Money, Rebuilt: ZeroHash’s Edward Woodford on Stablecoins and Digital Money Movement

Stablecoins were once a footnote in the crypto conversation. Now they’re becoming the plumbing. For financial institutions, brokerages, and two-sided marketplaces, the question is no longer whether to engage with digital assets, but how to do it without rebuilding everything from scratch. In this episode of Fintech Files from BCG Platinion, Edward Woodford, CEO and Founder of zerohash, shares what it takes to bring digital assets into the institutional mainstream. He shares the journey from crypto’s uncertain early days to institutional adoption at scale, and why stablecoins may be closer to the center of financial services than most people realize. Discussion Highlights: Building the Infrastructure Layer: How zerohash built its full-stack offering across liquidity, custody, settlement, and compliance, and what it took to earn institutional trust. Stablecoins as Real-Time Money Movement: Why stablecoins are moving beyond speculation into payment infrastructure, and what that unlocks for firms and their clients. The Fragmentation Problem: Why proliferation of stablecoins across blockchains creates as many challenges as opportunities, and what the market needs to mature. Stablecoins vs. Tokenised Deposits: How frameworks like the GENIUS Act are shaping the distinction between the two, and what it means for institutions navigating both. New Use Cases, Real Traction: From payroll to marketplace payouts, where stablecoin is gaining genuine momentum and what it signals about the future of money movement. The Convergence Ahead: Why the lines between crypto platforms and traditional brokerages are blurring, and how stablecoins could underpin commerce in an AI-driven economy. About Fintech Files: Join us on Fintech Files from BCG Platinion as we explore the cutting-edge trends disrupting Fintech today. From NeoBanks to cryptocurrency, we delve into the dynamic landscape of financial technology through insightful conversations with global disruptors. We’ll uncover the most groundbreaking trends shaping the future of Fintech and examine their impact on the financial world. We focus on real-world examples, making financial technology relatable and accessible to both Fintech enthusiasts and professionals alike. Hosted by Annika Melchert , a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in the Middle East, and Nora Hocke , a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in Sydney, our hosts bring expertise in tech transformations, platform architecture, and digital innovation. Annika and Nora work with Fintechs and incumbent banks, and together they offer unique insights into the evolving financial landscape, drawing on their wealth of experience with leading organizations. Bianca Lopes is an entrepreneur and economist from Brazil with a background in digital identity and biometrics. Having supported over 40 financial institutions and eight governments, Bianca’s work reshapes technology, reimagines identity, and drives innovation.