The Open Money Stack: Building End-to-End Payment Infrastructure

🏗️ The missing payment layer

By Polygon
Feb 23, 2026, 4:13 PM
twitter
News article
Photo by Polygon

Most payment companies excel at one layer - infrastructure, wallets, or fiat rails - but rarely all three.​ The Open Money Stack takes a different approach with a vertically integrated system that handles payments end-to-end.​

Key Components:

  • Infrastructure layer for transaction processing
  • Wallet solutions for user access
  • Fiat rail connections for traditional finance integration

Sandeep Nailwal discusses the technical requirements for moving money at scale, emphasizing the need for systems that combine fast finality, low fees, and mathematical security.​ The approach builds on ZK technology to provide execution guarantees and settlement certainty.​

This integrated model addresses a gap in the current payments landscape, where fragmented solutions often create friction in the user experience.​

Sources
Read more about Polygon

Chainlink Joins Open Transaction Layer as Founding Partner

Chainlink Joins Open Transaction Layer as Founding Partner

Chainlink has announced its role as a founding partner in the **Open Transaction Layer (OTL)** through the Baseline Protocol Consortium. The initiative addresses a critical infrastructure gap: while blockchain networks scale, they need a **coordination layer** to manage: - Identity verification - Compliance requirements - Transaction messaging This builds on Chainlink's previous focus on interoperability solutions like LayerZero, Stargate, and Superchain. The OTL aims to provide standardized infrastructure for enterprise blockchain adoption. Learn more at [otl.network](http://otl.network)

Cash App Brings USDC Payments to 57M+ Users via Polygon

Cash App has integrated Polygon for stablecoin payments, giving its 57 million+ users access to USDC transactions on the network. **Key Features:** - Users can add a wallet address directly in Cash App to send and receive USDC on Polygon - Integration works within the existing Cash App interface - Enables low-cost, fast stablecoin transfers for mainstream users This follows recent Polygon integrations with DPT Pay for card payments and Deel for global payroll in stablecoins across 100 countries. [Read the full guide](https://polygon.technology/blog/how-to-send-and-receive-stablecoins-in-cash-app-on-polygon)

🔒 Mystery Security Engagement Announced

A groundbreaking security initiative is on the horizon, described as a **first-of-its-kind engagement**. The announcement calls for researchers and auditors to participate, though specific details about the nature, scope, and timeline remain undisclosed. **Key Points:** - Open invitation to security researchers and auditors - Described as unprecedented in its approach - Follows previous successful security partnerships, including a $100K audit contest with Sherlock More information expected soon.

Polygon Partners with BRL1 and Capa for Digital Real Cross-Border Payments

Polygon has partnered with BRL1 and Capa to enable cross-border payments using Brazil's digital real without converting to dollars. **Key Details:** - BRL1, Brazil's most traded real-pegged stablecoin, is now live on Capa's payment infrastructure built on Polygon - Cross-border transactions settle in seconds using Capa's onchain-FX stack - The integration deepens local currency payment capabilities and stablecoin foreign exchange - Payments bypass traditional dollar-based settlement rails This collaboration aims to accelerate adoption of digital real in global payment systems by providing faster, more direct currency conversion. [Read the full announcement](https://polygon.technology/blog/brazils-real-now-moves-across-borders-without-touching-dollars-as-brl1-joins-capas-onchain-fx-stack)

Polygon Opens Wallet-Layer Card Programs on Stablecoin Rails

Polygon Opens Wallet-Layer Card Programs on Stablecoin Rails

Polygon has launched programmable card primitives at the wallet layer, enabling authorization and capture functionality for card programs built on stablecoin infrastructure. **Key Features:** - Card issuers can run auth/capture without holding custody of funds - Works across any blockchain through the wallet layer - Built on Polygon's Open Money Stack **Availability:** Design partner slots are now open for card issuers, exchanges, and platforms interested in building on this infrastructure. [Become a design partner](https://info.polygon.technology/become-a-design-partner?utm_source=X&utm_medium=Organic_social&utm_campaign=Wallets_design_partners&utm_content=socialsLearn) | [Technical details](https://polygon.technology/blog/auth-capture-on-polygons-open-money-stack-in-the-wallet-layer-design-partner-slots-open)