Lower fees, faster settlement and 24/7 processing make stablecoin payments the smart choice for revenue-focused merchants
Stablecoins have shifted from crypto curiosity to a payments powerhouse. On-chain transfers reached $27.6 trillion in 2024, overtaking Visa and Mastercard’s combined volume by 7.7%. Active stablecoin wallets increased from 19.6 million in February 2024 to over 30 million in February 2025, representing a 53% year-over-year growth.
When you switch to direct stablecoin payments, you’ll typically see funds arrive within minutes
What Are Stablecoins?
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain steady value by pegging to stable assets, usually fiat currencies like the US dollar. Unlike Bitcoin which has wild price swings, stablecoins offer blockchain benefits without volatility.
Stablecoins run on blockchains, decentralised digital ledgers recording all transactions across a computer network. This technology makes transactions transparent, secure and permanent without intermediaries like banks.
Popular stablecoins like USDC and USDT are moving into the mainstream through partnerships with established financial institutions.
For example, in April 2025, Mastercard unveiled comprehensive capabilities to power stablecoin transactions from wallets to checkouts, creating a complete ecosystem where consumers can spend stablecoins while merchants can receive them.
Regional Trends in Stablecoin Adoption by Merchants
Stablecoin adoption is growing differently across regions, each driven by unique factors and regulations:
- Latin America: Currency instability and limited banking access drive stablecoin use, especially in eCommerce. Merchants report faster payment processing and access to previously unreachable markets.
- Southeast Asia: Freelancers and small businesses use stablecoins like USDC to avoid high remittance fees and delays from traditional platforms, accelerating cash flow and growth.
- North America and Europe: Regulatory clarity shapes adoption. The US has advanced bills like the STABLE and GENIUS Acts while the EU has moved forward with the MiCA framework. Institutional support, such as Mastercard’s stablecoin initiatives, facilitates mainstream acceptance.
- Africa: With many underbanked people, stablecoins offer financial inclusion through accessible digital payments, requiring only a smartphone and internet connection.
The Key Drivers of Stablecoin Adoption by Merchants
Stablecoin adoption by merchants is increasing as they turn to these digital assets to solve persistent problems with traditional payment methods. Here’s why:
Faster Settlement
Traditional cross-border payments often take 2 to 5 business days, delaying cash flow. Stablecoin transactions settle nearly instantly, 24/7, regardless of banking hours or holidays. This speed improves working capital management and provides immediate confirmation to merchants and customers.
Better Security and Fraud Resistance
Blockchain’s immutable ledger eliminates chargeback risk, a major issue with credit cards. Combined with cryptographic security and payment tokenisation, stablecoins offer strong protection against fraud.
Simplified Cross-Border Payments
Stablecoins bypass correspondent banking, reducing currency conversion fees and delays. However, converting between fiat and stablecoins still requires on/off ramps which can add costs and processing time.
Despite this, stablecoins simplify global transactions and help merchants enter new markets with fewer barriers.
Improved Accessibility and Financial Inclusion
Accessible via smartphone and internet, stablecoins reach underbanked populations worldwide. This broader accessibility lets merchants tap into markets previously out of reach, supporting greater financial inclusion.
Common Merchants’ Challenges to Stablecoin Adoption
Regulatory Clarity
The regulatory landscape for stablecoins has gained significant clarity since the passing of two major bills in 2025 with bipartisan support:
- The STABLE Act (Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Better Ledger Economy Act of 2025)
- The GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025)
- The Hong Kong Stablecoins Ordinance took effect on August 1, 2025, establishing a comprehensive licensing regime for fiat-referenced stablecoin (FRS) issuers administered by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).
- The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation became fully applicable on December 30, 2024, after entering into force in June 2023. MiCA regulates stablecoins as Asset-Referenced Tokens (ARTs) and E-Money Tokens (EMTs), requiring 1:1 reserve backing with liquid assets
These bills established a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, including requirements for issuers to maintain 1:1 reserves. While this provides merchants with more confidence, they must still maintain compliance with KYC in payments as part of the regulatory framework.
Integration Complexity
Connecting existing payment systems with blockchain infrastructure presents technical challenges:
- Setting up digital wallets to receive and hold stablecoins
- Implementing security protocols and key management systems
- Integrating blockchain transactions with existing accounting systems
Customer Education and Trust
Many consumers don’t understand stablecoins or associate them with volatile cryptocurrencies. Merchants need to educate customers about:
- How stablecoins maintain consistent value
- Blockchain security features
- The practical benefits of using stablecoins for payments
Volatility Concerns
While stablecoins aim to maintain consistent value, stability concerns persist, especially after past incidents with certain stablecoin projects. Merchants should select reputable, fully-backed stablecoins by:
- Researching stablecoin issuers and their reserve practices
- Monitoring regulatory compliance
- Creating processes to quickly convert stablecoin payments to fiat if needed
How Rapyd Accelerates Stablecoin Adoption for Merchants
Rapyd brings stablecoin acceptance, payouts and settlement together on one platform. From a single dashboard, you can take stablecoin payments, pay suppliers in stablecoin or fiat currency, and settle in the currency of your choice.
Digital currencies open a new payment channel but cards and local wallets still drive most sales. Rapyd’s direct acquiring in over 190 countries lets you keep these familiar options while adding crypto payments through the same integration.
With support for 900+ local payment methods, your shoppers see options that match their preferences.