{
  "id": 48899,
  "title": "The future of crypto payments won't include on-ramps or bridges, Fun CEO says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/the-future-of-crypto-payments-wont-include-on-ramps-or-bridges-fun",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-02T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CoinDesk",
    "slug": "coindesk",
    "url": "https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/08/02/the-future-of-crypto-payments-won-t-include-on-ramps-or-bridges-fun-ceo-says"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As digital asset applications evolve, the need for separate crypto payment infrastructure like on-ramps and bridges is expected to diminish, according to Fun CEO Alex Fine. Rather than navigating through distinct funding, bridging and conversion steps, Fine predicts the next generation of crypto applications will seamlessly embed payments within the user experience, rendering the underlying blockchain complexity invisible. This shift, he argues, parallels traditional Web2 payments, where consumers are largely unaware of the infrastructure powering their transactions. Fine contends that the era of standalone on-ramps and external bridging sites will be over. People no longer wish to use a bridge solely for the purpose of using one; they prefer to utilize an application. Fun specializes in building backend technology that connects traditional payment systems with blockchain networks, providing APIs that enable fintechs and crypto applications to embed deposit, withdrawal, settlement, and checkout functionalities directly into their products, abstracting away the intricacies of fund transfers between fiat currencies, stablecoins, and blockchains. The company's infrastructure currently supports all deposits and withdrawals on Polymarket and deposit flows into Aave's largest vaults, processing over $3 billion in monthly transaction volume. Fine highlights that the crypto payments ecosystem remains fragmented, with developers compelled to combine various card processors, banking partners, crypto assets, blockchains, and bridges to create funding experiences. Instead of relying on individual payment rails, platforms should prioritize optimizing the end goal of swiftly and seamlessly funding users. Fine warns that many existing crypto payment businesses may become obsolete as this transition unfolds. Companies focused on converting fiat into crypto or moving assets between blockchains are addressing an intermediary step that users are not initially concerned about. Users are more interested in completing an action within an app, and the conversion process is merely a necessary step. Fine points to observable signs that standalone on-ramp providers and bridge interfaces are becoming less prominent as more applications integrate payments directly into their products, enabling customers to reuse saved payment credentials and complete transactions with a single click. This evolution extends to fraud and risk management as well. Payment systems should adapt their checks based on a user's history and behavior, tailoring the experience for long-standing customers with significant balances compared to first-time users. This allows platforms to maximize funding while managing risk more efficiently. Fine also emphasizes the promising growth of prediction markets and tokenized equities within the crypto space. While these sectors currently represent only a small fraction of their eventual potential, he anticipates liquidity expansion will unlock markets on niche events and enhance their utility as hedging tools. As liquidity grows, Fine believes millions of potential event contracts will emerge, significantly increasing the platforms' value.",
  "summary": "Alex Fine said standalone crypto payment rails are becoming obsolete as platforms shift toward unified funding flows that abstract away blockchain complexity for users.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}