelligence ventures - **BFI Impact** social initiatives Meanwhile, Polygon continues expanding payment infrastructure with **Stripe integration** for stablecoin subscriptions, making crypto payments more accessible for businesses. Nailwal previously addressed skepticism about Indian-founded blockchain projects, noting Polygon now powers thousands of dApps and attracts global brands through consistent execution. [Learn more about Polygon-Stripe stablecoin payments](https://stripe.com/blog/introducing-stablecoin-payments-for-subscriptions)