Western Union announced plans to launch a U.S. dollar–backed stablecoin, USDPT, built on the Solana blockchain and issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, as part of a broader initiative to integrate blockchain technology into its global payment operations.
The company said USDPT will underpin a new Digital Asset Network, designed to connect digital assets with traditional financial systems.
The network aims to enable users to send, receive, spend, and hold digital dollars through Western Union’s global infrastructure.
According to Western Union, USDPT is expected to be available in the first half of 2026, with initial access provided via partner exchanges.
The company said the project combines its international payment reach with Solana’s transaction throughput and Anchorage Digital’s regulated issuance and custody services.
“We are committed to leveraging emerging technologies to empower our customers and communities,” said Devin McGranahan, President and CEO of Western Union. “Our Digital Asset Network and USDPT will be an enabler in achieving our mission to make financial services accessible to people everywhere.”
The decision to build on Solana and collaborate with Anchorage Digital reflects what the company described as a shared goal of modernizing financial infrastructure in a regulated environment.
Anchorage, the first federally chartered digital asset bank in the United States, will handle the issuance and custody of USDPT.
Western Union said the network will also support conversion between digital and local currencies by linking with its existing payout channels.
The company expects this could improve efficiency for cash and digital remittances, particularly in markets where access to financial services remains limited.
If successfully implemented, the USDPT initiative could mark a significant step in the convergence of blockchain and traditional remittance systems, as Western Union joins a growing number of established financial institutions experimenting with stablecoins to enhance cross-border payments.