🎟️ WalletConnect Announces Free WalletCon Event in Cannes

WalletConnect is offering a **one-time integration incentive in $WCT** for wallets that integrate their Pay SDK before **June 30**. **Supported networks at launch:** - Ethereum - Base - Optimism - Arbitrum - Polygon - Solana (coming soon) The SDK enables wallets to connect to a global network of payment service providers and merchants, allowing users to spend crypto and stablecoins directly without offramping. Wallets earn interchange-like revenue on transactions while users receive 2% $WCT cashback on payments.

**The Current Payment Problem** When crypto users need to make purchases, they're forced into a costly cycle: - Convert crypto to fiat currency - Wait for settlement periods - Pay conversion fees - Leave the crypto ecosystem entirely **What Businesses Lose** This friction creates three critical losses: - **Lost transactions** - Users abandon purchases during the conversion process - **Lost revenue** - Fees eat into potential profits - **Lost engagement** - Users exit your platform to complete payments **The Alternative** Some platforms are exploring direct payment solutions that keep users within crypto ecosystems, eliminating the need for fiat conversion and maintaining seamless user experiences.

Crypto payments are reaching mainstream usability without requiring physical cards. The technology now offers the same tap-to-pay convenience users expect from traditional payment methods. **Key developments:** - Stablecoin cards processed **$381M** in Mastercard and Visa volume on Polygon between June-August - Payment infrastructure is being built to match the simplicity of credit card transactions - Multi-year collaboration between Polygon Labs and Flutterwave aims to reduce fees and speed up settlement times **What this means:** The gap between crypto and traditional payments continues to narrow. Users can now move digital assets with the same ease as contactless card payments, particularly in emerging markets where high fees and slow settlement have been barriers. The focus is on practical infrastructure rather than speculation - building payment rails that work at scale across different regions and use cases.

**Weekly stablecoin activity across the WalletConnect Network reached $6.69 billion**, according to the latest report. **Key highlights:** - USDC maintained its position as the leading stablecoin - Ethereum remained the dominant blockchain for transactions - Volume represents activity facilitated through WalletConnect's infrastructure The figures demonstrate continued strength in stablecoin usage, with USDC and Ethereum maintaining their market leadership positions. WalletConnect serves as critical infrastructure connecting wallets and applications in the stablecoin economy.

**Rootstock Collective** joins WalletCon as an official sponsor for the March 31 event in Cannes. The organization operates as a **Bitcoin DAO** (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) focused on recognizing and rewarding builders and users within the Rootstock ecosystem. **Key Details:** - Rootstock is Bitcoin's longest-running sidechain - Functions as Bitcoin's DeFi layer - Enables decentralized finance applications on Bitcoin infrastructure The sponsorship adds to WalletCon's growing list of blockchain infrastructure partners, which includes Stellar, MiniPay, Hypernative Labs, and others focused on wallet technology and digital asset security.