EPISODE · Feb 18, 2026 · 57 MIN
Loyalty becomes lifestyle: Rain and Uptop on stablecoin rewards
from Layer One · host The Block
In Episode 7 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and Hypha founder Steven Gates were joined by Charles Yoo-Naut, co-founder of Rain, and John Gomez, co-founder and former CEO of Uptop.The group discussed the convergence of stablecoin payments and on-chain loyalty infrastructure, why rewards plus payments are becoming table stakes, and how sports and IP are driving real-world adoption.OUTLINE00:00 - Intro03:58 - What is Rain04:30 - Uptop + acquisition fit06:01 - Fundraise & M&A lessons12:43 - Why rewards matter16:29 - Stablecoin “aha” moment25:26 - Regulation, timing, builders33:53 - Lifestyle banking & IP41:59 - Marketplaces, on-ramps, costs47:35 - Why raise $250M50:11 - Stablecoins in 3 years51:56 - Proliferation of issuers53:59 - Closing remarksHost/Guest links:Charles Yoo-Naut - twitter.com/cnautRain - twitter.com/raincardsJohn Gomez - linkedin.com/in/john-timoney-gomez-a64b669b/Uptop - twitter.com/uptop_xyzSteven Gates - twitter.com/stvngtsKelvin Sparks - twitter.com/imyoungsparks ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉 https://www.theblock.co/newsletters--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 https://theblock.co/campus
What this episode covers
In Episode 7 of Layer One, The Block’s Kelvin Sparks and Hypha founder Steven Gates were joined by Charles Yoo-Naut, co-founder of Rain, and John Gomez, co-founder and former CEO of Uptop.The group discussed the convergence of stablecoin payments and on-chain loyalty infrastructure, why rewards plus payments are becoming table stakes, and how sports and IP are driving real-world adoption.OUTLINE00:00 - Intro03:58 - What is Rain04:30 - Uptop + acquisition fit06:01 - Fundraise & M&A lessons12:43 - Why rewards matter16:29 - Stablecoin “aha” moment25:26 - Regulation, timing, builders33:53 - Lifestyle banking & IP41:59 - Marketplaces, on-ramps, costs47:35 - Why raise $250M50:11 - Stablecoins in 3 years51:56 - Proliferation of issuers53:59 - Closing remarksHost/Guest links:Charles Yoo-Naut - twitter.com/cnautRain - twitter.com/raincardsJohn Gomez - linkedin.com/in/john-timoney-gomez-a64b669b/Uptop - twitter.com/uptop_xyzSteven Gates - twitter.com/stvngtsKelvin Sparks - twitter.com/imyoungsparks ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe to The Block's Newsletters!🚨 Breaking News👨🔬 Expert Analysis📈 Market InsightsSubscribe now 👉 https://www.theblock.co/newsletters--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hiring in crypto?🧠 Find top talent fast with Campus, powered by The Block!✅ Challenge candidates with our Crypto Assessment Test⚡ Hire faster, build stronger teamsStart your free trial today 👉 https://theblock.co/campus
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Loyalty becomes lifestyle: Rain and Uptop on stablecoin rewards
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