Stablecoins expand in cross‑border payments market

Stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat assets such as the US dollar or euro—are gaining traction as a faster, cheaper alternative for international payments. The market has grown from about US$ 50 billion to US$ 300 billion in the past five years, according to the World Economic Forum.

Pedro Souza, founder of the cross‑border payments provider Glin, says the programmable nature of stablecoins enables real‑time, 24/7 transfers without the multiple intermediaries, limited settlement windows and high fees that characterize the traditional SWIFT‑based system. When both parties hold compatible digital wallets on the same blockchain, value can move almost instantly, and the on‑ramp/off‑ramp model can reduce the need for additional conversion steps.

Glin’s analysis shows that fintechs, e‑commerce platforms, marketplaces, importers, exporters and other B2B firms with recurring international transactions are leading the adoption of stablecoin‑based payments. Regulators worldwide are extending existing anti‑money‑laundering and sanctions rules to digital‑asset services, and the United States announced specific legislation for stablecoins in July.