Stablecoins: From Crypto Buzz to Corporate Game Changer?
The narrative for stablecoins has shifted from the domain of crypto enthusiasts to the boardroom. Over the past year, these digital assets have started making serious waves in trade and treasury, unlocking a new chapter of value transfer for global corporates.
By Liza Tan, T3i Partner Network
2025 was a big year for stablecoins. From Washington’s GENIUS act to clearer regulatory frameworks across major jurisdictions, alongside growing institutional interest, momentum has accelerated. Stablecoins are moving past their crypto-native origins, with payment providers already using them for instant rebalancing and liquidity management.
In a recent episode of the Trade and Treasury Now podcast, experts from the T3i Partner Network – Dani Cotti, Sarah Green and Arnoud Star Busmann – discussed this shift. Host Joost Bergen started by highlighting the core disruption: “The ability to move value 24/7 without waiting for bank opening hours, is a game-changer for global supply chains.”
For trade and treasury teams, this accessibility is transformational. Star Busmann, who is also CEO of Quantoz Payments – a pioneering issuer of European regulated stablecoins – explained: “I see euro stablecoin demand rising once corporates start using on-chain yields and FX solutions in their treasuries. If your treasury is euro-denominated, switching into dollars just introduces extra FX risk, and that’s a problem corporates want to avoid.”
Solving the Swift Problem
One of the most significant pain points stablecoins address is reliance on the Swift network. In many trade corridors, payments still move through a complex web of correspondent banks, leading to delays of one to five days and costs of $25 to $35 per transaction.
“Stablecoins eliminate the need for interbank reconciliation because the messaging and the settlement happen simultaneously on the blockchain. By bypassing multiple intermediaries, costs drop significantly, and funds become instantly usable,” said Cotti, a founding partner of T3i.
The Regulatory Race
For stablecoins to scale meaningfully, a solid regulatory foundation is necessary. Sarah Green, Professor in Law at the University of Bristol Law School, highlighted how different major jurisdictions are tackling stablecoin regulation, noting a clear shift from initial scepticism to proactive engagement.
Europe (MiCA): The EU was a trailblazer with its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. MiCA categorizes stablecoins, ensuring issuers are regulated and assets are insolvency-proof. This provides a crucial layer of trust and security.
United States (GENIUS Act): The U.S. has been moving "very, very fast," with the GENIUS Act. This framework mandates 100% backing by liquid reserves (like the US dollar or short-term Treasury securities) and prohibits misleading marketing claims. It's a clear move to protect consumers and prevent destabilizing runs on stablecoins.
United Kingdom (FCA/Bank of England consultation papers): Initially cautious, the UK is now taking a more pragmatic, risk-based approach. It’s focusing on the function and risk profile of the digital asset rather than the form, which is a huge positive for innovation.
Where the “Real Magic” Happens
The real breakthrough, according to Cotti, happens when stablecoins are paired with other tokenized assets.
“When you pair stablecoins with tokenized invoices, promissory notes or trade receivables, you effectively turn it into a standardized, tradable digital asset. This is where the potential is,” explained Cotti, who is also CEO of the Lombard Electronic Market Infrastructure or LEMI.
The stablecoin then acts as the “cash leg” for these tokenized invoices, opening the door for automated invoice payments, dynamic discounting and efficient receivable portfolios.
Five Years into the Future
Looking ahead, there is optimism about the future of stablecoins.
Cotti envisions a future where "all your life and business” is on an interoperable digital ecosystem where you seamlessly access digital assets, stablecoins, and fiat currencies. The key, he notes, is resolving current hurdles around KYC, AML, and the quality of on/off-ramps.
Green predicts an "exponential legal change." Having witnessed a dramatic shift in regulatory attitudes over the last five years, she believes the next five will see an even faster acceleration. This maturing regulatory framework will, in turn, lead to the creation of even more robust and compliant stablecoin models.
Star Busmann delivered the boldest prediction: "Swift as a settlement layer in its current form will be obsolete." He believes the superior settlement technology of public blockchains will eventually bypass the traditional correspondent banking system entirely.
In five years, he argues, we won't even be talking about "stablecoins" specifically; they'll simply be an invisible, embedded piece of infrastructure, much like the internet protocols we use today. The conversation will shift from the technology to the incredible use cases it enables.
The shift from fiat to digital value is no longer a question of "if," but "when." Don’t let your treasury be sidelined by legacy infrastructure. Reach out to the T3i Partner Network to find out more.
