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The Wall Street Journal reports that two of the world’s biggest retail giants, Amazon and Walmart, are exploring plans to launch their own US dollar-backed stablecoins.
Both companies are considering brand-specific stablecoins in order to facilitate payments, reduce reliance on banks, and unlock billions in savings on transaction fees. So far, neither Amazon nor Walmart has officially confirmed these developments. However, sources familiar with the matter claim discussions are underway.
These potential launches follow the GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins), which passed a key vote in the U.S. Senate. The legislation aims to:
Implementing stablecoin by Amazon and Walmart could reshape how money flows through the global retail economy. This is a potential impact that could be expected:
One of the most immediate ripple effects of major retailers adopting stablecoins is the potential disruption of traditional payment processors. Giants like Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, and the banking institutions behind them currently generate billions in transaction and interchange fees. If stablecoin-based payment systems become mainstream, these fees could be drastically reduced or bypassed altogether.
By adopting stablecoin-based payment systems, merchants can bypass costly interchange and foreign exchange (FX) fees. This shift could translate into billions in savings across the retail sector. For consumers, this might mean lower prices at checkout, while merchants may enjoy healthier profit margins and increased pricing flexibility.
Also, traditional banks face certain pressure since more stablecoin payments happen without using regular bank systems. Since fewer payments go through bank accounts, banks could lose money from transaction fees and see fewer customer deposits. That is how banks might need to change how they work or start cooperating with fintech and blockchain companies to stay relevant.
Perhaps most significantly, stablecoins have the power to transform cross-border transactions. By enabling near-instant, low-cost global payments, stablecoins could make legacy systems like SWIFT obsolete for many use cases. This could impact how money is transferred across the borders, making the transactions faster, affordable, and facil.
When companies like Amazon or Walmart start implementing stablecoins, it broadens the horizons for crypto adoption for the masses. That is how this kind of backing from trusted brands would help more people get acquainted with crypto and feel more comfortable using stablecoins.
However, as more companies get involved, governments will have to lead in regulations as soon as possible. The main purpose of regulations is to improve the financial operation processes, making them more transparent and controlled.
The potential move by Amazon and Walmart to launch their own stablecoins highlights the urgent need for clear, comprehensive regulation to ensure stable growth, protect users, and maintain trust. As the lines between traditional finance and digital assets continue to blur, one thing is clear: the stablecoin era is no longer a question of if, but when.