Cryptocurrencies are no longer just for trading. Stablecoins, which keep their value steady, are now accepted by 10 global companies, including Shopify, Overstock, Travala, Newegg, Bitrefill, and AT&T, for real-world products and services. These companies allow payments in coins like USDT, USDC, DAI, and BUSD, making them practical for everyday use.
Cryptocurrencies are evolving beyond speculative trading, with stablecoins emerging as a practical solution for everyday transactions. Ten global companies, including Shopify, Overstock, Travala, Newegg, Bitrefill, and AT&T, have begun accepting stablecoins such as USDT, USDC, DAI, and BUSD for real-world products and services. This shift is driven by the increasing demand for faster, cheaper, and more secure cross-border payments.
Stablecoins offer several advantages over traditional payment methods. They enable real-time settlements 24/7, reduce transaction costs, and enhance security. According to a report by McKinsey & Co., legacy global payment networks can take up to five business days to complete a transaction due to multiple intermediaries and different business time zones [1]. In contrast, stablecoins can facilitate instant cross-border payments, significantly reducing settlement times.
The appeal of stablecoins for cross-border transactions is evident in the growing adoption by financial institutions. For example, PayPal Holdings has started using its PYUSD stablecoin to settle Xoom cross-border payments, bypassing traditional banking hours [1]. Similarly, Finastra and Circle have integrated USDC stablecoin into the Global PAYplus (GPP) platform, enabling real-time cross-border payments with a 90% cost reduction and instant settlement [2].
Regulatory clarity is also boosting institutional adoption of stablecoins. The U.S. GENIUS Act and the EU’s MiCA framework provide federal clarity for stablecoins, enhancing institutional confidence in their use [2]. These regulatory developments align with broader trends, such as the growth of stablecoins in corporate payroll and remittance payments, particularly in emerging markets.
The global cross-border payments market, valued at $212.5 billion in 2025, is undergoing a seismic shift as stablecoins emerge as a scalable, cost-effective alternative to traditional correspondent banking networks [2]. The Finastra-Circle collaboration is projected to disrupt $320 billion of the cross-border payments market by 2030, driven by USDC’s ability to bypass correspondent banking networks and reduce pre-funding requirements [2].
In conclusion, stablecoins are redefining global money movement by combining the speed and cost-efficiency of blockchain with the trust of established banking systems. As institutional adoption accelerates and regulatory frameworks mature, stablecoins are poised to become a mainstream solution for cross-border payments.
References:
[1] https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/stablecoins-set-to-transform-cross-border-payments/758487/
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/stablecoins-backbone-cross-border-payments-institutional-adoption-scalability-finastra-circle-era-2508/
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