Cross-border trade is undergoing a significant transformation, not only due to the geopolitical situation and the challenges it presents, but also because of the technological advances it is experiencing. In this context, it is paradoxical that this transformation is not permeating the area of payments, since although these transactions involve more than $290 trillion annually, most are still settled through bank transfers: a system that can take several days to process and whose real cost—between fees, exchange rates, and correspondent banks—typically ranges between 2% and 5% of the amount.
For an import-export company that operates on tight margins, these frictions are no small problem: they directly affect profitability, cash flow, and the ability to compete in international markets.
That's why stablecoins are beginning to establish themselves as a new infrastructure for international business-to-business payments. What was associated with the digital asset ecosystem just a few years ago is now starting to be used to solve a very specific problem in international trade: moving money between companies more quickly, predictably, and efficiently.
A system that continues to penalize international trade
Most international payments continue to be made through the SWIFT network, an infrastructure created to connect financial entities and which relies on a chain of correspondent banks to complete many transactions.
For import and export companies, this model involves payments that can be delayed by several days, costs that are difficult to predict, and processes subject to additional verifications beyond the control of the finance department. The difference between the issue date, the value date, and the actual availability of funds complicates cash flow planning, while the margins applied to currency exchange reduce the profitability of each transaction.
These limitations are especially relevant in trade corridors between Europe and markets such as Latin America, North Africa or Southeast Asia, where banking infrastructure often involves higher costs and settlement times.
Stablecoins are gaining ground in B2B payments
The growth of B2B payments with stablecoins reflects that this transformation is already underway. According to McKinsey & Artemis Analytics, in 2025 the volume of business payments using stablecoins reached $226.000 billion, a 733% increase over the previous year. By the beginning of 2026, 97,8% of the volume managed by specialized platforms already corresponded to business-to-business transactions.
The trend shows a shift in focus. Stablecoins are no longer perceived solely as a digital asset but are becoming a payment infrastructure used by companies with international operations.
In an international transaction of this type, a company converts euros into a regulated stablecoin, sends the amount to the provider via a blockchain network, and allows the provider to receive the funds within minutes to later convert them to their local currency.
By reducing bank intermediation, both settlement times and a significant portion of the associated costs are decreased. In corridors where a bank transfer can represent between 2% and 5% of the amount, payments via stablecoins can bring the total cost below 0,5%.
For companies that make recurring international payments, this means greater predictability regarding their financial costs, more efficient treasury management, and an improved relationship with suppliers who receive funds virtually in real time.
The benefit is especially noticeable on trade routes where international transfers remain slower and more expensive. For many Spanish companies that import components from Asia or export products to Mexico, Colombia, or Morocco, reducing several days of waiting time to just a few minutes can have a direct impact on daily operations.
Speed in settlement facilitates financial planning, reduces liquidity pressures and provides greater certainty for both buyers and suppliers, especially in recurring transactions.
MiCA provides the regulatory framework
The entry into force of the MiCA Regulation has marked a turning point for the adoption of stablecoins by businesses in Europe. The new framework establishes requirements regarding reserves, supervision, and user protection, offering greater legal certainty for companies considering incorporating these types of solutions into their payment processes.
This regulatory development is contributing to stablecoins being increasingly analyzed as a financial infrastructure for international payments and not just as an asset linked to the crypto ecosystem.
A question of competitiveness
The transformation of international payments doesn't necessarily mean replacing traditional banking. In practice, many import and export companies are adopting hybrid models, using stablecoins for transactions where they offer greater efficiency and maintaining conventional banking channels for the rest of their business.
In an environment where every day of waiting and every percentage point of cost impacts competitiveness, how to pay suppliers and collect payments from international clients is becoming a strategic decision. Market evolution, the growth of B2B payments, and the new European regulatory framework all point in the same direction: stablecoins are ceasing to be a technological innovation and are becoming a consolidated new infrastructure for international trade.
Vicente Romero, co-founder and COO of Cryptopocket
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