Payment company MoneyGram has become a Solana validator, further expanding its blockchain payment footprint

June 22 – Global payments firm MoneyGram announced it has officially become an approved Solana network validator and joined the Solana Developer Platform, cementing its formal entry into the Solana ecosystem. This makes MoneyGram only the third blockchain operator to run an official validation node, joining Tempo and Midnight Network in that role. MoneyGram CEO Anthony Soohoo said in a statement that as blockchain infrastructure grows more critical to the global payments sector, institutions relying on these networks have a responsibility to contribute to their security and long-term stability. As a validator, Soohoo explained, MoneyGram will support Solana’s core operations—including staking SOL and processing transaction blocks—to keep the network running smoothly. Additionally, joining the Solana Developer Platform will give MoneyGram access to specialized development tools for building financial products, alongside opportunities to partner with institutions like Mastercard on Solana-based applications. In line with its broader blockchain strategy, MoneyGram has expanded its crypto-focused initiatives in recent years: its stablecoin MGUSD was launched with partners including Bridge, Crossmint, Fireblocks, M0, and Stellar, and the firm also extended stablecoin fiat on-ramp and off-ramp services via a collaboration with Kraken. The company stressed that it views blockchain as a tool to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of global fund flows—not an end goal in itself.