Western Union WUUSD trademark exposed! Stablecoin Wallet lending fully enters the encryption space.

Western Union announced that just one day after launching a stablecoin system on the Solana platform in early 2026, it applied for a trademark covering a variety of crypto assets services. The company submitted a trademark registration application for “WUUSD” to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, covering a range of crypto assets services related to stablecoins. The application documents indicate that the WUUSD trademark can be used in areas such as crypto wallets, crypto assets trading, and stablecoin payment processing.

WUUSD Trademark Reveals Western Union's Crypto Ambitions

(Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office)

The trademark application for “WUUSD” submitted by Western Union indicates that the company is considering establishing a Crypto Assets Wallet, Crypto Assets trading, and even Crypto Assets lending services. The agency has accepted the case, but it has not yet been assigned to a reviewer. The timing of this trademark application is intriguing, occurring just one day after Western Union announced the launch of a stablecoin, showing that the company's layout in the Crypto Assets market is far more comprehensive than the outside world imagines.

Western Union announced the launch of its stablecoin, named USD Payment Token (USDPT), during its investor conference call on October 23, and stated on Tuesday that the token will be launched on the Solana blockchain in the first half of 2026. The company also mentioned that it will collaborate with Anchorage Digital Bank to launch a digital asset network as a cash withdrawal channel for its stablecoin services.

It is currently unclear what the difference is between WUUSD and USDPT, as Western Union also submitted the same trademark application for USDPT in early October. The simultaneous applications for the two trademarks may indicate that Western Union is preparing for different product lines or service categories, or it may simply be to comprehensively protect its brand's intellectual property in the encryption field.

The application document for WUUSD provides a detailed explanation of its use for stablecoin exchange and trading services, as well as “stablecoin payment processing.” The document suggests that a broader range of Crypto Assets services will be offered and mentions that the trademark can be used for software that manages and verifies Crypto Assets transactions, or for software “used for consuming and trading Crypto Assets.” This comprehensive service scope indicates that Western Union aims not just to issue a stablecoin, but to establish a complete encryption financial services ecosystem.

From remittance giant to crypto all-in-one service provider

The scope of services listed in the document goes far beyond traditional remittance business. Cryptocurrency exchanges, trading and payment processing services, as well as “financial brokerage services for cryptocurrency trading” are all included under the protection of the WUUSD trademark. This means that Western Union may not only want to become a stablecoin issuer but also aims to be a comprehensive service provider in the cryptocurrency field.

It is worth noting that the document mentions crypto assets lending services and adds that the service “is a transaction of securities and derivative products,” which may differ significantly from Western Union's typical remittance and receiving services. Crypto assets lending services involve complex risk management and regulatory compliance requirements, indicating that Western Union is seriously considering entering the DeFi space.

The six service categories covered by the WUUSD trademark

Crypto Wallet Services: Providing digital asset storage and management solutions.

Stablecoin Exchange and Trading: WUUSD exchange service with other crypto assets or fiat currency.

Payment Processing: Providing stablecoin payment settlement infrastructure for merchants and individuals.

Exchange Services: Provide a Crypto Assets trading platform or access to existing exchanges.

Financial Brokerage Services: Providing clients with Crypto Assets investment consulting and trade execution.

Lending and Derivatives: Providing collateralized lending, securities, and derivatives trading services

This comprehensive service layout shows that Western Union is extending its global network advantages accumulated in the traditional remittance market to the crypto assets field. With its business coverage in over 200 countries and regions, along with decades of accumulated compliance experience, Western Union has a unique advantage in entering the crypto market.

From a business logic perspective, Western Union's core business is cross-border remittances, which aligns closely with the use cases of stablecoins. Traditional cross-border remittance fees are high and the arrival times are slow, while stablecoins can complete cross-border transfers in minutes, with fees being just a fraction of traditional methods. If Western Union can combine its vast agent network with stablecoin services, it will create a strong competitive advantage.

GENIUS Act spurs traditional financial giants to enter the market

Since the United States passed the GENIUS Act in July, payment and banking service providers have been paying attention to the wider application of stablecoins. The Act clearly stipulates how companies can offer stablecoins pegged to the USD. This regulatory clarity has cleared the biggest barrier for traditional financial institutions to enter the Crypto Assets market.

The full name of the “GENIUS Act” is “Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act,” which establishes a federal regulatory framework for stablecoin issuers. The act requires stablecoin issuers to hold 1:1 reserves in USD, undergo regular audits, and comply with anti-money laundering and customer identity verification regulations. These requirements do not pose technical barriers for traditional financial institutions with mature compliance systems; rather, they become an advantage over crypto-native companies.

Western Union's choice of Solana as the stablecoin deployment platform is a strategic decision worth noting. Solana is known for its high throughput (theoretically 65,000 transactions per second) and low transaction fees (usually below 0.001 USD), making these features highly suitable for large-scale cross-border payment applications. In contrast, Ethereum's gas fees can reach several dozen dollars during peak periods, which is an unacceptable cost for small remittances.

Other fintech companies are also following suit. According to relevant reports, as fintech companies change their attitude towards Crypto Assets, Revolut has launched a 1:1 USD to stablecoin exchange service. PayPal also launched its own stablecoin PYUSD in 2023. The entry of these traditional financial institutions is changing the competitive landscape of the stablecoin market, shifting from dominance by crypto-native companies to a mixed battle between traditional finance and crypto-native companies.

The Global Network Advantages and Challenges of Western Union

Western Union has a history of over 150 years, with more than 600,000 agent locations worldwide. This massive physical network is its greatest advantage in entering the crypto market. Imagine when users can exchange cash for WUUSD at any Western Union outlet around the world, or exchange WUUSD for local currency, the utility of stablecoins will be greatly enhanced.

This model that combines online and offline is difficult for purely online stablecoins like USDT and USDC to replicate. Currently, stablecoins mainly rely on crypto exchanges as the channels for deposits and withdrawals, making it hard for ordinary users to purchase stablecoins directly with cash. The network of Western Union agents can solve this “last mile” problem, allowing stablecoins to truly enter the homes of ordinary people.

However, Western Union also faces challenges. First is the shift in brand recognition; Western Union is seen as a traditional remittance company, and it will take time and education for users to accept its encryption services. Second is the construction of technical capabilities; managing crypto wallets, operating exchanges, and providing lending services require a completely different tech stack compared to traditional remittances. Third is the competition with crypto-native companies; USDT and USDC have already captured a significant portion of the stablecoin market, and Western Union needs to find a differentiated advantage to break through.

From the content of the trademark application, Western Union clearly recognizes these challenges and has chosen a comprehensive layout strategy. By providing a full chain of services from Wallet to exchange to lending, Western Union attempts to create a closed-loop ecosystem to increase user stickiness. Whether this strategy can succeed will depend on its execution capability and market response.

The Major Changes in the Stablecoin Market in 2026

Western Union plans to launch the USDPT stablecoin on the Solana blockchain in the first half of 2026, in collaboration with Anchorage Digital Bank to introduce a digital asset network. Anchorage Digital Bank is the first cryptocurrency bank to receive a national banking charter in the United States, and its participation provides compliant custody and clearing infrastructure for Western Union's stablecoin.

The launch schedule for the first half of 2026 implies that Western Union still has about half a year for technical development, regulatory applications, and market testing. This period is necessary for traditional financial institutions as they need to ensure the stability and compliance of the system. In contrast, crypto-native companies often adopt a “launch quickly, iterate while using” strategy, which is a fundamental cultural difference between the two.

From the market timing perspective, the first half of 2026 could be a crucial turning point for the stablecoin market. By then, the implementation details of the “GENIUS Act” will be clearer, and more traditional financial institutions may have launched their own stablecoins. Western Union choosing this timing to enter the market can avoid becoming a “guinea pig” bearing early risks and not be too late to miss market opportunities.

The entry of Western Union into the stablecoin market is emblematic. It signifies that the traditional financial system’s recognition of Crypto Assets has shifted from observation to actual action. When a financial giant with 150 years of history and serving hundreds of millions of users officially enters the crypto market, the legitimacy and mainstream progress of this market will become irreversible.