Stablecoins Power $250B Shift, Cementing Crypto's Role in Everyday Commerce

Generated by AI AgentCoin WorldReviewed byAInvest News Editorial Team
Tuesday, Nov 18, 2025 3:17 am ET1min read
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- Binance Pay's merchant base surged 1,700x to 20M+ in 2025, driven by stablecoin-based B2C payments (98% USDT/USDC/FDUSD).

- Low fees, instant settlement, and cross-border accessibility fueled adoption in regions with weak banking infrastructure.

- Stablecoin volumes hit $10B/month by August 2025, with $250B+ total processed since 2021 launch.

- Partnerships with KFC SA, Bhutan tourism, and integrations with Brazil's Pix/Argentina's QR systems highlight mainstream adoption.

- SWIFT's blockchain ledger and traditional banks' resistance to refunds contrast with crypto's frictionless model.

Binance Pay, the crypto exchange's payment platform, has experienced explosive growth in 2025, expanding from 12,000 merchants at the start of the year to over 20 million globally

. This 1,700-fold increase underscores a broader shift toward stablecoin-based transactions, with processed in stablecoins like , , and FDUSD. The rapid adoption highlights crypto's evolving role from speculative asset to a practical tool for everyday commerce.

The platform's success stems from its low transaction fees, instant settlement speeds, and cross-border accessibility

. Merchants in regions with underdeveloped banking infrastructure-such as Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia-have particularly embraced Binance Pay, enabling faster cash flow and reduced reliance on traditional financial systems . Notably, integrations with national payment systems, including Brazil's Pix and Argentina's universal QR code framework, have further streamlined adoption .

Stablecoins have emerged as the backbone of this growth, offering the stability of fiat currencies without the delays and high costs associated with cross-border bank transfers

. Over $250 billion in transactions have been processed through Binance Pay since its 2021 launch, with to $10 billion monthly by August 2025. This trend aligns with broader industry developments, including in German robotics startup Neura and institutional products like the 15% stablecoin yield offering by Figment, OpenTrade, and Crypto.com .

The shift has not gone unnoticed by traditional financial institutions.

a blockchain-based ledger to compete with crypto's speed. Meanwhile, legacy banks like Australia's Commonwealth Bank face scrutiny for resisting refunds to low-income customers, contrasting with the frictionless model offered by crypto platforms.

Binance Pay's merchant network now spans sectors from e-commerce to travel, with partnerships including KFC South Africa and Bhutan's national tourism platform

. This mainstream integration signals a maturing ecosystem where crypto payments are no longer novelty features but expected conveniences. As stablecoins increasingly complement-or even surpass-traditional systems in efficiency, the financial landscape is reshaping toward a more borderless, digital-first paradigm .

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