In 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin white paper envisioned a “peer-to-peer electronic cash system” designed to enable trustless, decentralized payments. Bitcoin was crafted with retail transactions in mind. Today, the cryptocurrency landscape has evolved dramatically, with dozens of blockchains like Ethereum, Solana and Stellar powering diverse applications. However, this proliferation has led to a fragmented ecosystem. Many blockchain networks operate in silos, with limited communication or compatibility, hindering the seamless retail payment experience that is the standard for digital payments online and in physical stores. Today, with stablecoins poised for rapid growth as regulatory clarity emerges and financial institutions prepare new offerings, blockchain-based retail payments are closer than ever. However, for blockchain-based retail payments to rival the convenience of traditional systems, interoperability – both within blockchain ecosystems and with existing payment infrastructure – is essential.

For a while, big banks toyed with blockchain in glossy pilot projects. CEOs would name-drop “digital assets” on earnings calls, but little tangible change followed. Now, a transformation is underway: mainstream banks are integrating crypto into their core services in a way that would have seemed unlikely just a couple of years ago. From global banks settling trades on blockchain rails to regional players launching 24/7 digital dollar networks; the shift is unmistakable.

While stablecoin have dominated conversations among financial institutions, fintechs, and venture capitalists, the true opportunity lies not in the asset itself—but in its utility. A stablecoin, like any form of money, is inherently useless without a system to give it purpose. It functions as a medium of exchange, a store of value, and a unit of account, but its real power depends entirely on what it can access, represent, or move.

2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for digital finance. Amid shifting geopolitical tides, regulatory breakthroughs, and evolving consumer expectations, stablecoins are emerging as the quiet force behind a new wave of payment infrastructure, with major players already making moves. Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge — a stablecoin-focused payments startup — underscores how seriously incumbents are betting on this shift. It's a strong signal that stablecoins aren't just a fringe innovation, but a foundational layer for next-generation payment systems.

“Stablecoin Essentials 2025” distills what policymakers, investors, and innovators need to know about today’s most influential digital‑asset category. Drawing on market data and regulatory milestones, the article

For decades, international payments have been burdened by friction—slow processing times, high fees, and opaque transaction paths. Businesses and individuals alike continue to struggle with a system that is expensive, inefficient, and often unpredictable.

The GENIUS Act aligns closely with the Stablecoin Standard on collateralization and financial crime prevention. There are some differences in the approach for stress testing, governance reporting, third-party audits, and explicit legal separation of reserves. These differences should be addressed in implementing regulations.
Industry perspective is crucial in shaping the final legislation and implementing regulations.

By Stablecoin Standard & Chainlink Labs

By Candace Kelly, Marcelo Prates and Alex Wu, from the Policy Team at the Stellar Development Foundation, Published on 16 September 2024.

By Nejc Bizjak from Bitstamp published on 9 September 2024.

By Joe David from Myna published by Finance Today on 17 July 2024.

Matthew Niemerg - Aleph Zero & Christian Walker - Stablecoin Standard discuss how private stablecoins will be the bedrock of on-chain commerce.