Blockchain in international payments: the future is here

Blockchain is transforming international payments, driving over $5 trillion in cross-border transactions in 2024 and delivering cost savings of up to 60%, according to Chainalysis. More than a technological promise, it has become a growing reality, offering solutions to long-standing challenges such as high costs, slow processes, and lack of transparency.

With its global impact already evident, 2025 is poised to be a landmark year for the widespread adoption of this technology. Companies and governments are heavily investing in blockchain to meet the increasing demands of a more interconnected and demanding financial market.

The essence and transformative power in payments

Unlike traditional systems, which rely on multiple intermediaries, blockchain operates in a decentralized manner. This structure eliminates barriers and makes transactions significantly faster and more secure. On a blockchain network, each transaction is recorded in an immutable ledger, ensuring complete transparency and traceability. This directly addresses critical issues such as fraud and operational inefficiencies.

Additionally, countries like Brazil, Singapore, China, the European Union, and India are actively advancing the implementation and use of digital currencies based on this technology, such as Drex and the digital yuan. These initiatives accelerate the integration of blockchain into traditional financial systems, showcasing a global commitment to solutions that make international trade more accessible and efficient for businesses of all sizes.

What are the benefits?

1. Cost reduction: Traditional systems can impose fees exceeding 20% of the transferred amount, while blockchain solutions typically keep costs below 2%, leading to substantial savings;
2. Speed: Some networks complete transfers in seconds, accelerating cash flows and supply chains;
3. Security and transparency: Every transaction on the blockchain is traceable and immutable, reducing fraud risks and simplifying audits. This is particularly critical for highly regulated sectors such as fintech and cross-border payments;
4. Access to digital currencies: Stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are redefining international transactions. By offering greater currency stability and liquidity, they eliminate concerns about volatility and improve financial predictability;

Strategic opportunities for businesses

In an increasingly connected world, embracing technology is essential to staying ahead in a highly competitive market. In this context, adopting blockchain provides clear strategic advantages for companies that position themselves effectively.

Expansion into emerging markets is one such example, as blockchain democratizes access to global trade. Small and medium-sized enterprises can overcome banking barriers and actively participate in global markets. Additionally, automation enabled by smart contracts eliminates manual processes and ensures automatic regulatory compliance, simplifying complex operations and reducing administrative costs.

Finally, partnerships with fintechs play a pivotal role in unlocking the potential of blockchain. Companies that integrate this technology with Artificial Intelligence and data analysis solutions can build more robust and innovative financial ecosystems. In this context, FacilitaPay acts as a strategic connector, supporting businesses that already use or plan to adopt this technology by managing cross-border payments efficiently and integrating these processes into Latin American markets.

Challenges along the way

Despite its potential, implementing blockchain comes with challenges and faces several barriers, including:

• Fragmented regulation: The lack of unified international standards complicates large-scale adoption, causing countries to progress unevenly and creating legal uncertainties for global businesses.
• Integration with legacy systems: Transitioning to blockchain-based solutions requires significant investments in infrastructure and training, which can be challenging for traditional financial institutions.
• Scalability: While current blockchain networks are efficient, they face limitations in the volume of transactions they can process, highlighting the need for scalability solutions to meet growing demand.

What to expect in 2025?

The coming years will solidify blockchain as the backbone of global financial systems. With the accelerated adoption of stablecoins and CBDCs, more countries and companies are expected to integrate this technology into their operations. Projections indicate that the stablecoin market will exceed $350 billion, driving significant cost reductions and improving accessibility in international payments.

Furthermore, major players like Visa and Mastercard are already exploring blockchain’s potential, developing solutions to integrate this technology into traditional financial systems. This convergence of innovation and tradition will be critical to shaping the future of cross-border payments.

Now is the time to prepare for the future and having a strategic partner like FacilitaPay, connected to the latest global trends, makes all the difference. Contact our experts today and take your international payment strategy to the next level!