For years, concerns about compliance and security kept financial institutions at a distance from digital assets. However, that reluctance is now being replaced by cautious optimism and active engagement in this market.

Expanding Use Cases

This shift is partly due to the GENIUS Act, which was passed in the U.S. It established clear guidelines for stablecoin issuers, leading companies like Circle, Ripple, and Paxos to receive conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish national trust banks.

These charters permit these firms to issue stablecoins, hold digital assets, and manage reserves—all under federal regulation. More recently, Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure provider acquired by Stripe two years ago, received this approval.

Revitalizing the Landscape

Many leading financial services firms have made significant investments in crypto ventures, with plans to expand into new areas. For instance, YouTube has added functionality that enables creators to receive payouts in PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin.

The most dynamic use cases for digital assets might arise in commercial payments. The traditional B2B cycle often involves extended settlement times, designed for paper checks, making treasury management overly complex and prone to manual errors and fraud.

Similarly, cross-border transactions rely on intermediary banks, causing delays, higher fees, and limited visibility into payment status. Stablecoins can address these issues by allowing near-instantaneous settlements and improved transparency. Organizations could also optimize their working capital by retaining cash longer and making payments only when necessary.

With more stablecoin companies operating under U.S. regulatory oversight, businesses may become more confident in integrating digital assets into their operations. This increased confidence could accelerate the growth of the already booming stablecoin market, now valued at over $310 billion.