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Despite offering considerable technological advantages, stablecoins remain far from achieving widespread consumer adoption. That’s the view of Mastercard Chief Product Officer, Jorn Lambert, who addressed the topic during a recent analyst call.
📉 Technology Isn’t Everything
Lambert acknowledged the key benefits stablecoins bring to the table—such as instant transactions, low fees, round-the-clock availability, and programmability. However, he emphasized that these features alone are not enough to make stablecoins viable for everyday payments.
> “People expect a seamless user experience, broad merchant acceptance, and real utility. Technology alone doesn’t fulfill those expectations,” Lambert stated.
🧩 Mastercard’s Role as a Bridge Between Crypto and Traditional Finance
Mastercard has positioned itself as a central infrastructure provider connecting the digital asset ecosystem with traditional financial services. With its global acceptance network, strong regulatory track record, and advanced security systems, the company is uniquely equipped to support the evolution of stablecoins into scalable payment solutions.
Mastercard is already working with players such as Paxos (USDG), PayPal (PYUSD), Circle (USDC), and Fiserv (FIUSD), aiming to build the backend needed for large-scale, secure stablecoin transactions.
🛑 Consumer Adoption Still Limited
Lambert pointed out that approximately 90% of stablecoin usage remains confined to crypto trading rather than real-world payments. Initiatives from platforms like Coinbase and Shopify to enable stablecoin payments have seen limited traction due to a lack of compelling features and broad acceptance.
> “Today, stablecoins are akin to prepaid cards—limited in utility and merchant reach,” he explained. Lambert also stressed the need for solutions that address conversion between fiat and crypto, regulatory compliance, real-time settlement, and robust infrastructure.
🏦 Institutional and Regulatory Momentum Building
Not all industry voices share the same cautious outlook. U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller recently argued that stablecoins could increase competition in the payment space, driving down costs and improving efficiency.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in the U.S. are actively debating a set of crypto-related bills—dubbed “Crypto Week”—including landmark proposals that aim to create a regulatory framework for stablecoins. If approved, such regulation could reshape how banks and financial institutions engage with digital assets.
🌍 Global Interest from Central Banks and Governments
Lambert also noted that governments and central banks globally are closely tracking stablecoin developments. Many are exploring digital currency models that can support innovation while preserving monetary sovereignty, particularly in regions looking to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.
> Dis#Stablecoins information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry risk and may result in financial loss.