TruStage, a fintech firm serving over 93% of U.S. credit unions, has announced a pilot program for a new dollar-pegged stablecoin, the TruStage Stablecoin (TSDA). The initiative is being launched in partnership with blockchain infrastructure provider Block Time Financial.
Block Time will provide operational support, including security protocols and digital account capabilities. A TruStage affiliate will act as the official issuer and custodian, managing the token's 1:1 cash reserves. The companies describe TSDA's framework as a "collaborative stablecoin model."
The pilot program is actively recruiting credit unions and is scheduled to run throughout the first half of 2026. TruStage anticipates TSDA will be used for loan funding and settlements, peer-to-peer transactions, cross-border payments, and inter-credit-union disbursements.
Leadership from both companies highlighted the strategic timing and potential. "We're thrilled to see stablecoins gaining traction within financial institutions as an emerging payment infrastructure, yet one of the largest untapped segments is credit unions," said Block Time CEO Bruce Rosenheimer. Brian Kass, President and Managing Director of TruStage Ventures, noted the firm's exploration was bolstered by the passage of the GENIUS Act, which established federal standards for stablecoin issuers. "In my career working with credit unions, I've never witnessed the level of engagement surrounding any technology advancement similar to what I'm seeing with stablecoin solutions right now," Kass added.
The move comes as broader crypto market structure legislation in Congress remains stalled, partly due to banking and credit union concerns over yield-bearing tokens drawing deposits away from traditional accounts. TruStage's model focuses on payments and settlement rather than yield generation.
Terrance Williams, President and CEO of TruStage, stated, "Stablecoins are changing how people and institutions move money, and they offer a valuable opportunity to expand access to financial services, which aligns with the TruStage mission." The news follows projections from institutions like Standard Chartered, which expects the global stablecoin market cap to reach $2 trillion by the end of 2028.
