Western Union Eyes Stablecoins as Remittance Giants Face Outward Pressure

Key Points

1. The U.S. GENIUS Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump, establishes a formal framework for issuing and trading stablecoins, expected to accelerate adoption by banks and retailers.

2. Stablecoins offer faster, cheaper, and more flexible transactions compared to traditional banking systems, with costs well below the UN's 3% target for remittance fees.

3. Industry leaders, such as OwlTing Group's CEO Darren Wang, predict major players will complete exploration or pilots by late 2025, with widespread adoption in 2026 as compliance frameworks and tech integrations mature.

4. Despite the momentum, skepticism remains, with figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren warning of risks such as market manipulation and the potential for bailouts if the system fails.

5. Chinese companies like JD.com and Alipay are also exploring stablecoins, indicating global interest and potential uptake among SMEs and migrant workers.