How stablecoins and local payment rails are redefining cross-border payments
For decades, cross-border payments have been plagued by inefficiencies - high fees, slow transaction times, and layers of intermediaries.?
The traditional infrastructure is heavily reliant on systems like SWIFT. And this is simply not built for the fast-paced, globalised economy of today.?
But change is afoot. Increasingly, stablecoins and local payment rails are transforming the landscape of international finance, making it faster, cheaper, and more transparent.?
Moreover, in 2023, $3.7 trillion worth of value was settled using stablecoins according to new research from Visa, Brevan Howard and Castle Island Ventures. The same report also predicts a huge leap in stablecoin use in 2024, with data suggesting that in the first half of this year, around $2.62 trillion was settled using stablecoins, putting the sector at an annualised pace of $5.28 trillion.?
Merge’s API-first platform has been built with the shift towards stablecoin in mind.?
But how and why has this crypto asset gone mainstream so fast??
The pain points in traditional cross-border trade
Cross-border transactions typically require coordination among multiple parties, including local and foreign banks, often mediated by networks like SWIFT.?
But the current model has serious drawbacks.?
Settlement times range from two to five days depending on the region, fees are high - averaging between 2-5% for regions like Southeast Asia and Africa - and currency volatility adds another layer of complexity.?
For example, a transfer from North America to Southeast Asia can take up to 4 days to clear, while transfers to Africa may take even longer.
The World Bank reports that the global average cost of sending remittances is a staggering 6.30%, a burden that disproportionately affects those in developing economies. High FX fees and slow settlement times are the norm, not the exception, limiting trade and creating friction in global commerce.
Meanwhile, currency volatility compounds the issue.?
Emerging market currencies, subject to wild swings, make it challenging for businesses to plan and operate efficiently. An analysis by CEBr across 17 countries revealed that currency volatility caused $1.2 trillion in GDP losses from 1992 to 2022. Brazil and Indonesia were among the hardest hit, with losses amounting to $172 billion and $184 billion respectively. For companies in these regions, conducting business internationally becomes a precarious endeavour.
Enter stablecoins: a new paradigm for global finance
Stablecoins - cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like the U.S. dollar - offer a compelling alternative to traditional financial systems, addressing many of the pain points outlined above.?
What the data shows is that transactions with stablecoins can settle in less than an hour - significantly faster than SWIFT transfers.?
More importantly, stablecoins drastically reduce the cost of sending money across borders, cutting fees to near zero in many cases. This is a game changer for businesses that depend on frequent international payments.
Moreover, stablecoins provide a hedge against currency volatility, particularly in regions where the local currency is prone to devaluation. For businesses in emerging markets, holding USD-backed stablecoins offers protection from currency risk while ensuring that they remain connected to the global financial system. This shift is especially critical as more than 1.7 billion people globally remain unbanked, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).?
By simply having internet access and a local crypto exchange, even unbanked businesses can now participate in global trade using stablecoins.
Local payment rails: the unsung heroes of financial inclusion
While stablecoins represent a revolutionary leap, their real potential is unlocked when paired with robust local payment systems.?
Consider India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) or Brazil’s PIX - these are real-time payment infrastructures that have rapidly grown in popularity due to their low cost and ease of use.?
When stablecoins are integrated with such local payment rails, they enable a seamless, low-cost ecosystem for cross-border payments, particularly in B2B transactions.
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Bypassing traditional banking channels, businesses can now transfer stablecoins over local payment rails, converting them into local currency on arrival. For example, a business in Brazil can receive a payment in USD-backed stablecoins, convert it through PIX, and immediately settle in Brazilian Reais - all within minutes and with negligible fees. This eliminates the need for multiple intermediaries, making cross-border trade more accessible and less expensive.
Stablecoin adoption data illustrates this trend. According to a Chainalysis report, emerging markets like Turkey, Thailand, and Brazil are leading in stablecoin purchases relative to their GDP. In these regions, local populations increasingly use stablecoins as a way to safeguard their savings from the effects of currency depreciation. This highlights the growing role of stablecoins in promoting financial inclusion, especially for the unbanked and underbanked.
Real-world use cases: from B2B settlements to remittances
At Merge, we see stablecoins as the future - borderless, secure, and efficient. As adoption grows, stablecoins will shape the next era of digital payments - which is also why our API-first solution is ready for this shift.?
But what are the real-use cases?
One of the most compelling use cases for stablecoins is in payment service provider (PSP) settlements.?
Here, multiple payments companies settle their obligations using stablecoins, while the sender (e.g., a corporation) and the receiver (e.g., a consumer) deal only in fiat. The PSPs benefit from the efficiency and cost savings, while end-users enjoy a frictionless experience. This model not only enhances transaction speed but also provides a competitive advantage to PSPs by passing cost savings to their clients.
Similarly - we can look at the gig economy where freelancers and contractors often face delays and high fees when receiving payments from overseas clients via traditional wire transfers. Stablecoins like USDC or USDT offer a faster and more cost-effective alternative. Companies can pay their workers in stablecoins, ensuring that funds are delivered quickly and securely, without the complications of FX rates or international banking fees.
And remittances - which we’ve already highlighted as an area where the costs can be exorbitantly high despite being? a lifeline for many families in developing countries - are another area ripe for disruption. Stablecoins offer a way to send money instantly and at minimal cost. Moreover, senders can ensure that the value of their remittance is protected from currency depreciation, providing a more reliable financial solution for recipients.
The road ahead: challenges and opportunities
While stablecoins offer tremendous potential, challenges remain, particularly around regulatory clarity.?
Governments and financial regulators are still grappling with how to classify and control these assets. The rapid rise of stablecoins has caught many regulators off guard, and in some regions, the lack of a clear framework may hamper adoption.
That said, the momentum is undeniable.?
As businesses and consumers alike increasingly turn to stablecoins for international transactions, the global financial infrastructure is undergoing a tectonic shift. By combining the transparency and speed of stablecoins with the accessibility of local payment rails, a new financial system is emerging - one that is faster, cheaper, and more inclusive.
In this new era, stablecoins are not just a tool for crypto enthusiasts or early adopters - they are becoming the backbone of a modern, global financial network.?
They have the potential to enable smoother, more reliable cross-border transactions for everyone.
At Merge, we know that the future of global payments is being written now. By empowering businesses to build borderless, scalable financial applications, we’re part of a small number of payments challengers spearheading a new wave of innovation in cross-border trade.?
Because the question is no longer if stablecoins and local payment rails will redefine cross-border payments. It is: how quickly businesses and financial systems can adapt.?
Those who move swiftly and strategically will shape the financial landscape of tomorrow. And it is crucial to not get left behind. The future of cross-border payments has already begun.
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