- Stablecoins are increasingly integrated by fintechs and neobanks to improve access, cross-border remittances, and financial stability.
- Using stablecoins offers critical benefits to the unbanked and underbanked populations, especially in emerging markets facing currency volatility.
- The stablecoin market surpasses $265 billion, with providers enabling users to earn interest through DeFi platforms and tokenized money market funds.
- Stablecoins are transitioning from a speculative asset to a mainstream payment tool, with the rise of debit cards and merchant adoption.
- This evolution of stablecoins underpins a more inclusive and efficient global digital finance ecosystem.
Stablecoins enable broader financial access
As the cryptocurrency industry matures, stablecoins are emerging as a critical tool for expanding financial inclusion. Despite efforts to bring more people into the banking system, over a billion adults remain unbanked globally. Stablecoins, such as USDC and USDT, provide a straightforward on-ramp to the US dollar—especially vital for regions where traditional banking infrastructure is limited or unreliable.
In countries like Argentina, where inflation exceeds 100% annually, small businesses and freelancers increasingly turn to stablecoins to invoice clients, pay wages, and safeguard their earnings against currency devaluation. In Latin America, stablecoins facilitate nearly 30% of remittances in certain corridors, serving as a crucial means for cross-border financial flows. Countries like Turkey also leverage stablecoins like USDT to hedge economic risks.
Innovative fintech firms are stepping into the space to offer access to US dollar-denominated stablecoins and banking-like services to the underserved, bypassing the economic and operational barriers of traditional financial systems.
The ability to earn through stablecoins
The stablecoin market has grown beyond its initial use case, reaching a valuation of over $265 billion. Leading fintech platforms and neobanks now enable users not only to hold stablecoins but also to earn yields and rewards through integrated DeFi and tokenized money market products. Many exchanges offer lending and borrowing services directly within their platforms, providing users with the opportunity to generate passive income on their stable coin holdings.
In emerging markets, where access to traditional savings accounts remains limited—only about a quarter of adults use one—these innovative solutions allow users to preserve value and earn competitive yields via mobile devices. For example, Nigerian fintech Fonbank enables users to convert earnings into dollar-denominated stablecoins and access high-yield onchain savings products, bypassing local currency devaluation and banking restrictions.
Fairly seamless spending with stablecoins
The ultimate goal for stablecoins is to serve as a primary medium of exchange, enabling real-time spending without converting back into fiat currency. Payment cards backed by stablecoins are already facilitating instant, low-cost cross-border payments, especially in developing economies, thus overcoming remittance costs and banking limitations.
Some companies also incorporate crypto reward programs into transactions, driving further adoption and engagement. As stablecoins become more ingrained in daily financial activities, their potential to replace traditional cash and banking services continues to grow.
Building a more inclusive financial system
While discussions around stablecoin classification continue, their real-world utility is clear: a smarter, more inclusive financial infrastructure is taking shape. By storing, earning, and spending programmable money, fintechs and neobanks are demonstrating the transformative power of stablecoins — accelerating their integration into global digital finance networks.
Stablecoin transfer volume in 2024 has already surpassed that of traditional card networks like Visa and Mastercard, emphasizing their expanding role. Once viewed as speculative instruments, stablecoins are now establishing themselves as the backbone for responsible, scalable digital financial services worldwide.
