- Polygon Labs is aggressively targeting stablecoin payments with a $250M acquisition.
- Network usage remains strong, despite short-term weakness in POL’s price.
- Macro tailwinds and regulation could shape POL’s next major move.
Polygon Labs is making one of its boldest bets yet as stablecoins move closer to the financial mainstream. With institutions accelerating crypto adoption and U.S. regulation becoming clearer, the company is positioning itself as a core player in on-chain payments — even as its token faces short-term market pressure.
Polygon Labs Expands With a $250M Acquisition
On January 13, Polygon Labs confirmed a deal exceeding $250 million to acquire crypto payments firm Coinme and wallet infrastructure provider Sequence. The move is designed to strengthen Polygon’s role in stablecoin payments and cross-border settlement, a segment that has gained traction since U.S. lawmakers passed the Genesis Act.
The timing is strategic. As demand for compliant crypto payment rails grows, Polygon is aiming to bridge blockchain efficiency with real-world regulation. Coinme brings money transmitter licenses across 48 U.S. states and access to roughly 50,000 fiat on-ramps, while Sequence adds enterprise-grade wallets and cross-chain transaction tools.
Together, these assets form the backbone of Polygon’s upcoming “Open Money Stack,” an infrastructure layer built to support regulated, high-volume stablecoin transactions.
Stablecoins, Regulation, and the Race for Payments
Polygon’s move reflects a broader shift across the industry. Crypto firms are increasingly pushing into territory once dominated by banks, offering on-chain alternatives for payments, settlements, and treasury operations. While infrastructure gaps have slowed progress, Polygon’s acquisitions meaningfully expand its reach.
The strategy builds on strong usage data. In 2025 alone, stablecoins processed over 452 million transactions, and Polygon is clearly targeting a share of that flow as institutions look for faster, cheaper payment rails that still meet regulatory standards.
Network Activity Surges as POL Struggles
On-chain data suggests the ecosystem is responding. Polygon recorded roughly 1.4 billion transactions in 2025, with activity carrying into 2026. Over the past two weeks, daily transactions have averaged around 6 million, supported by 400,000 to 700,000 active addresses.
Despite this growth, POL has struggled to hold recent gains. After briefly touching $0.18, the token pulled back toward $0.15 amid heavy profit-taking. Sell volume spiked sharply between January 10 and 14, dragging momentum indicators lower.
While the RSI has cooled from overbought levels, it remains in bullish territory, suggesting buyers are still present. A sustained sell-off could push POL toward $0.14, but a positive market response to the acquisition could revive a move back toward $0.18 — and potentially $0.20.
Polygon’s expansion comes as crypto markets regain momentum. Cooling U.S. inflation data has lifted risk assets, with Bitcoin rallying toward $95,000 and reclaiming its role as a macro hedge. If broader confidence holds, capital could rotate into infrastructure-focused projects like Polygon.
Also Read: Polygon (POL) Transactions Explode in 2026 as Micropayments Spark Network Boom
Polygon Labs is betting that the future of payments will be on-chain — regulated, scalable, and powered by stablecoins. While POL faces near-term volatility, the company’s aggressive expansion places it firmly in the race to define how crypto integrates with global finance.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of CoinBrief.io. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. CoinBrief.io is not responsible for any financial losses.
