Key facts
- Stablecoin remittances cost 84% less than traditional transfers.
- Sending $200 via stablecoin costs 1% ($2), compared to 6.36% ($12.72) traditionally.
- Stablecoin business payments of $10,000 cost as little as $26, versus $135-$150 for traditional wires.
- Stablecoin payouts can settle in minutes, while SWIFT transfers take up to three business days.
- Mexico's SPEI network had a 98.6% payout completion rate, Brazil's PIX 97.8%.
Stablecoin-funded remittances continue to offer substantial cost savings over traditional money transfers, particularly in emerging markets. According to a third-quarter report from Borderless.xyz, sending a $200 remittance through stablecoin-funded payment rails costs a median of 1%, or $2, compared with 6.36%, or $12.72, for traditional remittances, based on World Bank data. This makes stablecoin-funded remittances roughly 84% cheaper. The savings are also substantial across emerging markets, with costs in Sub-Saharan Africa at 2.9% compared to 8.46% traditionally, and in Latin America at 1.25% versus 5.64%. Business payments made through stablecoins are also significantly cheaper, with a $10,000 transfer costing as little as $26 when routed through the lowest-cost provider, compared with $135 to $150 for traditional international bank wires. Beyond cost savings, stablecoin-funded payments can reach recipients’ local bank accounts in minutes, depending on the payment network used, such as Brazil's PIX or Mexico's SPEI, while traditional SWIFT transfers typically settle the next business day. However, payment completion rates varied, with Mexico's SPEI network at 98.6% and Colombia's PSE network at 79%.