WSJ Tech News Briefing: June 23, 2025

Host: Victoria Craig
Podcast: WSJ Tech News Briefing
Episode Title: TNB Tech Minute: Main Street Banks Could Get Opening to Join Stablecoin Market
Release Date: June 23, 2025

The WSJ Tech News Briefing episode released on June 23, 2025, delves into significant advancements and strategic shifts within the technology and financial sectors. Hosted by Victoria Craig of The Wall Street Journal, this episode provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, innovative partnerships, and groundbreaking scientific endeavors shaping the current tech landscape.

1. Main Street Banks Embrace the Stablecoin Market

Victoria Craig opens the episode by addressing the evolving dynamics between traditional banking institutions and the burgeoning cryptocurrency market. She emphasizes the potential opportunity for regional and community banks to integrate stablecoins into their operations, mitigating fears of being overshadowed by the crypto revolution.

“Main street banks worried about getting left behind by the push into crypto might soon get an opening,” Craig remarks at 00:31.

Fiserv's Strategic Move:
Financial technology giant Fiserv is spearheading this integration by planning to launch a stablecoin alongside a dedicated platform tailored for approximately 3,000 regional and community banks. This initiative aims to provide these banks with the tools necessary to participate in the digital currency market securely and efficiently.

Implications for Local Banks:
Craig elaborates on the critical role of deposits for local banks, which primarily rely on these funds to issue loans. She warns that a significant shift of deposits from traditional accounts to stablecoins could constrain these banks' lending capabilities, thereby impacting their revenue streams.

“A broad shift to crypto would put deposits at those more local banks at risk because they're reliant on those deposits to make loans,” Craig explains at 00:31.

By adopting stablecoins, these banks can offer their customers digital currency options without entirely relinquishing control over their deposit bases, striking a balance between innovation and financial stability.

2. Continental and GlobalFoundries Partner to Develop Automotive Chips

Shifting focus to the automotive sector, Craig highlights a strategic partnership between Continental, a leading German auto parts manufacturer, and GlobalFoundries, a prominent semiconductor manufacturer. This collaboration marks a significant step towards advancing automotive technology through customized semiconductor solutions.

Formation of Advanced Electronics and Semiconductor Solutions:
The partnership has led to the creation of a new entity, Advanced Electronics and Semiconductor Solutions, dedicated to designing and testing vehicle-specific computer chips. This initiative aims to enhance the performance, reliability, and security of automotive electronic systems.

“The new organization, called Advanced Electronics and Semiconductor Solutions, will design and test chips tailored for automotive products,” Craig notes at 00:31.

Reducing Geopolitical Risks:
By developing in-house semiconductor capabilities, Continental seeks to mitigate geopolitical risks associated with global supply chain disruptions. This move towards self-reliance ensures a more stable and secure supply of critical components essential for modern vehicles.

“Of its spin-off Amovio, Continental said the new unit will reduce geopolitical risk and make the company more self-reliant,” Craig adds at 00:31.

This partnership underscores the increasing importance of semiconductors in the automotive industry, particularly with the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles that demand sophisticated electronic systems.

3. Breakthroughs in Astronomy: Legacy Survey of Space and Time

In a fascinating segment on scientific advancements, Craig reports on the inaugural successes of a U.S.-funded space observatory located in the Andes Mountains of Chile. Equipped with the world's largest digital camera, the observatory has begun capturing unprecedented images of deep space.

Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST):
The project, known as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, is set to revolutionize our understanding of the cosmos over the next decade. The observatory will conduct regular imaging of the Southern sky, capturing photos at 30-second intervals every three to four nights.

“The Legacy Survey of Space and Time... will inventory the solar system, map the Milky Way, catalog billions of transient space objects and unlock the mysteries of dark matter and energy,” Craig describes at 00:31.

Scientific Objectives:
The primary goals of the LSST include:

• Inventorying the Solar System: Tracking and cataloging objects within our solar vicinity to understand their distribution and dynamics.
• Mapping the Milky Way: Creating a detailed map of our galaxy to study its structure, formation, and evolution.
• Cataloging Transient Objects: Identifying and monitoring transient astronomical events, such as supernovae and variable stars, to gain insights into their nature and origins.
• Exploring Dark Matter and Energy: Investigating the elusive components that constitute a significant portion of the universe's mass-energy content.

Technological Achievement:
The deployment of the world's largest digital camera enables the LSST to capture high-resolution images with unparalleled clarity, facilitating breakthroughs in astronomical research and data analysis.

4. Looking Ahead: Future Episodes and In-Depth Analysis

Victoria Craig concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to stay tuned for deeper explorations of these topics in future broadcasts.

“For a deeper dive into what’s happening in tech, check out Tuesday’s Tech News Briefing podcast,” she invites at 00:31.

This episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing encapsulates the intersection of traditional industries with cutting-edge technology, highlighting the strategic maneuvers of financial and automotive sectors in response to digital transformation, as well as showcasing monumental strides in scientific research. Through insightful analysis and expert commentary, Victoria Craig delivers a nuanced perspective on the forces shaping the future of technology.