Blockrise founder Jos Lazet said in an interview with The Block on June 11 that Bitcoin’s next major revolution lies in a new generation of “anarchist new banks”—crypto-native platforms that combine blockchain settlement with traditional bank-grade protection. In 2025, stablecoin transaction volume reached $33 trillion, surpassing Visa’s $16.7 trillion.
Blockrise and bunq partnership details
According to Blockrise’s official announcement:
· Blockrise is a platform that supports only Bitcoin. Founded in 2017, it currently holds the MiCAR license issued by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM)
· Partnership scope: In April 2026, Blockrise will partner with the European neobank bunq to provide bank accounts directly embedded into the Bitcoin platform; Blockrise is the first company to build its business on bunq’s new BaaS (banking-as-a-service) platform
· Deposit protection: The fiat currency held in the service is insured up to €100,000 via the Dutch Deposit Guarantee Scheme, provided through bunq’s European banking license
· BaaS model: Blockrise does not hold its own banking license. Instead, it outsources compliance, security, and API access through a BaaS platform, focusing on Bitcoin trading, asset management, and Bitcoin lending
In the announcement, Lazet said: “Previously, Dutch Bitcoin users had to choose between security and convenience. With bunq’s infrastructure, they can have both.”
Confirmed data on global crypto new-bank cases
According to media reports including Kaupr and Inco, the following global crypto new-bank cases have been confirmed:
RedotPay (Hong Kong, founded in 2023)：
· Number of users: over 5 million (covering more than 100 countries)
· Annualized payment volume: about $10 billion
· September 2025: raised $47 million from Coinbase Ventures, Galaxy Ventures, and Vertex Ventures to become a unicorn
Plasma One：Focused on dollar-demanding cities such as Istanbul, Buenos Aires, and Dubai, using Visa-authorized cards and stablecoin deposits
Gnosis Pay：Offers Visa debit cards to users, with funds tied to users’ own crypto wallets, with no third party holding the funds
Deblock (France)：Uses French IBAN and non-custodial crypto wallets, while holding both an e-money institution license and a French MiCA license
Infrastructure M&A: Stripe to acquire Bridge; Mastercard plans to buy BVNK
M&A deals confirmed by public reports:
Stripe: In October 2024, acquired stablecoin payments company Bridge for $1.1 billion
Mastercard: According to Inco, it has reached an agreement to acquire BVNK for up to $1.8 billion
In addition, deployments by traditional banks have been confirmed: Société Générale has launched a dollar-pegged stablecoin; BBVA confirmed plans to launch a euro-pegged stablecoin in 2026; Coinbase, PayPal, Revolut, and Kraken have all applied for banking or trust licenses.
FAQ
What is the BaaS model, and how does Blockrise provide quasi-banking services through it?
The BaaS (banking-as-a-service) model allows non-bank institutions to provide deposit protection, compliance support, and payment infrastructure by partnering with licensed banks, without needing to apply for a banking license themselves. Through its partnership with bunq’s BaaS platform, Blockrise provides users with fiat-currency accounts backed by the Dutch deposit guarantee scheme, while retaining Bitcoin trading and management functions.
Stablecoin transaction volume of $33 trillion in 2025 is compared with what?
According to reports, stablecoin transaction volume reached $33 trillion in 2025, up 72% year over year. Compared with Visa’s $16.7 trillion in the same fiscal year, stablecoin transaction volume has already surpassed Visa’s annual payments.
Which items did the U.S. GENIUS Act and the EU MiCA confirm, respectively?
According to reports, the GENIUS Act was formally signed into law and took effect in July 2025 in the United States, establishing a federal-level framework for payment stablecoin issuance, covering reserve funds, redemptions, and issuer regulation. MiCA has been fully operating across the European Union since December 2024, granting licensed companies the right to passport within the EU.
