Open Standard Named New CEO for OUSD Stablecoin Launch
The firm appointed former Stripe leader Zach Abrams to scale its zero-fee stablecoin model for enterprise partners.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Financial Services
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Open Standard has appointed interim leader Zach Abrams as its full-time CEO to oversee the upcoming release of the OUSD stablecoin. The initiative, which has gained traction among over 140 companies, intends to bypass traditional issuer economics.
Why it matters
The venture aims to remove fee and volume constraints for businesses handling stablecoins, addressing what the company identified as adoption barriers created by existing issuer models. Its launch shifts the competitive landscape for firms currently reliant on conventional payment infrastructure.
The initiative has secured support from more than 140 companies, with founding partners expected to provide over $1 billion in launch liquidity. This follows a high-stakes period in the sector highlighted by Stripe's $1.1 billion acquisition of Bridge in 2025.
The players
Zach Abrams
The new CEO of Open Standard who previously served as an interim leader and recently departed Stripe.
Stripe
A global financial technology company providing payments infrastructure that acquired Bridge for $1.1 billion in 2025.
Open Standard
A financial technology entity launching the OUSD stablecoin with the support of over 140 industry partners.
The details
The platform operates by allowing businesses to mint and redeem OUSD without fees or volume limits. Participating companies receive a portion of the revenue generated by the OUSD reserves after fees are accounted for. The model is designed to lower barriers to entry for firms seeking stablecoin adoption by mitigating the cost structures imposed by existing market issuers.
Timeline
2025: Stripe acquired Bridge.
June 2026: Open Standard launched the Open USD initiative.
September 25, 2026: Zach Abrams announced his departure from Stripe.
Later this year: The OUSD stablecoin is expected to launch.
Market Landscape
The move signals a broadening effort to institutionalize stablecoin utility through direct partner participation. This project follows the pattern of consolidation and infrastructure development established by Stripe's 2025 acquisition of Bridge.
Operators should monitor whether the zero-fee structure for minting OUSD influences their current payment processing costs or treasury management strategies. If the initiative achieves scale, it may necessitate a review of existing stablecoin vendor agreements to compare liquidity and cost benefits.
The takeaway
The project attempts to lower the friction of stablecoin adoption by sharing reserve-generated revenue with founding partners. Owners should track the OUSD launch timeline and assess if the fee-free model aligns with their payment processing requirements for the upcoming fiscal cycle.
Further reading
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