Amazon and Walmart are exploring the potential creation of stablecoins, which could significantly change the payments landscape in the U.S.
Motivation Behind Stablecoins
The primary motivation behind these initiatives is to minimize the billions of dollars lost annually to credit card transaction fees that currently benefit networks like Visa and Mastercard.
Impact on Payment Systems
By adopting stablecoin-based payments, Amazon and Walmart could offer customers faster and cheaper transactions, potentially settling payments instantly rather than waiting days for processing.
Dependence on Legislation
The timing of these plans is closely tied to ongoing legislative efforts in Washington, particularly with the recently advanced GENIUS Act, aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for private stablecoin issuance.
If regulatory clarity is achieved, the adoption of stablecoins by major retailers could fundamentally reshape how billions of dollars in consumer payments are processed in the United States.
