The global financial landscape is undergoing a quiet revolution. For over six decades, international payments have relied on aging infrastructure—slow, fragmented, and costly. Now, stablecoins are emerging as a transformative force, redefining how money moves across borders and industries. No longer confined to experimental pilots, stablecoins are entering the financial core, with real-world adoption accelerating at scale.
Backed by enterprise-grade infrastructure and clearer regulations, payment providers, banks, and fintechs are integrating stablecoins into treasury operations, cross-border flows, and customer-facing services. The shift isn’t speculative—it’s strategic. In 2024 alone, stablecoins accounted for nearly half of all transaction volume on the Fireblocks platform, a testament to their growing centrality in modern finance.
With over 300 financial institutions and payments providers leveraging its network, Fireblocks processes 15% of global stablecoin volume—handling more than 35 million transactions monthly. This momentum reflects a broader industry transformation: from hesitation to execution.
Why Stablecoins Are Reshaping Global Payments
Speed Over Savings: Performance Is the Priority
While cost reduction often dominates discussions around digital finance, the data reveals a different priority. 48% of firms cite faster settlement as the top benefit of stablecoins—far surpassing cost savings, which rank last at 30%.
This shift underscores a new reality: organizations aren’t adopting stablecoins just to cut expenses—they’re using them to gain control, improve liquidity (33%), and integrate seamless payment flows (33%). For businesses operating in fast-moving markets, speed is competitive advantage.
“Boards at major payments enterprises recognize that adopting stablecoins is a strategic necessity. They look to retain competitiveness against new crypto-savvy entrants and tap into new client bases and markets that are increasingly aligned with digital asset ecosystems.”
— Vasant Prabhu, Former CFO & Vice Chairman of Visa, Member of Fireblocks’ Advisory Board
👉 Discover how high-performance infrastructure enables real-time global payments
Revenue Growth Drives Adoption
The primary motivator behind stablecoin adoption? Revenue opportunity. Three of the top four drivers are directly tied to growth—market expansion, customer acquisition, and new product development.
Fintechs use stablecoins to capture underserved markets, while traditional banks leverage them to reclaim cross-border transaction volume eroded by agile competitors. Whether offensive or defensive, the strategy is clear: adopt now or risk obsolescence.
Infrastructure Readiness: The Era of Execution Has Begun
86% Report Stablecoin-Ready Systems
A pivotal shift has occurred: the conversation is no longer about if but how fast. 86% of firms report their infrastructure is ready for stablecoin integration—marking a dramatic drop in technical and compliance barriers.
Just two years ago, 80% of institutions cited regulation as a major hurdle. Today, fewer than 1 in 5 do. This confidence stems from maturing tools—regtech solutions, chain analytics, automated compliance—and stronger partnerships that bridge traditional finance with blockchain innovation.
“Our priority has been to integrate innovation at the right moment, when it delivers real value at scale. That moment is now. With strong merchant demand, solid infrastructure, and clearer regulation, stablecoins are now a natural fit for our global payment network.”
— Liam Bath, Senior Vice President & Head of APAC, dLocal
From Crypto-Remote to Deep Integration
Early adopters once kept digital assets at arm’s length—outsourcing custody and limiting exposure. Now, leading firms are embedding stablecoins directly into ERP systems, automating liquidity management, and building end-to-end compliant workflows.
This evolution reflects growing trust—and a recognition that infrastructure determines success. Firms investing in secure, scalable platforms today will lead tomorrow’s digital finance ecosystem.
Regional Momentum: Four Paths to Global Adoption
Latin America: Leading in Real-World Use
Latin America leads the world in stablecoin implementation. 71% of regional players use stablecoins for cross-border payments—with 100% either live, piloting, or planning deployments. Technology readiness is equally high: 92% report their API and wallet infrastructure is production-ready.
“By combining stablecoins with local payment rails, we’re unlocking a powerful cross-border experience—something traditional banking infrastructure simply can’t deliver.”
— Nano Rodriguez, Head of Strategic Alliances, Bitso
For import/export businesses across Latin America and Africa, stablecoins offer instant settlement and transparent pricing—critical advantages in volatile economies.
Asia: Expansion Through Trade and Ecommerce
In Asia, 49% of firms identify market expansion as the top driver for stablecoin adoption. With 53% adoption and 87% technology readiness, the region leverages stablecoins to power cross-border ecommerce, gig economy payouts, and B2B trade.
Traditional industries—not just tech startups—are driving demand. Steel traders, shipping brokers, and telecom providers now settle billions daily using stablecoins.
“Global trade corridors move billions daily—and now they’re doing it faster with stablecoins. The infrastructure is in place, and the value is clear.”
— Triple-A
👉 See how businesses scale globally with fast, programmable payments
North America: Regulatory Clarity Fuels Growth
Despite past uncertainty, North America is turning a corner. 88% of firms now view upcoming stablecoin regulations as a green light, not a barrier. Adoption sits at 50%, with mature infrastructure enabling integration beyond cross-border use—into payroll, invoicing, and internal treasury operations.
ALT 5 Sigma, a Nasdaq-listed B2B payments processor, exemplifies this shift. From $39M in transaction volume in 2020 to over **$2B in 2024**, their growth was powered by secure infrastructure that supports high throughput and rapid merchant onboarding.
Europe: Security as Competitive Strategy
Europe’s path is deliberate—but driven by competition. With MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) providing a clear regulatory framework, only 18% see regulation as a barrier. 58% are already using or planning to use stablecoin payments.
What sets Europe apart? Security. 42% cite legacy risks in traditional systems, while 37% demand safer payment rails. For European institutions, stablecoins aren’t just faster—they’re more resilient.
“With EURI, we’re not just launching one of the first MiCA-compliant stablecoins; we’re setting a new standard for the region… bringing utility such as faster cross-border payments and smart escrow solutions.”
— Banking Circle
The Winning Formula: Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure
Non-Negotiables: Speed, Compliance, Security
As stablecoins enter mission-critical systems, expectations rise. 41% of firms say speed is non-negotiable; 34% demand built-in compliance. These aren’t optional features—they’re baseline requirements.
Zeebu, a blockchain-based telecom payments platform, processed **$5.7B in transactions** and settled **99,000 B2B invoices** across **139 carriers** using Fireblocks’ infrastructure. Their goal wasn’t cost-cutting—it was unlocking growth in a $120B market.
Security Enables Scale
36% of firms say better protection would unlock further adoption. As attack surfaces expand with 24/7 global flows, static security models fail. The future belongs to adaptive systems that evolve with emerging threats.
Enterprises no longer ask if a provider is secure—but how their security evolves over time.
👉 Explore how secure infrastructure powers enterprise-scale stablecoin adoption
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are stablecoins replacing traditional banking systems?
A: Not replacing—but enhancing. Stablecoins integrate with existing systems to improve speed, transparency, and efficiency, especially in cross-border transactions.
Q: How do regulations like MiCA impact stablecoin adoption?
A: MiCA provides legal clarity and operational certainty in Europe, reducing risk for institutions and accelerating mainstream adoption of compliant digital assets.
Q: What makes stablecoins more secure than traditional payment rails?
A: While both have risks, blockchain-based stablecoin systems offer immutability, real-time monitoring, and programmable compliance—features that enhance auditability and reduce fraud.
Q: Can small businesses benefit from stablecoin payments?
A: Absolutely. Stablecoins reduce settlement times from days to seconds and lower intermediary fees—making them ideal for SMEs engaged in international trade.
Q: Is infrastructure really the deciding factor in adoption?
A: Yes. Technical readiness was once the main barrier; now it's about choosing platforms that offer scalability, security automation, and regulatory alignment.
Final Outlook: From Concept to Priority
Stablecoins have moved beyond proof-of-concept. They are now a strategic imperative for financial institutions aiming to stay competitive in a digital-first world.
The evidence is clear:
- 90% of firms are taking action.
- 86% have ready infrastructure.
- 9 in 10 cite regulation and standards as catalysts.
The race isn’t about who innovates first—it’s about who scales best. And the winners will be those who invest in robust, secure, and compliant infrastructure today.
For banks, fintechs, and payment providers alike, the message is unmistakable: stablecoin adoption is no longer optional. It’s the foundation of the next era of finance.
Survey based on responses from 295 executives across banks, fintechs, and payment providers worldwide, conducted March 2025.