As digital finance continues to evolve, major American retailers and travel companies—including Amazon, Walmart, and Expedia—are exploring the launch of their own stablecoins. Their goal? To reduce the billions they collectively spend each year on credit card processing fees.
Credit card networks such as Visa and Mastercard typically charge merchants between 1% to 3% per transaction. For companies processing millions of transactions daily, these fees quickly add up. By using stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar—these businesses hope to sidestep intermediaries and lower payment costs significantly.
Stablecoins Could Revolutionize Business Payments
Stablecoins offer near-instant settlements, allowing businesses to receive funds within seconds instead of the standard two to three business days. This faster access to capital can greatly improve cash flow and streamline financial operations, especially for companies managing complex, international supply chains.
Retailers are considering two main paths: developing their own branded stablecoins or partnering with external providers, potentially through a consortium. Either route could empower them to make cross-border payments more efficient and bypass traditional banking rails.
US Banks and Regulators Enter the Conversation
Major US banks like JPMorgan and Wells Fargo are also entering the stablecoin race. They see this technology as a way to compete with emerging digital asset platforms and to modernize the way money moves through the financial system.
The future of these efforts depends heavily on the GENIUS Act, a proposed bill that would create a legal framework for stablecoin issuance and regulation in the United States. The final Senate vote on the bill is expected on June 17, and the outcome could shape how both corporations and banks proceed with their stablecoin plans.
If passed, the GENIUS Act could unlock a new era of digital payments—one where businesses save billions, payments settle instantly, and global commerce moves at internet speed.
