• Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
Stock

Google Cloud enters $30 trillion payments race with blockchain ledger GCUL

by August 27, 2025
by August 27, 2025

Google Cloud has stepped into financial technology with the launch of its new blockchain platform, Google Cloud Universal Ledger (GCUL).

The system, currently in private testing, is designed to speed up and reduce the cost of global payments, while aiming to challenge established players such as Ripple, Circle, and Stripe.

The move comes as stablecoin transaction volumes reached $30 trillion in 2024, highlighting the growing demand for blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

Google is positioning GCUL as a neutral, compliance-friendly solution for financial institutions, with a commercial rollout planned as early as 2026.

Google Cloud’s blockchain GCUL targets financial institutions

GCUL has been introduced as a Layer 1 blockchain built specifically for financial services.

Google Cloud’s head of Web3 strategy, Rich Widmann, described the ledger as an infrastructure tool for banks, payment processors, and intermediaries that want to modernise their operations without maintaining complex systems.

The platform supports Python-based smart contracts, offering institutions the ability to automate payments and integrate digital assets.

Google has stressed three main features: simplicity, by offering a single API for multiple currencies; flexibility, through scalable smart contracts; and safety, via a permissioned, compliance-driven environment that requires KYC-verified accounts.

Some in the crypto sector have raised concerns, suggesting GCUL resembles a consortium chain rather than a fully decentralised network.

Google has responded by emphasising that its focus is on security, compliance, and institutional adoption rather than catering to retail cryptocurrency users.

Competing with Ripple, Circle, and Stripe in payments

The timing of GCUL’s introduction places Google Cloud in direct competition with other blockchain-based payment initiatives.

Ripple continues to expand its XRP-powered cross-border remittance services, Circle has recently launched its own blockchain Arc, and Stripe is testing its Tempo system for developers.

The payments race reflects the scale of the opportunity.

Traditional payment firms handled significantly lower transaction volumes in 2024, with PayPal processing $1.6 trillion and Visa handling $13 trillion.

In contrast, stablecoin volumes far outpaced them, reaching $30 trillion last year.

Google hopes to capture a share of this fast-growing market by offering financial institutions lower fees, 24/7 settlement, and built-in compliance features.

Unlike rivals that push their own tokens, Google has presented GCUL as a neutral platform open to different financial players.

Its design as a permissioned ledger aims to balance regulatory expectations with the efficiencies of blockchain.

Partnership with CME Group and testing timeline

Google unveiled GCUL in March alongside CME Group, one of the largest derivatives marketplaces globally.

CME is already testing tokenisation and wholesale payment applications on the platform.

The first testing phase has been completed, and broader institutional trials are planned later this year.

If the trials prove successful, GCUL could see an official launch in 2026, marking Google Cloud’s entry into a multi-trillion-dollar payments market.

The collaboration with CME Group signals Google’s strategy of aligning with established financial institutions rather than directly competing with them.

This approach could allow GCUL to scale adoption more quickly than blockchain projects that focus on consumer use cases.

The post Google Cloud enters $30 trillion payments race with blockchain ledger GCUL appeared first on Invezz

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
‘Dr. Strangelove with a mustache’: Bolton blasted for ‘profiteering’ off US secrets by White House advisor
next post
Zinc prices rally on US rate cut hopes, despite supply oversupply

Related Posts

Asia markets open: Nikkei hits 51,000 for the...

October 29, 2025

Morning brief: AWS’s $5B South Korea plan; Trump...

October 29, 2025

US retail power prices soar: data centers and...

October 29, 2025

China resumes US soybean imports as trade deal...

October 29, 2025

Amazon’s AWS to fuel South Korea’s AI hub...

October 29, 2025

Visa expands stablecoin network across four blockchains

October 29, 2025

US–China trade talks shift focus to AI chips,...

October 29, 2025

Europe markets open: Stocks flat as Fed looms;...

October 29, 2025

Banijay to acquire majority stake in Tipico creating...

October 28, 2025

Cathie Wood warns investors to brace for correction,...

October 28, 2025

Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.

By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

Recent Posts

  • Parks Associates Examines Edge AI Innovations in Evolving IoT Ecosystem

    October 29, 2025
  • Cowboy Diplomacy: Ranchers Reject Tariff Rhetoric

    October 29, 2025
  • We Have Never Been Austere

    October 29, 2025
  • Asia markets open: Nikkei hits 51,000 for the first time; Sensex jumps 100 points

    October 29, 2025
  • Morning brief: AWS’s $5B South Korea plan; Trump on Kim meet; Oil steady

    October 29, 2025
  • US retail power prices soar: data centers and supply constraints drive up costs

    October 29, 2025

Editors’ Picks

  • 1

    Meta executives eligible for 200% salary bonus under new pay structure

    February 21, 2025
  • 2

    Pop Mart reports 188% profit surge, plans aggressive global expansion

    March 26, 2025
  • 3

    New FBI leader Kash Patel tapped to run ATF as acting director

    February 23, 2025
  • 4

    Walmart earnings preview: What to expect before Thursday’s opening bell

    February 20, 2025
  • 5

    Cramer reveals a sub-sector of technology that can withstand Trump tariffs

    March 1, 2025
  • 6

    Anthropic’s newly released Claude 3.7 Sonnet can ‘think’ as long as the user wants before giving an answer

    February 25, 2025
  • 7

    Nvidia’s investment in SoundHound wasn’t all that significant after all

    March 1, 2025

Categories

  • Economy (3,045)
  • Editor's Pick (298)
  • Investing (185)
  • Stock (2,072)
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Read alsox

Europe markets open: FTSE 100 drops 0.2%...

August 14, 2025

Why Hims & Hers stock is failing...

October 18, 2025

Price war sidelines Tesco, Sainsbury’s from FTSE...

April 10, 2025