90% of institutions ‘taking action’ on stablecoins: Fireblocks survey

Fireblocks’ recent report reveals that 90% of institutional investors are actively using or exploring stablecoins. This finding comes from a survey of 295 executives across various financial sectors, including traditional banks, financial institutions, fintech companies, and payment gateways. The research highlights a significant shift in institutional attitudes towards stablecoins, moving beyond simple cost-saving measures to strategic growth initiatives.

Nearly half (49%) of respondents already utilize stablecoins for payments, while a further 23% are piloting their use and 18% are in the planning stages. Only 10% remain undecided. This widespread adoption underscores the growing importance of stablecoins within the institutional landscape.

For traditional banks, cross-border payments represent the primary driver for stablecoin adoption. The report indicates that 58% of these banks employ stablecoins for this purpose, highlighting the inefficiencies of existing cross-border systems. Other uses include accepting payments (28%), liquidity optimization (12%), merchant settlements (9%), and B2B invoicing (9%). Banks view stablecoins as a modernization tool, facilitating integration with existing treasury workflows and reclaiming market share from fintech competitors.

Faster settlement times, cited by 48% of respondents, is the most significant benefit of stablecoin utilization. Other advantages include improved transparency, enhanced liquidity management, streamlined payment flows, increased security, and reduced transaction costs.

Ran Goldi, senior vice president of payments and network at Fireblocks, emphasizes that stablecoin adoption is no longer solely about cost reduction; it’s now a strategic growth driver. He points to the key motivators as expansion into new markets, meeting direct customer demand, and unlocking new revenue streams. Goldi concludes that stablecoins have evolved into an enabler of business innovation, rather than simply an efficiency tool. The accelerating adoption rates and diverse use cases firmly establish stablecoins as a pivotal component of the evolving financial landscape.