HARRISBURG, Pa. — CrossState Credit Union Association and Metallicus have announced the launch of Innovation Program 2.0, an initiative the organizations said is designed to help credit unions evaluate stablecoins, digital identity, blockchain infrastructure and faster payments through executive education, sandbox testing and strategic collaboration.
According to CrossState and Metallicus, the initiative launches with an initial cohort of 50 participating credit unions across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, creating what they described as one of the largest coordinated stablecoin and blockchain initiatives among regional credit union associations.
The organizations said that as credit unions continue evaluating ways to modernize payments, strengthen fraud prevention and prepare for emerging digital financial infrastructure, initiatives focused on blockchain, stablecoins and digital identity are gaining increased attention across the credit union industry.
Through the partnership, CrossState member credit unions will gain access to tools and resources designed to help them evaluate emerging technologies without operational disruption, core integration requirements or member-facing risk, according to the CrossState CU Association.
Access to Education and More
“Credit unions are looking for practical ways to better understand how emerging technologies may impact payments, operations, fraud prevention, and member experience,” Patrick Conway, president and CEO of CrossState Credit Union Association, said in a statement. “This initiative gives our member credit unions access to education, collaboration, and hands-on evaluation opportunities that support informed decision-making while maintaining the governance and trust that credit unions are known for.”
According to the organizations, the Stablecoin Sandbox Program will allow participating credit unions to test a personalized, credit union-branded stablecoin within a simulated environment. The sandbox is intended to help leadership teams better understand issuance models, permissions, transaction flows, governance and operational considerations without using real funds, reserves or member accounts.
‘Immediate Momentum’
“Launching this initiative with CrossState and an initial 50-credit-union commitment creates immediate momentum for collaborative learning,” Frank Mazza, director of blockchain and digital assets for credit unions at Metallicus, said in a statement. “Our goal is to help credit unions better understand how stablecoins, digital identity, and faster payments may support future operational and member service strategies.”
Areas to be Explored
Participating credit unions will be able to explore strategic areas including:
- Faster Payments and Digital Wallet Infrastructure
- Credit Union-Branded Stablecoins
- Digital Identity and Fraud Prevention
- Compliance Automation and Auditability
- Treasury Management Workflows
- Cross-Border Payments
CrossState and Metallicus said the Innovation Program reflects growing interest across the credit union movement in exploring blockchain and digital asset technologies through collaborative education, strategic evaluation and innovation-focused partnerships.
Company’s Role
According to Metallicus, which is a CUSO, said it supports credit unions in exploring and adopting blockchain, digital asset and stablecoin capabilities through what it described as a purpose-built suite of products. Metallicus said it serves as both the infrastructure partner and core developer, building and operating its technology in-house without reliance on third-party providers.
The company said the approach is intended to help credit unions modernize payments, digital wallets and member services in a secure and compliant manner while integrating with existing systems and operations.
