Stablecoin Craze: Uber, Amazon, And Others Bet Big On Digital Assets

According to a Fortune Magazine report, major tech firms worldwide like Uber and Amazon are reportedly exploring the implementation of crypto stablecoins as a solution for global financial transactions. 

Tech Giants Race To Integrate Stablecoins

Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, recently announced plans to investigate stablecoins for international money transfers, a concept that, just a year ago, would have seemed improbable for a leading tech executive. 

Today, however, companies such as Apple, Amazon, and various banks are racing to integrate these cryptocurrencies, which are pegged to stable assets like the US dollar.

This move comes amid renewed interest in these assets, as the US Senate recently approved the GENIUS Act — potentially the country’s first crypto bill — which could establish a new regulatory framework for stablecoins and integrate them into the broader financial ecosystem.

Nevertheless, analysts caution that widespread adoption of stablecoins by tech giants may still be a long way off due to the nascent nature of the technology and ongoing regulatory uncertainties, despite the enthusiasm from Silicon Valley.

For Amazon, the financial implications of adopting stablecoins are significant. The company’s international sales, which amounted to nearly $143 billion last year, are subject to foreign exchange risks. As sales are conducted in local currencies, fluctuations can result in substantial financial losses. 

Nick van Eck, CEO and co-founder of the stablecoin startup Agora, highlighted that stablecoins could enhance capital efficiency for multinational corporations like Amazon by enabling them to convert local currencies into stablecoins and repatriate them more easily to the US.

A Cost-Effective Alternative?  

Agora is among several startups capitalizing on this growing trend, having raised substantial venture capital in the past year. Notably, payments company Stripe made headlines with its $1.1 billion acquisition of the stablecoin startup Bridge, recognizing the technology’s potential for streamlining international transactions.

Colin Sebastian, a research analyst at Baird, noted that companies are continually seeking financial instruments that help manage costs and streamline operations. Traditional credit card transactions can be expensive, especially for cross-border payments, making US-dollar pegged cryptocurrencies an attractive alternative.

Yet, the challenge remains: convincing consumers to adopt these coins for everyday transactions. As Sebastian pointed out, credit and debit cards are deeply ingrained in consumer behavior, raising the question of what would motivate individuals to shift to stablecoins. 

Thomas Forte, an analyst at Maxim Group, echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Amazon’s most logical use of stablecoins might be to reduce transaction fees for customer payments. However, he questioned the consumer incentive for using stablecoins in the US.

Van Eck believes that the initial adoption of stablecoins could occur in countries with less stable currencies, where the need for a stable payment method is more pressing. He recounted his experiences with slow international wire transfers, highlighting a common pain point for businesses operating globally. 

In Argentina, where inflation has persisted for over 15 years, these cryptocurrencies represent nearly 62% of the country’s digital trading volume, compared to a global average of about 45%.

Despite the challenges, US tech companies are making strides in the stablecoin space. PayPal has launched its own token, while Robinhood and Mastercard have joined a consortium for minting the USDG cryptocurrency. Companies like Amazon, Apple, and Meta are also exploring these assets for potential payouts.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com