Stablecoin Payments Drive Real-Time Financial Transformation

Streaming money is no longer a concept of the future — it is a present-day reality reshaping financial infrastructure. The term “streaming,” once associated exclusively with media, is now being applied to finance, describing a system where value moves continuously, instantly, and transparently via blockchain and stablecoins. These digital tokens, typically pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, are enabling a new era of real-time payments, redefining how money flows across global markets [1].

In traditional financial systems, payments are often delayed or costly. ACH transfers in the U.S., for instance, take one to three business days to clear, and wire transfers are expensive and time-consuming. Even modern fintech apps like Venmo and Zelle rely on outdated infrastructure, essentially “downloading” money rather than streaming it. This inefficiency stands in stark contrast to the seamless, on-demand experiences consumers now expect in other areas of digital life [1].

Stablecoins are addressing this gap by enabling fast, borderless, and final settlements. According to CoinMetrics, stablecoin volume across public blockchains reached nearly $11 trillion in 2024 [1]. These tokens allow for programmable money, capable of executing transactions with customizable rules and reducing the need for intermediaries. As AI and automation continue to evolve, stablecoins are positioned to play a pivotal role in automating back-office financial operations.

One of the most transformative applications of stablecoins is in payroll. In the U.S., workers are typically paid biweekly, effectively extending interest-free loans to their employers. While some companies offer earned-wage access programs to bridge this gap, these often come with fees that disproportionately affect low-income employees. With blockchain-based stablecoins, real-time payroll is not just a possibility — it is already in practice. Remote-first startups and decentralized autonomous organizations are leveraging this technology to streamline global, cross-border payments [1].

The broader financial system is also seeing a shift. Legacy payment systems such as FedNow and The Clearing House’s Real-Time Payments network are important developments, but they remain U.S.-centric, permissioned, and reliant on traditional banking infrastructure. Stablecoins, by contrast, are open and accessible to anyone with an internet connection, enabling developers to build on them without institutional gatekeeping. Their efficiency, cost structure, and finality of settlement are making them a compelling alternative [1].

As the financial world transitions from batch processing to real-time settlement, stablecoins are emerging as a foundational component of this new economy. From remittances to e-commerce to capital markets, they are powering a wide array of financial products. Their role is not merely supplementary — it is increasingly central. With USD Coin (USDC), Tether (USDT), and other native-chain stablecoins in use across the globe, the era of streaming money is well underway [1].

Megan Knab, CEO and founder of Franklin, has been at the forefront of integrating stablecoins into business financial operations. With over eight years of experience bridging crypto and traditional finance, she has positioned Franklin as a platform that supports real-time payroll and cross-chain financial management. Her work underscores the growing relevance of stablecoins in shaping the next generation of financial infrastructure [1].

Streaming money is no longer a theoretical concept — it is a tangible shift in how value moves. Just as streaming changed media, it is now transforming finance, and stablecoins are the rails making it all possible [1].

Source: [1] Streaming money: Stablecoins are redefining real-time payments | Opinion (https://coinmarketcap.com/community/articles/68aadf0bf6f9732ed734b7a3/)