Western Union Bets on Stablecoins for Inflation-Hit Economies
Western Union is pivoting toward stablecoins to streamline cross-border remittances, targeting hyperinflationary markets like Argentina. CFO Matthew Cagwin revealed plans for a 'stable card'—a prepaid instrument pegged to digital assets—at the UBS Global Technology and AI conference. The move aims to reduce liquidity buffers by leveraging instant crypto settlements.
The financial giant sees stablecoins as a tool to unlock trapped capital in traditional systems. By avoiding fiat volatility in distressed economies, Western Union could reshape how migrant workers send money home. No specific stablecoins were named, but the strategy implies partnerships with existing dollar-pegged tokens.