American Express Creates Stablecoin and Blockchain Partnerships VP Role, Pay Tops $282,000

American Express is stepping up its push into stablecoins and blockchain, moving beyond research and toward building products tied to digital dollars. The payments company has posted an opening for a newly created vice president of stablecoin and blockchain partnerships and strategy. The role sits within Amex's Digital Labs unit in New York and lists an annual salary range of $176,750 to $282,000. The posting says the executive will focus on integrating stablecoins into Amex's existing payment rails and developing partnerships with token issuers, networks, and what the company describes as "emerging commerce ecosystems." Amex also advertised a second senior position: vice president of onchain products. Together, the listings point to a broader team buildout aimed at blockchain-native capabilities rather than a single exploratory hire. The hiring drive comes as major rivals Visa and Mastercard expand stablecoin settlement pilots, and as a number of former Amex and Visa executives have moved on to launch stablecoin ventures targeting mainstream brands. CEO Stephen Squeri has previously framed stablecoins as a potential alternative to traditional payment networks, while noting that a crypto-linked Amex card remains a distant prospect. The new roles suggest the company is shifting from public discussion to internal development. The wider industry has accelerated over the past year, helped by clearer U.S. policy signals. The two largest stablecoins now total about $260 billion in combined market capitalization, roughly triple their 2023 level. Analysts expect stablecoins to represent a growing share of dollar-denominated payments by the end of the decade. Timing is also being shaped by regulation. Congress passed the GENIUS Act, creating the first federal framework for payment stablecoins and classifying them as payment instruments rather than securities. Six federal agencies are working toward implementation rules ahead of a July 18 statutory deadline; issuers would then have roughly 120 days to meet compliance requirements. Bitcoin.com News also reported that stablecoin issuer Circle recently urged the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to finalize stronger rules grounded in law. Attention now turns to whether Amex's stablecoin team can deliver a tangible offering—such as a merchant settlement suite or a cross-border transfer platform—before the GENIUS Act framework takes effect in late 2026.