The world of digital payments is about to face a major transformation. The most up-to-date news shaking the market is the report that two global retail giants, Walmart and Amazon, are seriously exploring the possibility of issuing their own stablecoins. This move has the potential to disrupt the dominance of traditional credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard, as well as usher in a new era in consumer transactions.
Why Are These Retail Giants Interested in Stablecoins?
Walmart and Amazon, which process billions of dollars in cash and card transactions each year, see stablecoins as an innovative solution to tackle the enormous transaction costs.
Key Points of Development (based on reports from June 13-14, 2025):
* Cut Billions in Transaction Costs: The main motivation for Walmart and Amazon is to save on "swipe" fees or transaction costs imposed by credit card companies, which amount to billions of dollars each year. With stablecoins, they could process payments faster and cheaper.
* Fast and Efficient Transactions: Stablecoins, pegged to fiat currencies like the US Dollar, are designed to facilitate digital transactions. They enable instant payments, even for cross-border transactions.
* Potential for Internal or Consortium Coins: Both companies are considering two scenarios:
* Create their own brand stablecoin to be used on their platforms and stores.
* Joining a consortium with other major retailers to develop or utilize third-party stablecoins.
* Regulatory Support (GENIUS Act): Their interest arises amid progress on the GENIUS Act in the US Congress, which aims to create a regulatory framework for stablecoins. Clear regulations will encourage companies to take further steps.
* Other Major Companies Taking Notice: Walmart and Amazon are not alone. Reports also mention other multinational companies, such as airline operators and the Expedia Group, exploring similar options. In fact, a consortium of major US banks like JPMorgan Chase is also in the early stages of discussions about a joint stablecoin project.
Impact on Traditional Payment Industry and Crypto Market
This aggressive move has significant implications:
* Threat to Visa and Mastercard: This news caused stocks of credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard to plummet by 2% to 6% on Friday, June 13, 2025. Analyst William Blair, Andrew Jeffrey, referred to this as an "inevitable threat" to their business model, although they argue that consumer adaptation to crypto will still take time.
* Traditional Banks Shaken: Banks that heavily rely on transaction fees are starting to worry. Some of them have even begun considering issuing their own stablecoins in response.
* Push for Crypto Adoption: The presence of stablecoins from retail giants will bring digital assets closer to everyday consumers, significantly increasing mass adoption. This will make crypto payments much more common.
* Innovation and Competition: Competition in the digital payment sector will become increasingly fierce, driving greater innovation and efficiency across the financial ecosystem.
Brief Conclusion
Reports about Walmart and Amazon exploring the issuance of their own stablecoins are major news that could change the global digital payment landscape. This move is driven by the desire to save billions in costs and offer more efficient transactions. While it will pose a significant challenge to the dominance of traditional credit cards, it also represents a significant push for broader adoption of blockchain and stablecoins.
