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Insights and Expertise

Just as merchants in the 1700s
discounted paper from fiscally

weaker colonies, today’s users
may face costs when transacting Association Shows:
across incompatible stablecoin
ecosystems. Northeast Acquirers Association
NEAA 2026

Highlights: The first U.S. regional acquirers association, the
while tapping into new revenue streams. Going back Northeast Acquirers Association was founded in 1985 to serve
to Jeff Cangialosi's narrow use model, some banks may and educate all distribution channels in the electronic payments
specialize in cross-boarder settlement and specifically industry in the Northeast. NEAA’s annual meeting consistently
cater to businesses with that need. Others may try to brings together the smartest minds in payments and is known
leverage the escrowed funds, and while the GENIUS as the place where ideas move the industry.
Act prevents interest from being paid on stablecoins, Speaker sessions are where trends are unpacked, strategies are
some could innovatively reward customers in propor- sharpened and connections begin.
tion to their stablecoins. Presenters slated for 2026 will focus on cutting through the
noise and delivering insight that sticks. Numerous sponsors,
Recent SEC guidance strengthens this opportunity. exhibitors and attendees have attested that NEAA is the one
As reported by The Block, SEC guidance allows USD- event they never miss. It’s where deals get made, partnerships
pegged stablecoins with guaranteed redemption get started and the right people are always in the room.
mechanisms to be classified as cash equivalents on bal- When: Feb. 4 – 5, 2026
ance sheets (see http://bit.ly/4gvqEN7). This places them Where: Encore Boston Harbor - Boston, Ma
on par with cash, rather than securities, making them
far more attractive for CFOs and borrowers. Registration: https://www.northeastacquirers.com/
The history of colonial currencies reminds us what
happens when multiple issuers compete without unify-
ing rules: fragmentation, inefficiency and loss of trust. 2026 Events
Stablecoins may serve as a useful transitional tool, but
without broader interoperability and consistent regu- ATMIA / US Conference 2026
lation, their proponents risk repeating old mistakes.
Feb. 10 - 12, 2026, Arlington, Tx.
If thoughtfully integrated, however, stablecoins could
become a limited but powerful tool, bridging gaps in TRANSACT2026
settlement, reducing costs and offering banks new op- March 18 - 20, 2026, Atlanta, Ga.
portunities, all while reminding us that financial sta-
bility depends on innovation delivered by a trusted Nacha’s Smarter Faster Payments 2026
source. April 26 - 29, 2026, San Diego, Ca.

As founder of Humboldt Merchant Services, co-founder of Eureka SEAA 2026
Payments, and a former executive for such payments innovators June 8 - 11, 2026, Miami, Fl.
as WePay, a division of JPMorgan Chase, Ken Musante has experi-
ence in all aspects of successful ISO building. He currently provides MWAA 2026
consulting services and expert witness testimony as founder of Napa July 22 - 23, 2026, Chicago, Il.
Payments and Consulting, www.napapaymentsandconsulting.
com. Contact him at kenm@napapaymentsandconsulting.com,
707-601-7656 or www.linkedin.com/in/ken-musante-us.

Visit www.greensheet.com/datebook.php for more
events and a year-at-a-glance event chart.

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