It’s time to look beyond bitcoin and ethereum. Around the world, forward-thinking corporations are integrating a different kind of cryptocurrency: stablecoins. They are embracing stablecoins in their financial operations to streamline payments, reduce settlement times and gain better control over their cash flow. This shift is not only redefining how businesses interact across borders but also presenting an unprecedented opportunity for African businesses to leapfrog legacy financial systems.
Unlike unpredictable cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are pegged to stable assets like the US dollar or commodities, giving them predictable value. For businesses, this predictability is a game-changer. It allows companies to pay suppliers instantly, and even protect against the swings of local currencies. From small informal retailers to larger enterprises, the benefits are tangible.
Take cross-border payments, for example. Traditional financial systems can be slow and costly, especially for companies trading with international partners. With stablecoins, these same transactions settle in minutes at a fraction of the cost. Freelancers in Ghana can receive payment from clients overseas, bypassing long delays and hefty fees. Retailers in Kenya can restock inventory from international suppliers without worrying about currency fluctuations. Even manufacturers are streamlining supply chains, reducing friction and increasing predictability.
A practical South African example: consider a Johannesburg café owner importing specialty coffee beans from Europe. Traditionally, payments could take days and incur high fees. By using USDT via Binance Pay, the owner can pay suppliers instantly, avoid currency fluctuations and focus on running the business rather than worrying about delayed transactions. Stablecoins make these scenarios not only possible but increasingly practical.
But, the operational advantages don’t stop there. Stablecoins also provide access to innovative financial services, such as lending and automated payments, which were once available only to large institutions. African businesses can now optimise working capital, diversify funding sources, and participate in global financial ecosystems that were previously out of reach.
The numbers show this isn’t just theoretical. Between July 2023 and June 2024, Sub-Saharan Africa processed more than $54bn in stablecoin transactions, accounting for 43% of all crypto activity in the region. Globally, the stablecoin market has surpassed $300bn, with Tether (USDT) leading at over $174bn. In South Africa alone, platforms like Binance Pay have enabled more than 650,000 merchants to accept digital payments, demonstrating real-world adoption. Africa’s unique economic landscape makes stablecoins particularly valuable. Many countries experience high inflation, currency volatility and fragmented banking systems. By providing a stable, fast and transparent way to transact, stablecoins are helping businesses and individuals protect value and gain financial access. This is especially important for smaller enterprises, gig workers, and freelancers who may otherwise be excluded from traditional banking services.
Accelerating adoption
Integrating corporate stablecoins effectively requires thoughtful planning. Businesses should partner with regulated platforms, educate finance teams on digital wallets and smart contracts, and start with pilot programmes for payroll, supplier payments or cross-border trade. Collaboration with regulators is also essential to ensure frameworks that protect users while enabling innovation.
Regulatory clarity is emerging globally. The US Genius Act, which confirmed that fully backed stablecoins are not securities, has removed uncertainty and could accelerate adoption worldwide. For African regulators, this is an opportunity to design proportionate, forward-looking policies that encourage innovation while protecting consumers and businesses alike.
Corporate stablecoins aren’t just about efficiency, they’re about opportunity. By reducing friction, increasing transparency and opening access to global markets, they provide African businesses with a competitive edge. Small and medium-sized enterprises can scale faster, freelancers get paid instantly and larger firms can streamline operations across borders.
Stablecoins are no longer a niche concept, they’re actively reshaping African commerce. The question isn’t whether companies will adopt them, but how quickly they will leverage these tools to improve efficiency, cut costs and unlock new economic opportunities. With mobile-first infrastructure, entrepreneurial energy and a culture of innovation, Africa is ready to lead and the world is watching.
Larry Cooke, who joined Binance in August 2023, guides the firm through Africa’s regulatory landscape.
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About Binance:
Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 280 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com.
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