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PayPal Introduces A Stablecoin That’s Pegged With US Dollar
PayPal USD can be used to make purchases or pay other users.
Almost three years after adding cryptocurrency support for all US accounts, PayPal has launched its own stablecoin pegged against the US dollar. The new coin, known as PayPal USD, is “100 percent backed by US dollar deposits, short-term US Treasuries and similar cash equivalents,” according to the company.
PayPal went on to explain that its coin is issued on the Ethereum blockchain by the Paxos Trust Company, which is overseen by the New York State Department of Financial Services. The company also obtained a BitLicense from the NYDFS in June 2022.
PayPal USD coins can be bought and sold for $1 each. The currency can be used to purchase goods and services by selecting the option during any checkout session with PayPal. Users can also transfer the new cryptocurrency to external wallets or convert them to other coins in their accounts.
Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East
In a recent interview with Reuters, Ian Katz, managing director of Capital Alpha Partners, noted that the stablecoin could soon be in the sights of the Federal Reserve and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Time will tell if the company’s crypto venture can become a success.
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Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.