Circle's inaugural ecosystem conference, Converge22, held in San Francisco, focused on transitioning the blockchain industry from speculation to utility by operationalizing existing protocols and tackling technological barriers, with an emphasis on creating tools for marginalized communities. The event showcased innovations such as Solana Pay's USDC payment systems and Stripe's USDC payouts to freelancers, highlighting how digital currencies can offer faster, cheaper, and more programmable payments. The conference underscored the need for a comprehensive legislative framework for payment stablecoins, with industry leaders and policymakers like former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and House Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Waters advocating for regulation to unlock the potential of stablecoins as a cornerstone of a modern payment system. The discussions emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships to advance blockchain-based payments, aiming to enhance global economic opportunity and prosperity by moving beyond speculation to deliver tangible utility value.