Polygon Labs' $250M Acquisition of Coinme and Sequence: Accelerating the Open Money Stack and Redefining DeFi Infrastructure

Polygon Labs' recent $250 million acquisition of Coinme and Sequence marks a pivotal shift in the blockchain industry's approach to bridging traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure. By integrating these two firms into its broader vision for the Open Money Stack, Polygon is not only accelerating the adoption of a seamless, onchain financial ecosystem but also redefining the technical and regulatory boundaries of DeFi infrastructure. This strategic move positions Polygon as a leader in the next phase of blockchain innovation, where interoperability, compliance, and user experience converge to unlock mass-market utility for digital assets.

Strategic Implications: A Regulated, End-to-End Payments Ecosystem

Polygon's acquisition of Coinme-a U.S.-regulated fiat-to-crypto on-ramp provider with over 50,000 retail locations-and Sequence, a cross-chain smart wallet and orchestration platform, underscores its ambition to build a vertically integrated payments stack. According to a report by , this move is part of Polygon's broader strategy to dominate stablecoin-based transactions by combining regulated fiat access with cross-chain interoperability. The Open Money Stack, unveiled in early 2026, aims to abstract the complexities of blockchain for both enterprises and consumers, enabling real-time, 24/7 stablecoin settlements with lower fees and reduced reliance on traditional banking systems as reported.

By acquiring Coinme, Polygon gains immediate access to a physical on-ramp network that bridges the gap between fiat and crypto, a critical step for mainstream adoption. Coinme's 6,000+ ATMs and money-transmitter licenses across 48 U.S. states provide Polygon with a regulated infrastructure to facilitate fiat conversions at scale according to reports. Meanwhile, Sequence's cross-chain orchestration and intents engine simplify multi-chain transactions, allowing users to execute complex operations-such as swaps, bridging, and gas optimization-with a single click. Together, these acquisitions enable Polygon to offer a comprehensive, compliant, and user-friendly infrastructure for global money movement.

Technical Integration: Modular Infrastructure for Onchain Finance

The technical integration of Coinme and Sequence into the Open Money Stack introduces several innovations that redefine DeFi infrastructure. Coinme's enterprise APIs and SDKs allow fintechs and banks to embed fiat-to-crypto conversions directly into their platforms, while Sequence's smart wallet technology abstracts the need for users to manage multiple blockchain networks. As stated by Polygon's CEO, Marc Boiron, this integration enables the Open Money Stack to support both on-chain and off-chain transactions, ensuring that money "stays onchain forever" while offering yield generation, card programs, and rewards according to Polygon.

A key innovation lies in the intents engine developed by Sequence, which automates cross-chain transactions by allowing users to specify high-level goals (e.g., "send $100 to a friend") without needing to interact with bridges or gas fees. This abstraction layer significantly lowers the barrier to entry for non-technical users, aligning with Polygon's vision of democratizing access to DeFi. Additionally, the Open Money Stack's modular design allows developers to build applications that leverage stablecoin interoperability, on-chain identity management, and real-time settlement capabilities as detailed.

Innovations in DeFi Infrastructure: Lowering Costs and Expanding Utility

Polygon's acquisitions also address critical pain points in DeFi infrastructure. Traditional cross-border payments rely on correspondent banking systems, which are slow, opaque, and costly. By leveraging stablecoins as a settlement layer, the Open Money Stack enables real-time, low-cost transactions with predictable pricing. For example, a bank using Polygon's infrastructure could settle a $1 million international transfer in seconds, bypassing intermediaries and reducing fees by up to 90%.

Moreover, the integration of Coinme's regulated fiat on-ramps and Sequence's cross-chain capabilities creates a self-sustaining ecosystem where users can convert fiat to stablecoins, earn yield through DeFi protocols, and spend or transfer funds seamlessly. This model not only enhances the utility of stablecoins but also aligns with regulatory expectations by ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) requirements according to reports.

Market Impact and Future Outlook

The strategic shift from a software-focused model to a hybrid infrastructure that combines digital scalability with physical accessibility has already driven significant market momentum. According to CoinSpeaker, Polygon's native token, POL, surged nearly 20% following the acquisition announcement, reflecting investor confidence in the company's ability to capture a growing share of the stablecoin payments market as reported. With stablecoins projected to handle trillions in global transactions annually, Polygon's vertically integrated stack positions it to monetize through transaction fees, developer tools, and enterprise partnerships.

Looking ahead, the Open Money Stack's success will depend on its ability to scale adoption in both B2B and consumer markets. By targeting enterprises first-such as banks and remittance providers-Polygon can establish a foundation of trust and compliance before expanding to retail users. The integration of Coinme's physical ATMs and Sequence's user-friendly interfaces will be critical in this transition, as they provide tangible touchpoints for users unfamiliar with blockchain technology according to analysis.

Conclusion

Polygon Labs' acquisition of Coinme and Sequence represents a bold reimagining of DeFi infrastructure, where regulatory compliance, cross-chain interoperability, and user experience converge to create a seamless financial ecosystem. By building the Open Money Stack, Polygon is not only accelerating the adoption of onchain money movement but also setting a new standard for how digital assets interact with traditional finance. As stablecoins and decentralized infrastructure continue to gain traction, Polygon's strategic pivot positions it as a key player in the evolution of global payments-and a compelling investment opportunity for those seeking exposure to the next phase of blockchain innovation.