According to Wall Street reports, both Amazon and Walmart are evaluating a move into the stablecoin market.
The reports, citing people familiar with the matter, stated that their effort is part of a broader push to improve payment efficiency and reduce processing fees.
Amazon and Walmart Eye Stablecoin
According to the report, the two retail giants are considering multiple options, including issuing their own digital currencies or collaborating within a stablecoin consortium.
This initiative could mark a major shift in how retail payments are processed, allowing merchants to bypass traditional financial intermediaries like Visa and Mastercard.
These legacy systems often impose high fees and slow settlement times. In contrast, stablecoins promise near-instant transaction finality and significant cost reductions.
Considering this, market observers pointed out that Amazon and Walmart’s initiative reflects a growing appetite among large corporations to modernize payments using blockchain-based infrastructure.
Plan Faces Regulatory Headwinds
Despite the growing interest in these assets, the success of Amazon and Walmart’s stablecoin ambitions may hinge on the evolving US regulatory environment.
US lawmakers are reviewing the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act). The bill recently advanced in the Senate and will soon be up for a final vote.
The proposed law aims to bring stability to the $251 billion stablecoin market by setting clear rules for issuance, reserve backing, and consumer protection. Its supporters argue that the regulatory clarity would boost public trust and encourage innovation in the emerging industry.
However, the current version of the GENIUS Act explicitly restricts non-financial public companies from issuing stablecoins directly.
This limitation could pose a significant hurdle for firms like Amazon and Walmart. They would need to secure regulatory exemptions or operate through licensed banking subsidiaries.
Considering this, Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy Digital, noted that the retailers would likely need to establish or acquire a regulated financial entity to participate. He added that the process would involve navigating approvals from the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and the Treasury.
Despite this potential convoluted process, Amazon and Walmart’s interest suggests that major retailers are preparing for a future where stablecoin payments become part of everyday commerce.
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