Polygon Acquires Coinme and Sequence in $250M Push to Build US-Regulated Crypto Payments Network
The cryptocurrency industry has spent more than a decade promising real-world payments. This week, Polygon took one of his boldest steps yet to fulfill that promise.
In an operation valued at more than $250 millionPolygon has acquired two US-based crypto infrastructure companies. Coinme and Sequencesignaling a major strategic shift away from speculative blockchain narratives and toward regulated real money payments in the United States.
The move positions Polygon not only as a blockchain network, but also as a regulated digital payments stack capable of moving fiat and stablecoins on-chain to US compliance standards. Industry analysts say the acquisition could reshape the way cryptocurrencies integrate with everyday finance, particularly in regulated markets.
A strategic shift from infrastructure to payments
Over the years, Polygon built its reputation as a high-performance scaling solution for Ethereum, powering decentralized finance, gaming, NFTs, and enterprise pilots. This latest acquisition marks a clear evolution in its mission.
Instead of simply supporting apps, Polygon is now assembling what it calls a end-to-end payments ecosystemdesigned to operate within existing financial regulations.
Polygon’s co-founder teased the change earlier this month. Sandeep Nailwalwho posted a cryptic message on X suggesting that “the next phase” of Polygon would surprise the market. The Coinme and Sequence acquisitions reveal what that phase looks like: regulated access, user simplicity, and institutional-grade compliance.
Why Coinme changes the game
Coinme is one of the most established crypto providers in the United States. Through the acquisition, Polygon obtains:
 |
| Source: Xpost |
• Money transmitter licenses in 48 US states
• Access to over 50,000 fiat to crypto locations on a national scale
• Established compliance frameworks aligned with US regulators.
Coinme’s network includes partnerships with leading retail kiosks and payment points, allowing users to convert cash into digital assets legally and transparently. For Polygon, this instantly removes one of the biggest barriers to cryptocurrency adoption: compatible access to fiat money.
With Coinme, Polygon no longer needs to rely on third-party onramps. It now controls a licensed gateway between traditional finance and blockchain settlement.
Sequence brings wallet simplicity to the stack
While Coinme addresses regulation and access, Sequence solves a different problem: user experience.
Sequence is known for its smart wallet technology that allows users to interact with blockchain applications without managing private keys, gas fees, or complex bridges. Its infrastructure allows:
• One-click cross-chain transactions
• Integrated wallets for applications and platforms
• Rate and abstracted gas management
By integrating Sequence, Polygon eliminates much of the technical friction that has kept crypto payments out of mainstream use. Payments are made in the background, while users experience something more akin to traditional fintech applications.
Polygon Open Money Stack Explained
Together, Coinme and Sequence form the basis of what Polygon calls the Open pile of money.
The stack combines:
• Regulated fiduciary entry and exit ramps
• Smart wallet infrastructure
• Stablecoin settlement layers
• Compliance and reporting tools
• Cross-chain execution
For developers and businesses, this means that a single API can handle everything from bank transfers to on-chain settlements. For consumers, it means sending money over blockchain rails without needing to understand how blockchains work.
Industry observers say this approach reflects the evolution of fintech platforms, where complexity is hidden behind clean user interfaces.
A rare move on public blockchains
Most public blockchains avoid direct regulatory exposure, leaving compliance in the hands of third parties. Polygon’s decision to directly acquire licensed companies is unusual.
In doing so, Polygon positions itself closer to payment networks than experimental cryptographic protocols. Analysts say this could attract banks, fintech companies, remittance providers and payroll platforms looking to use blockchain rails without regulatory uncertainty.
Unlike private or permissioned chains, Polygon attempts to build this system while remaining open and decentralized, a balance that few networks have achieved at scale.
Generate income beyond token speculation
The acquisition also reflects a broader shift in the crypto economy.
For much of the industry’s history, the value of the network was primarily tied to token prices. Polygon’s strategy suggests a different model: transaction driven revenue.
According to people familiar with the roadmap, Polygon aims to generate revenue through payment processing fees, stablecoin transfers, and enterprise integrations. Estimates suggest annual revenue potential could exceed $100 millionindependent of token price cycles.
This approach could help stabilize the ecosystem during periods of market volatility and reduce reliance on speculative trading.
Market Reaction and Outlook for POL Token
Following news of the acquisition, Polygon’s native token, POL, saw renewed interest. Market data shows that POL gained almost 8% in the last trading sessions, supported by increased network activity and the ongoing token burn scheduled for 2026.
 |
| Source: CoinMarketCap |
Technical analysts note that sustained strength above key levels could open the door to higher price targets, while a break below support could trigger short-term pullbacks. However, long-term sentiment seems more tied to adoption metrics than hype.
What this means for the future of crypto payments
Polygon’s acquisition of Coinme and Sequence marks a turning point not only for the network, but also for the crypto industry as a whole.
It represents a shift from theoretical use cases to regulated, consumer-ready infrastructure. Instead of asking users to adapt to the complexity of the blockchain, Polygon is adapting the blockchain to fit existing financial behavior.
If successful, this model could accelerate the integration of cryptocurrencies into everyday payments, particularly in jurisdictions where regulation has slowed its adoption.
Conclusion
By acquiring Coinme and Sequence, Polygon is betting that the future of cryptocurrencies lies not in speculation, but in regulated utility.
With licensed onramps, simplified wallets, and supported payment pathways, Polygon is positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain settlement. The move underscores a growing industry understanding: mass adoption will not come from hype, but from infrastructure that works quietly, securely and within the rules.
For the first time, sending money on-chain in the United States may begin to seem as normal as sending a bank transfer.
hokanews.com – Not just cryptocurrency news. It’s cryptoculture.
