SKN | Stablecoin Remittances Cost 84% Less Than Traditional Transfers, Report Finds

Key Points

• Stablecoin-funded remittances cost a median of 1% to send $200, compared with 6.36% for traditional transfers, representing an approximately 84% reduction in costs, according to Borderless.xyz.
• Stablecoin business payments can also be significantly cheaper and faster than international bank wires, with a $10,000 transfer to the eurozone costing as little as $26 through the lowest-cost provider.
• Settlement times in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia averaged two to three minutes, although payout completion rates varied significantly across local payment networks.

Stablecoins are strengthening their position as an alternative to traditional cross-border payment systems, with lower transfer costs and faster settlement times offering potential advantages for individuals and businesses moving money internationally. New third-quarter data from stablecoin payments network Borderless.xyz highlights the savings available through stablecoin-funded payment rails, particularly in emerging markets where conventional remittance fees can be comparatively high.

According to the report, sending a $200 remittance through stablecoin-funded payment infrastructure costs a median of 1%, equivalent to $2. Traditional remittances cost 6.36%, or $12.72, based on World Bank data. The comparison indicates that stablecoin-funded transfers are approximately 84% cheaper.

The figures use Borderless.xyz pricing from the third quarter of 2026 and World Bank remittance data from the same period in 2025. Although the data comes from different years, the comparison illustrates the potential cost advantage of stablecoin-based transfers.

Stablecoins Reduce Remittance Costs in Emerging Markets

The savings are particularly pronounced in regions where international money transfers remain expensive.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, stablecoin-funded remittances cost an average of 2.9%, compared with 8.46% for traditional transfers. In Latin America, the corresponding costs were 1.25% and 5.64%.

Lower fees can make a meaningful difference for individuals sending money to family members across borders, particularly when transfers represent a substantial share of household income. Reducing the portion lost to transaction charges allows recipients to retain more of the money being sent.

Stablecoins, which are digital assets designed to maintain a relatively stable value against a reference asset such as the US dollar, can facilitate transfers between payment systems without relying entirely on conventional international banking infrastructure. However, the final cost to users can still depend on the provider, currency conversion, local payout arrangements and other fees.

The Borderless.xyz findings suggest that stablecoin payment infrastructure can offer a lower-cost alternative, although actual savings will vary by corridor and service provider.

Business Transfers Also Offer Significant Savings

The report also identifies substantial cost advantages for businesses making international payments.

A $10,000 stablecoin-funded transfer to the eurozone can cost as little as $26 when routed through the lowest-cost provider. Across all corridors, the median provider’s cost is approximately $52.

Traditional international bank wires are considerably more expensive under the report’s assumptions, costing between $135 and $150 for the same $10,000 transfer. That estimate includes transfer fees and an assumed 1% foreign-exchange margin.

The difference could be relevant for companies that regularly pay overseas suppliers, contractors and business partners. For organizations handling frequent cross-border transactions, even modest savings on individual payments can accumulate into meaningful reductions in operating expenses.

Stablecoin-based payments may also help businesses move funds without waiting for the settlement schedules associated with conventional international banking. Nevertheless, the total cost and practicality of adopting these systems depend on available providers, local banking access, compliance requirements and the currencies involved.

Local Payment Networks Enable Settlement in Minutes

Cost is only one factor influencing the appeal of stablecoin-funded transfers. Borderless.xyz also found that payments can reach recipients’ local bank accounts within minutes when connected to supported domestic payment networks.

In Brazil, payouts through PIX recorded a median settlement time of two minutes during the third quarter. Mexico’s SPEI network recorded a median of three minutes, while Colombia’s PSE network also averaged two minutes.

Traditional SWIFT transfers typically settled by the next business day, according to the report. The slowest 10% of those transfers took three business days.

The comparison highlights how combining stablecoin infrastructure with local payment networks can shorten the time between initiating an international transfer and delivering funds to a recipient’s bank account.

However, speed alone does not guarantee a successful payment. The report found substantial differences in payout completion rates across markets.

Mexico’s SPEI network recorded a 98.6% completion rate, followed by Brazil’s PIX at 97.8%. Colombia’s PSE network completed 79% of payouts, while Costa Rica’s SINPE recorded a completion rate of 73%.

These differences indicate that local payment infrastructure and execution reliability remain important considerations alongside transaction costs and settlement speeds.

Stablecoin Activity Grows Beyond Remittances

The findings arrive as stablecoin transaction activity continues to expand, reinforcing the role of dollar-linked digital assets in payments and financial infrastructure.

Standard Chartered has also highlighted rising stablecoin transaction volumes despite relatively flat growth in overall stablecoin market capitalization during 2026. The bank expects the stablecoin market to reach $2 trillion by 2030, revising its previous forecast horizon by two years.

Growing payment activity does not necessarily translate directly into an equivalent increase in market capitalization. Stablecoins can circulate repeatedly to facilitate transfers, trading and settlement, allowing transaction volumes to rise without a proportional expansion in the total supply of tokens.

For payment providers, this creates an opportunity to develop services around transferring, converting and distributing digital dollars rather than relying solely on growth in the value of stablecoins outstanding.

Outlook

Stablecoin-funded payments are demonstrating potential advantages in cross-border remittances and business transfers, with Borderless.xyz reporting lower costs and settlement times measured in minutes across several emerging markets. However, varying payout completion rates show that local infrastructure and reliability remain critical to the user experience. As stablecoin transaction activity expands, the extent to which these systems can deliver consistent savings, dependable settlement and broad access will help determine their role in the global payments industry.