APAC businesses shun stablecoins as adoption trails US

Only over a fifth would consider stablecoins if built into platforms they already use.

Asia-Pacific businesses are less open to adopting stablecoins compared with other regions, with only over a fifth stating they would only consider stablecoins if they were already integrated into platforms they already use.

This compares with 35% in Latin America, 45% in Europe and 72% in North America, according to the 2026 Commerce and Payment Trends report by Global Payments.

The report linked the stronger support in North America to the GENIUS Act, which was passed by the US Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2025.

The law requires stablecoin issuers to hold 100% reserve backing in liquid assets such as US dollars or short-term Treasury bonds. Issuers must also publish monthly disclosures on the composition of their reserves.

According to the report, the legislation is designed to reduce the risk of “de-pegging”, where a stablecoin loses its link to an underlying asset such as the US dollar or gold. 

The law also gives stablecoin holders priority over other creditors in the event of a failure, providing an added layer of consumer protection.

The report said European businesses were more cautious about stablecoins, reflecting concerns raised by the European Central Bank that US dollar-backed stablecoins could weaken the region’s control over monetary policy.

It noted that 99% of stablecoins are currently linked to the US dollar.

Global Payments said stablecoins could support businesses looking to integrate financial systems because of their programmable structure and use of blockchain technology. 

The report said blockchain-based transactions can be automated at scale, whilst transparent and immutable records may reduce fraud risks and simplify record keeping.

It added that on-chain escrow services and smart contracts could help automate business-to-business purchases. Stablecoins could also provide liquidity support for artificial intelligence (AI) systems handling purchases and sales without human involvement.

The report said one of the main risks in AI-driven commerce is the possibility of unauthorised or incorrect transactions. 

It said stablecoin transactions may be easier to track and reverse because they operate on blockchain networks.