Big Banks Go Stablecoins: Capital One Buys Brex For $5.15 Billion
Reports say Capital One will buy stablecoin fintech Brex for $5.15 billion in a deal that mixes money and inventory. According to the financial institution’s launch, roughly half of the worth might be paid in money and the opposite half in Capital One inventory.
Regulators should nonetheless log out. The two corporations anticipate the transaction to complete by mid-2026, although that timing might shift if approvals take longer.
Brex Brings Cards, Software — And Stablecoin Plans
Brex started as a company card and expense instrument for startups and has added providers for bigger companies.
Reports observe the corporate moved shortly into cost tech final 12 months when it introduced plans to supply native stablecoin funds, letting prospects ship and settle for dollar-pegged tokens with computerized conversion again into USD balances.
That little bit of tech is a serious a part of why the deal issues to a financial institution that wishes sooner settlement choices.
A Mix Of Old And New
This is not only about software program. It can be a play for patrons. Brex runs enterprise accounts, serves huge names in tech, and has constructed a set of instruments that many companies use each day.
Some of these purchasers moved enterprise deposits to Brex after the 2023 banking turmoil, and people relationships are a part of the bundle Capital One is shopping for.
The price tag seems to be smaller than Brex’s peak personal valuation years in the past, which exhibits how enterprise valuations have reset throughout the sector.
Why This Matters For Payments
Banks have been testing token-based rails and sooner settlement for some time. By folding Brex into its operations, Capital One beneficial properties a prepared platform that already experiments with stablecoin rails.
Real-time settlement for companies can decrease friction and will minimize the ready time for funds to clear. At the identical time, regulators within the US and overseas are paying nearer consideration to token tasks, so the brand new setup will run beneath tighter scrutiny.
Source: Coingecko
The Growing Stablecoin Market
Stablecoins have drawn rising consideration throughout conventional finance after Congress accredited main guidelines for the tokens final 12 months.
Based on information from Coingecko, the full worth of stablecoins has climbed over 18% to an all-time high of $315 billion because the GENIUS Act was handed in July 2025. USDT takes the lion share of the general stablecoin market.
Leadership And Market Reaction
Reports observe that Pedro Franceschi, Brex’s CEO, will proceed to guide the unit after the sale, now inside Capital One.
Investors reacted calmly general; Capital One’s shares dipped early however have been supported by strong quarterly outcomes introduced on the identical time. That earnings power helped soften any sharp market strikes.
Featured picture from YouHodler, chart from TradingView
