Start your stablecoin journey
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Executive summary
This guide helps you bridge the gap between stablecoin ambition and implementation with:
- Use case selection: Stablecoin implementation models with personalized API and UX demos, fund flows and case studies.
- Business case support: Market data and metrics to build your internal business case.
- Risk mitigation: Regulatory overviews and compliance approaches compared.
- Pricing intelligence: Provider fees and cost levers cost demystified.
- Integration roadmap: From portal to API to embedded, deployment options explained.
The stablecoin payment market is projected to grow from 3% to 20% of global cross-border payments by 2030. This guide helps you start your journey to capturing your share of this opportunity.
Choose your use case
Explore what market leaders have built and test drive solutions with our personalized API and UX demos.
Payouts
1. Pay businesses
In a nutshell:
Settle invoices and make payments to business partners, suppliers or merchants around the world with stablecoins.
Most used by:
Payment Service Providers, CFD and Forex, Gaming, Marketplaces.
Adoption drivers:
- Settlement delays using traditional correspondent banking system
- Problems getting local banking access
- Unpredictable or high FX fees via traditional correspondent banking system
Why are businesses integrating stablecoin payouts?
How it works
- Store funds in USD, EUR or GBP in named accounts on the BVNK platform.
- Request stablecoin payout via API or the BVNK portal
- BVNK converts to stablecoins on your behalf on payout (no need to hold crypto).
The flow of funds for a stablecoin payout to a business
Rapyd meets customer demand for stablecoin payouts
Challenge:
In 2024, Rapyd started receiving increasing requests from merchants for stablecoin payouts: firstly to receive settlements themselves in stablecoins, and secondly to be able to make stablecoin payouts to their own users.
Solution:
Partnering with BVNK, Rapyd now funds their BVNK account in USD and initiates payouts through our portal. BVNK handles the conversion to stablecoins and executes merchant payments. Soon payout capabilities will be embedded in their platform for their own customers to access.
Result:
- $50 million in near-instant stablecoin payouts to merchants across South Africa, Poland, Israel, and beyond
- Reduced settlement time from 3-5 days to under 30 minutes
- Eliminated need for specialized crypto licensing and compliance infrastructure
- Enhanced merchant offering with stablecoin settlement option, now expanding to more markets
2. Pay individuals
In a nutshell:
Make payroll payments to freelancers or employees, or pay out earnings to users, sellers, creators or hosts.
Most used by:
iGaming, CFD and Forex, Payment Service Providers, Employer of Record, Payroll, Marketplaces, Social platforms
Adoption drivers:
- Demand from individuals to receive payment in stablecoins
- Settlement delays using traditional correspondent banking system
- Unpredictable or high FX fees via traditional correspondent banking system
How it works:
Example 1: Your customer withdraws in stablecoins (eg from their balance on your platform)
- Store funds in USD, EUR or GBP on the BVNK platform.
- Add stablecoin/crypto withdrawal option in your platform, which sends API request to BVNK
- Your user specifies the amount they want to withdraw and adds their wallet address. They’re shown the payment details including exchange rate and any fees.
- BVNK automatically converts on payout (no need to hold crypto).
Example 2: You trigger the payout (eg to a seller when a product is sold, or to a host when a guest’s stay is over).
- Store funds in USD, EUR or GBP on the BVNK platform.
- Add stablecoins/crypto as a payout option on your platform. Your user adds their wallet address.
- Set payout conditions via API and trigger the payout.
- BVNK automatically converts on payout (no need to hold crypto).
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The flow of funds for a stablecoin payout to an individual
Create your own payouts experience
Create an instant personalized API & UX demo, to see how stablecoin payouts could work in your platform.
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Deel teams pioneers instant payments for workers worldwide
Challenge:
One of the biggest global payroll providers, Deel, was on the lookout for a new stablecoin payouts provider to pay their contractors in markets like Latin America and South East Asia, where bank payments can take up to a week and cost 2-5% in FX fees.
Solution:
BVNK enabled Deel to pay global contractors in stablecoins, reducing costs for both Deel and the recipient, ensuring speedy payment, and offering more payment flexibility.
Result:
- Settlement time reduced from 5+ days to under 30 minutes
- Strong adoption from contractors in Latin America and markets with local currency fluctuations, with over $150m in payouts processed
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Pay ins
1. Accept stablecoins from customers
In a nutshell:
Add stablecoin as a customer payment option on your checkout or deposit page.
Most used by:
Luxury ecommerce, Travel, Marketplaces, iGaming, FX/CFD, Payment Service Providers
Adoption drivers:
- Demand from customers to pay in stablecoins
- Customer problems with traditional payment options in emerging markets (eg cards not valid for international transactions or transactions blocked by card providers)
How it works:
- Integrate BVNK’s pre-built payment pages or build your own custom front end using our API
- Your customer selects to pay by/deposit cryptocurrency and connects their wallet. Option to give dedicated crypto addresses to VIP users for anytime payments.
- BVNK auto-converts to your preferred fiat currency and holds in a safeguarded account on the BVNK platform.
- Withdraw to your own bank account or use to fund payouts with BVNK.
The flow of funds for a stablecoin pay in
Trade Nation unlocks new business and increases deposits by 260%
Challenge:
Trade Nation's customers in Asia struggled to top up trading wallets using traditional payment methods. In some countries, cards weren't valid for international transactions or were blocked by card providers. Bank payments required manual processing, hindering time-sensitive trading.
Solution:
Trade Nation integrated BVNK's hosted payments page to enable customer deposits and withdrawals in 15 digital currencies.
Result:
- 260% increase in deposit volume after implementation
- 56% of deposit volumes in new markets now paid in cryptocurrencies
- Unlocked previously inaccessible customer segments in key Asian markets
- Reduced operational overhead by eliminating manual payment processing
2. Receive settlements from partners
In a nutshell:
Receive settlements from affiliates, business partners or local payment partners in other countries.
Most used by:
PSPs, CFD and FX
Adoption drivers:
- Demand from partners to use stablecoins
- Cross-border settlement delays using traditional correspondent banking system
How it works:
- Use BVNK payment links to generate invoices and request payments via email, SMS, WhatsApp, or other platforms.
- Use channels to give partners the ability to make regular deposits to a dedicated address by currency.
- Your partner pays in their preferred stablecoin/cryptocurrency.
- BVNK auto-converts to your preferred fiat currency and holds in a safeguarded account on the BVNK platform.
- Or funds can be settled direct to a stablecoin wallet.
- Withdraw to your own bank account or use to fund payouts with BVNK.
The flow of funds for receiving a stablecoin settlement from a business
Create your own pay-in experience
Create an instant personalized API & UX demo, to see how stablecoin pay-ins could work in your platform.
Embedded wallets
In a nutshell:
Embed multicurrency wallets in your platform so your customers can spend, store and receive stablecoins, USD, EUR and GBP.
Most used by:
PSPs, Fintechs, Payroll, Employer of Record
Adoption drivers:
- Customer demand for stablecoin payments
- Competitive pressure to innovate/differentiate product
How it works
- Integrate: with BVNK’s API so your customers can manage payments in fiat and stablecoins without leaving your ecosystem.
- Create an account: New customers signing up to your platform will need to create an account, submitting their KYC/B information and accepting BVNK’s terms. Existing customers just need to accept terms: you pass BVNK customer KYB/C data via API in the background. BVNK initiates the verification process automatically.
- Create a wallet: Once verified, your customer can create their first wallet in your platform – for example a USD wallet – to store funds, make payments and get paid.
- Make a deposit: Fund the wallet with an external transfer. If it’s a USD wallet for example, your customer can deposit via ACH or Swift. If it’s a stablecoin wallet, they would make a blockchain transfer via their wallet provider.
- Make a payment: Once their wallet is set up, your customer can start using it to make payments. Eg they can pay out USDC from their USD wallet, or USD from their USDC wallet. BVNK auto-converts in the background and executes the payment.
Example 1: Your customer wants to pay their suppliers in stablecoins.
- Your or your customer fund a named virtual account in USD/GBP/EUR on BVNK
- Your customer executes a stablecoin payout from your platform.
- BVNK auto-converts USD/EUR/GBP to stablecoin to enable payout.
- Payout made to a stablecoin wallet.
Example 2: Your customer wants to access USD deposits to on- and off-ramp into your platform.
- Your customer pays into your platform from their bank account.
- Funds are auto-converted to stablecoin by BVNK and received in the customer’s BVNK stablecoin wallet, viewed in your platform.
- When ready, your customer executes a USD withdrawal. Funds are taken from the customer’s stablecoin wallet in your platform. BVNK auto-converts to USD before paying out.
The flow of funds for a customer payout using a BVNK embedded wallet
Create your own wallets experience
Create an instant personalized API & UX demo, to see how stablecoin wallets could work in your platform.
Worldpay enables stablecoin payouts for global businesses in collaboration with BVNK
Challenge:
Worldpay, one of the world's largest payment processors, faced growing demand from global business customers for instant stablecoin payouts.
Solution:
This collaboration will enable Worldpay’s clients to pay out to customers, contractors, creators, sellers, and other 3rd party beneficiaries in stablecoins across 180+ markets nearly instantly, without having to hold or handle stablecoins themselves. Worldpay clients will be able to access this new stablecoin payout service through their existing integration with Worldpay’s payouts platform. Stablecoins will be the first type of digital asset enabled as a payout option on Worldpay’s payout platform, complementing the existing 135 fiat currencies currently available.
Result:
- Expanded payment capabilities across Worldpay's $2.3+ trillion commerce network
- Competitive differentiation in a crowded payment processing market
- Reduced payment friction for global merchants with cross-border needs
Freemarket adds stablecoin wallets to their multi-curency payments platform
Challenge:
Freemarket's business customers wanted to accept stablecoins and convert to fiat on demand. They also wanted to buy stablecoins via the Freemarket platform and pay out in stablecoins when required.
Solution:
Freemarket embedded BVNK’s stablecoin wallets in their platform, allowing them to meet customer demand and add stablecoin capability to their multicurrency payments platform.
Result:
- Accelerated time-to-market by 6+ months compared to building in-house
- Expanded service offering without additional compliance overhead
- Increased transaction volume from existing customers
Cross-border payments orchestration
In a nutshell:
Combining both fiat and stablecoin rails in order to achieve faster, cheaper, more efficient cross-border transactions (sometimes called the’ stablecoin sandwich’).
Most used by:
Remittance companies, CBFX companies, fintechs, PSPs
Most used for:
- Treasury / liquidity management: repatriating funds from emerging markets or sending money between global entities.
- B2B payments: Settling partners and suppliers globally.
- P2P remittances: facilitating cross-border remittance payments.
Adoption drivers:
- Reducing settlement delays vs using only fiat payment rails (eg for emerging market routes)
- Facilitating repatriation of local currencies (eg where there is insufficient liquidity and/or high conversion fees to convert from an EM currency to USD, EUR)
- Reducing FX feel: finding cheapest and most efficient payment path across blockchains and banking rails.
- Avoiding the costly prefunding of accounts around the world (required to enable ’instant’ payments in the absence of instant cross-border settlement)
How it works:
- Tech orchestrator model: Layer1 (BVNK’s infrastructure-only product) provides the tech and smart routing. Our customer manages the relationships with on-ramp, off-ramp and fiat payout providers.
- Full service model: BVNK aggregates all relevant local payment providers directly. Our customers sign a contract with BVNK and do not need to have a direct relationship with any other provider.
Example:
- You/your customer pay in USD to an account on the BVNK platform
- You/your customer sends payout instruction to BVNK
- BVNK onramps to stablecoins, sends to local liquidity partner
- Local liquidity off ramps to Mexican pesos and makes last mile pay out via local banking rails
Flow of funds for a cross-border payment using stablecoins to speed up the middle leg of the transaction
Make your business case
Here we share key datapoints to help you build a business case for stablecoin payments, including global adoption data, settlement information and cost comparisons.
Crypto ownership
Crypto adoption by country
Source: Chainalysis Geography of Crypto Report 2024 [NB the updated annual report comes out every September].
Why this matters:
Countries with challenging banking infrastructure or currency volatility typically show higher stablecoin adoption. These markets often represent the first wave of stablecoin payment adoption. Prioritize stablecoin implementations in markets with high adoption rates to achieve faster market penetration and higher user engagement.
Stablecoin active wallet addresses
Monthly active unique stablecoin addresses peaked at their highest ever in May 2025, at 416.21 million, a 40% YoY increase.
For the latest active stablecoin wallet data, please see: Addresses | Visa Onchain Analytics Dashboard
Stablecoin transaction volumes
Note: it’s important to distinguish between transactions that facilitate crypto trading – and those estimated to be for payments use cases.
Source: Visa Onchain Analytics 2025. For up to date stablecoin transaction volume, please see: Transactions | Visa Onchain Analytics Dashboard
Growth in stablecoin activity by region
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Source: A primer on stablecoins, Social Capital & Chainalysis 2025
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Source: A primer on stablecoins, Social Capital & Chainalysis 2025
Settlement times
Blockchain settlement speed
How long it takes to settle a blockchain transaction depends on the blockchain, the cryptocurrency and network congestion. For example, some cryptocurrencies like Cardano or Solana can have almost immediate transaction confirmations, while Bitcoin can take around 40 minutes. The norm with most cryptocurrencies is to require a few confirmations (additional blocks in the blockchain) for transactions to be deemed validated and irreversible.
Below, you can find the average times on BVNK to settle stablecoin transactions, compared to traditional correspondent banking (Swift) alternatives.
On and offramp time
Converting into and back from fiat currencies adds settlement time. Note that the speed of on and off ramp to fiat will differ based on provider, local market rails and available liquidity.
For example:
- If the destination market has RTP rails available, settlement will usually be in minutes (eg MXN, BRL)
- If the destination market does not have RTP rails or the payout partner does not have access to these rails, it might be same day settlement or T+1 (eg COP, ZAR)
Transaction fees
Below is an indicative example showing where significant savings can be made using stablecoins for cross-border payments. Please note that fees can vary significantly according to provider, currency, liquidity and volume. See: ‘Get smart on pricing’ later in this guide to understand typical fees and factors affecting pricing.
Payment capabilities comparison
*Note: won’t apply to on and offramp. Operating hours of stablecoin payment providers may differ
Note: stablecoin payment providers like BVNK allow you to configure custom limits for payments as needed.
Understand licensing and compliance
Get up to speed on general crypto regulatory developments by region and compare KYC/B compliance models.
Licensing and regulation overview
Introduction
A number of comprehensive regulatory regimes have emerged for crypto over the last few years. While they differ in specifics, they all focus on a set of core principles: customer protection, market stability and market integrity. Regulators look to achieve these outcomes in different ways:
- licensing and/or registration to ensure crypto service providers are subject to AML obligations and beyond
- rules on how businesses can promote crypto to consumers
- AML compliance rules to make sure that providers are carrying out customer due diligence, transaction monitoring and reporting.
Below we cover crypto regulatory developments in the EU, UK, USA, Singapore, Hong Kong, Middle East and Latin America, as of June 2025.
EU
Crypto status:
Regulated
Key changes 2024-2025:
- EU's new regime, the Markets in Crypto Assets framework, is now fully in force
- Travel Rule for Crypto is also now live in the EU
What you need to know:
The Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework provides a ground for having regulated services in digital assets in Europe and formally recognizes regulated stablecoins based on a single fiat currency (like USDC). The regime affords additional protections to customers, bringing assurance that stablecoin reserves are fully audited, that funds in custody are kept safe, and that service providers are overseen by an EU supervisor. It also enables banks and regulated financial Institutions in the EU to provide regulated crypto services.
MiCA introduces a new, standardized licensing regime for crypto services, which ensures crypto payment providers are held to similar standards as Europe's Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) and other regulated financial institutions. For providers who already provide crypto asset services in the EU, like BVNK, there is a transitional period under MiCA which extends into 2025/2026.
Action point:
If you're adding crypto payments through a partner based in the EU, verify they are licensed as a provider under MiCA (or are in process of acquiring it, with a valid VASP registration) and they are compliant with the Travel Rule.
USA
Crypto status:
Partially regulated. Rules vary by state. New federal regulation expected in 2025.
Key changes 2024-2025:
- In January 2025, the Trump administration signaled strong support for crypto with an executive order and promised regulatory guidance for the benefit of the industry within 180 days.
- New bipartisan proposals for stablecoins landed in February 2025: Chairman Scott and Senators Hagerty, Lummis and Gillibrand introduced the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act legislation to establish a clear regulatory framework for payment stablecoins.
- As of June, the bill has been passed by the U.S. Senate, and the next steps will involve sending it to the House for consideration.
What you need to know:
A change of guard at the White House in 2025 has brought crypto regulation to the forefront, and pro-crypto federal regulation looks likely in 2025. The administration has also pledged "fair and open access to banking services", suggesting an end to widespread debanking of the US crypto industry.
Still, businesses looking to integrate crypto today must navigate a variety of state level differences. Whether or not you need a license for crypto payments can depend on exactly the type of payment you're doing, and where the sender, recipient and payment processor are located.
Action point:
Find a partner with the right national and state licensing, who can help you navigate this fragmented picture. You'll also need to make sure they're compliant with the Travel Rule for crypto which has been in force in the US since 2019.
UK
Crypto status:
The UK is partially regulated. Regulation is in place in the UK for AML/CTF and Financial Promotions, with comprehensive regulation being implemented in 2025-2026.
Key changes 2024-2025:
- Financial Promotions rules for crypto in force since October 2023
- HM Treasury published draft crypto legislation (April 29, 2025) bringing exchanges, dealers, stablecoin issuers and custodians under FCA regulation
- UK-US collaboration announced on supporting responsible digital asset growth
What you need to know:
The UK is introducing a phased regulatory framework that will:
- Regulate cryptoasset trading platforms serving UK retail customers
- Establish regulations and standards for crypto custody services
- Create specific regulations for stablecoin issuers
- Implement market abuse controls and disclosure requirements
Action point:
Ensure crypto partners are FCA-registered for AML or non-UK registered VASPs that are compliant with Financial Promotions rules and the Travel Rule. Discuss with your provider the implications and their plans based on the FCA’s new draft licensing regime.
Singapore
Crypto status:
Regulated
Key changes 2024-2025:
- The Payment Services Act (PSA) has been enhanced to provide a more robust framework for Digital Payment Token (DPT) services
- MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) introduced stricter guidelines for retail crypto trading in 2023
- Travel Rule for crypto is fully implemented and enforced
What you need to know:
Singapore has established one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for crypto assets under the Payment Services Act. Digital Payment Token (DPT) service providers, including those offering stablecoin services, must obtain licenses from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Singapore's regulatory approach emphasizes strong consumer protection, while maintaining its position as a fintech hub.
MAS has proposed a regulatory framework that will apply to single-currency stablecoins (SCS) which are pegged to the Singapore Dollar or any G10 currency and that are issued in Singapore. The SCS framework imposes stricter reserve requirements and disclosure obligations for non-bank SCS issuers with more than SGD 5 million of total SCS in circulation.
Action point:
If you're working with a Singapore-based crypto payments provider, they must be licensed under the PSA and compliant with all AML/CFT requirements, including the Travel Rule.
Hong Kong
Crypto status:
Regulated
Key changes 2024-2025:
- Hong Kong implemented a comprehensive licensing regime for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in June 2023
- New stablecoins bill was unveiled in December 2024
- Travel Rule for crypto in force since 2023
What you need to know:
Hong Kong has positioned itself as a regulated hub for crypto activities in Asia, introducing a mandatory licensing regime for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (AMLO). The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) oversees this regime, which became effective in June 2023.
For stablecoins, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has proposed a regulatory framework that focuses on governance, redemption mechanisms, and reserve management. The framework categorizes stablecoins based on their structure, with fiat-backed stablecoins facing stricter reserve requirements. The finalization of these stablecoin-specific regulations is expected in 2025-2026.
Action point:
Businesses integrating crypto payments must ensure their Hong Kong-based partners are properly licensed by the SFC and compliant with all AML/CFT requirements, including the Travel Rule.
The Middle East
Crypto status:
Varies by country, with UAE and Bahrain leading in comprehensive regulation
Key changes 2024-2025:
- UAE's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) established full regulatory framework for Dubai
- Saudi Arabia developing national regulatory framework expected in 2024-2025
- Travel Rule implementation varies across jurisdictions but is enforced in leading crypto hubs
What you need to know:
In the UAE, Dubai's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) has established a comprehensive framework specifically for virtual assets, while Abu Dhabi's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) regulates them under its financial services framework. Both jurisdictions have specific provisions for stablecoins, treating them as regulated digital assets or e-money depending on their structure. Fiat-backed stablecoins like USDC and USDT must meet strict reserve requirements, custody standards, and disclosure obligations.
Bahrain has integrated crypto regulations into its existing financial regulatory framework, requiring Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to obtain licenses from the Central Bank of Bahrain. Stablecoins are regulated based on their structure, with fiat-backed stablecoins typically regulated as e-money or payment instruments.
Action point:
When working with Middle Eastern crypto payment providers, businesses should verify their regulatory status in the specific country and ensure compliance with local Travel Rule requirements.
Latin America
Crypto status:
Emerging regulation, varies by country
Key changes 2024-2025:
- Brazil is working on a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework for virtual assets.
- Mexico expected to enhance its fintech law to better address crypto assets
- Travel Rule implementation is uneven across the region but progressing
What you need to know:
Latin America presents a diverse regulatory landscape for crypto assets.
Brazil enacted its legal framework for virtual assets in 2023, designating the Central Bank of Brazil as the regulatory authority. The BCB has initiated a phased approach and is planning to finalize its regulatory framework by the end of 2024, with implementation expected in 2025.
Mexico regulates certain crypto activities under its Fintech Law, primarily focusing on AML compliance, but lacks comprehensive stablecoin-specific regulations. Argentina, Chile, and Colombia are in various stages of developing regulatory frameworks, with interim measures focused primarily on taxation and AML compliance.
The Travel Rule implementation varies across Latin America, with Brazil being the most advanced in its implementation. Other countries are gradually aligning their AML frameworks with FATF recommendations, including the Travel Rule requirements.
Action point:
When engaging with Latin American crypto payment providers, businesses should carefully assess the specific regulatory status in the relevant country and ensure their partners have appropriate AML controls in place.
Compliance models
Direct
You contract directly with BVNK and access our stablecoin payment services through the BVNK portal or via API.
Embedded
You embed BVNK’s stablecoin payment capabilities into your platform via API integration.
Infrastructure as a service
You use BVNK’s infrastructure only product (Layer1). You are fully responsible for your own compliance and risk appetite
Comparing compliance models
Stablecoin wallets and payments.
Stablecoin wallets and payments.
Fintechs, PSPs,
Marketplaces, EOR,
Payroll, Remittance, Gaming, Trading.
Fintechs, PSPs,
Marketplaces, EOR,
Payroll, Remittance, Trading.
Get smart on pricing
Understand typical provider fees and the cost levers affecting price.
Fees charged by a stablecoin provider
The following are typical examples of fees charged for stablecoin payments through these very a lot by provider. Choose a payments partner that gives you flexibility on how you charge for stablecoin transactions (eg enabling you to choose whether or not to pass certain fees on to your users).
Note: discuss custom pricing for your needs at BVNK’s, please reach out.
Network fees are payments made to incentivise miners or validators in the processing of transactions on the blockchain network.
Example for a $5000 USDT transfer:
Ethereum (ERC-20): ~$1-5
Solana: ~$0.00025-0.001
TRON (TRC-20):~$1-3 Bitcoin: ~$1-20
Gas fees are dynamic, meaning they are higher when there is network congestion.
OR users.
Some providers won't charge if the cost is very low. BVNK for example only charges for Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Tron.
Note: providers may not charge for deposits into their platform.
Higher spreads can decrease conversion on a pay-in for example, so find a stablecoin provider that gives you flexibility on whether to apply this fee, or whether it is baked into your processing fees instead.
Factors affecting pricing
The base cost of sending money via blockchain is often cheaper than the traditional banking alternative. But it will depend on a variety of factors:
Blockchain
- Choice of network: Fees vary greatly between blockchains. Some blockchains are designed to be more efficient, with optimizations that reduce the cost of transactions. Blockchains also use different consensus mechanisms (eg proof of work, proof of stake), which impacts the cost and speed of validating a transaction. Learn more about network fees
- Network demand: Blockchain network fees are dynamic: higher demand for processing can increase the price of network fees, as more users compete for limited block space.
- Transaction complexity: The complexity and size of transactions can also affect network fees. For example, smart contract interactions typically cost more than simple token transfers.
Market & provider
- Your volume: As with other types of payment, the bigger your volumes, the better the pricing you can access from your stablecoin payments provider.
- Your provider’s volume: Established providers who process higher volumes across their entire client base will have access to better pricing from banks, stablecoin issuers and liquidity providers.
- Strength of your provider’s partnerships: Strong, direct partnerships with stablecoin issuers and liquidity providers will enable your provider to access cheaper prices to pass on to customers.
- Market liquidity: Liquidity of particular stablecoins will affect exchange rates when converting in and out of your fiat currencies.
- Risk status: If your business operates in a higher risk industry, your provider may have to undertake enhanced due diligence, which may impact pricing.
The liquidity pricing flywheel
The infrastructure benefits of stablecoins are clear, and new lower cost blockchains have emerged in the last few years to enable lower transaction fees. Liquidity however is still a big driver of transaction cost. Here's how the liquidity-pricing flywheel works:
- Initial adoption: Users choose stablecoins for speed, global reach and programmability despite higher total costs
- Local market depth increases: As more transactions flow through specific corridors, liquidity improves
- Conversion spreads tighten: Better liquidity reduces on/off-ramp costs
- More use cases emerge: Lower costs enable new applications
Select your integration model
From portal to API to embedded, compare deployment options and resource implications.
Option 1: Managed service
Opting for a managed service like BVNK, means you can tap into an existing network of banking and liquidity partners. Your provider manages your crypto keys and ensures regulatory compliance. Perfect for customers seeking an all-inclusive solution with custody, compliance, and liquidity managed under one roof.
Technical integrations options
(post compliance onboarding)
Option 2: Self-custody infrastructure
Manage your own wallet keys, bring your own licensing, and integrate your chosen liquidity partners. Ideal for businesses with established licensing and a defined risk appetite. For example, BVNK’s infrastructure-only product, Layer1, empowers you with complete autonomy over your payments infrastructure. Perfect for licensed or soon to be licensed companies, payments are part of their core, and they want to manage their own tech stack in house.
Technical integrations options
Deploy your existing developers with no special experience.
Minimal technical resources: 2 Blockchain engineers
5-8 backend engineers
2 frontend engineers
2 dev-ops
Build your stablecoin experience
Get implementation tips from product managers and integration specialists.
Optimise your blockchain infrastructure
If you’re insourcing crypto payments infrastructure, these optimisations and automations will set up for success. (Note: if you're using Layer1 or BVNK these features are included).
Gas management
Gas fees vary by network and processing time, and must be paid in the blockchain's native currency. Look for infrastructure that automatically calculates optimal gas fees and monitors transactions on-chain, dynamically adjusting during network congestion to prevent failed payments without manual intervention.
Error handing
Don’t rely on systems that fail silently. Choose a provider that actively monitors transaction status and automatically retries failed attempts. Look for capabilities like gas refunds for failed transactions and intelligent routing issue detection to reduce failed payouts and prevent unnecessary support escalations.
Auto-conversion
Accepting crypto is only part of the solution: converting it seamlessly matters just as much. Opt for infrastructure that supports automatic conversion from BTC, ETH, USDT, and other assets into your preferred settlement currency, whether stablecoin or fiat, at the point of receipt. This ensures operational efficiency and minimizes FX risk.
BVNK's core Layer1 infrastructure automatically calculates optimal gas fees and monitors transactions on-chain
Set up your product
Plan your roll out to ensure you’re serving the right customers, with the right stablecoins and blockchains.
Support multiple stablecoins
Don't limit your reach by offering just one stablecoin. Geographic preferences vary based on local liquidity and spending options. Consider supporting popular options like USDT, USDC, PYUSD, and others.
Go multi-chain
Different blockchains suit different payment types (eg Solana for micropayments). Give users options across networks like Solana, Cardano, Ethereum, Tron, and Polygon while incentivizing use of preferred chains.
Ensure robust fiat capabilities
Select a provider offering:
- On/off ramping between stablecoins and fiat
- Auto-conversion to reduce exposure
- Safeguarded fiat accounts
- Access to relevant local payment rails
BVNK supports the most popular cryptocurrencies and stablecoins
Customise your front end
Boost adoption and improve conversion with these UX tips. Note: If you’re using BVNK’s hosted payments page all these UX best practices are already integrated.
Optimise for mobile
With around 40% of crypto payments happening on mobile, ensure responsive design and test QR wallet address ‘copy’ functions across all device types.
Localize experience
Detect browser locale automatically but include a language selector option to build trust.
Prevent lost funds
- Clearly display the required blockchain network (protocol)
- Choose a partner like BVNK that can recover cross-chain transactions (and provide help centre articles like this one to advise your users on this process)
- Include destination tag prompts where required
Use simple language
Avoid crypto jargon and provide clear action prompts (eg "Please send this amount to this address").
Integrate popular wallets
Smooth the payment journey by integrating with Coinbase, MetaMask, and Trust Wallet. For payouts, consider enabling users to create a wallet at the point of withdrawal for non-crypto native users.
Show local currency conversions
Display equivalent amounts in users' local currency early in the payment journey to build confidence.
Think ahead for payment discrepancies and errors
Configure how to manage underpayments and overpayments before launch to minimize support issues. We also recommend you ask your provider if they manage 'wrong chain' payments – automatically rerouting the payment to the correct chain to avoid loss of funds as BVNK does.
Enable VIP features
For stablecpin pay-ins, enable anytime wallet addresses by currency for frequent users so they can save details in their crypto wallet and deposit more quickly without repeating the full payment journey.
Drive adoption with education
Train your team
Ensure support staff can handle crypto-specific questions before launch.
Customer communication plan:
- Awareness: Introduce benefits via homepage banners, emails, and in-app notifications
- Education: Provide FAQs, tutorials, and video explainers to build trust
- Engagement: Share success stories and optimize based on usage data
Ensure launch compliance
Review regional guidelines for your launch markets and work with your provider to meet requirements like the UK's Financial Promotions regime for crypto assets.
Phase your roll out
Start with high crypto adoption markets or customer segments with higher crypto ownership.
Your implementation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you've covered all key aspects before launch:
- Define your use case: Selected specific stablecoin use case
- Compliance plan: Reviewed regulatory requirements for your markets and use case
- Integration approach: Selected technical integration model
- Prototype plan: Created timeline for prototype development
- Market testing: Identified test market or user group
- Measurement: Established KPIs for success
- Support: Established customer support processes
- Risk assessment: Documented potential risks and mitigations
- Launch plan: Created phased rollout strategy
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