VanEck: Stablecoin boom makes on/off-ramp services the center of attention for M&A
Date: 2025-08-19 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: CRYPTO PAYMENTS
VanEck Ventures Managing Partner Juan Lopez told Decrypt that just a few years ago, on/off-ramp services were considered only as a tool for replenishing balances on exchanges. Today, they are going beyond this role, turning into full-fledged payment platforms operating on the blockchain infrastructure.
According to Lopez, the initial purpose of stablecoins was to reduce settlement times when transferring funds to exchanges. However, their functions have expanded significantly: now they are used in cross-border transfers, business settlements, and other financial transactions. He emphasized that it is these companies that are becoming a catalyst for the mass adoption of new use cases for stablecoins.
The adoption of the GENIUS Act in the United States, which established a federal regulatory framework for the issuance and use of stablecoins, has generated additional interest in the segment. Against the backdrop of these changes, large banks and corporations have begun to show activity: Citigroup is considering issuing its own token, and Bank of America has previously announced similar plans.
Lopez noted that one of the main advantages of on/off-ramp companies is the availability of licenses. For market players, this means saving time: it is much easier to acquire a business that has already passed all regulatory barriers than to start the process of obtaining permits on their own. This is why such transactions are becoming increasingly popular.
The market confirms his words with specific examples. In recent months, several large companies have announced high-profile acquisitions: Stripe acquired the Bridge platform for $1.1 billion, MoonPay bought Helio and Unstoppable Finance, and Ripple invested $200 million in the purchase of the Canadian company Rail. These deals demonstrate a growing interest in infrastructure solutions that ensure a smooth transition between fiat and digital assets.
Thus, on/off-ramp services are no longer just an auxiliary element of the ecosystem and are becoming the core of future financial technologies. Their strategic importance is enhanced not only by the growing demand for stablecoins, but also by the fact that owning a licensed provider gives the buyer quick access to new markets.
Analysts agree that this sector will become one of the most attractive for investment and consolidation in the coming years, and the growing popularity of stablecoins will only accelerate this process.
