In a major strategic shift, Western Union announced plans to launch its own stablecoin, USDPT, in 2026 to challenge established digital-asset players. The initiative aims to reduce remittance costs, accelerate settlements, and modernize its $80 billion-a-year cross-border payments network. Executives said blockchain integration will expand accessibility to unbanked regions while maintaining full regulatory compliance. Analysts believe the move could position Western Union among the first legacy financial firms to directly compete with private-sector stablecoins and reshape remittance economics worldwide.