BIS Paper: Stablecoins Reduce Friction in Cross-Border Settlements, but Are Still Subject to Liquidity Constraints

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) released Working Paper No. 1385, comparing the cross-border payment costs of traditional banks, fintech remittance companies, and stablecoins. The paper points out that stablecoins can complete cross-border transfers through networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Tron, reducing reliance on correspondent banks and SWIFT.

The paper states that the exchange rates of stablecoins for major currencies can approach wholesale foreign exchange rates, and on-chain transfer fees are relatively low. However, the complete process involving fiat currency, stablecoins, and fiat currency still incurs transaction, withdrawal, and exchange fees. Stablecoins reconstruct the intermediary process but do not eliminate intermediaries. Insufficient market depth limits the cost advantages of large payments, and some advantages in emerging markets are related to capital controls and demand for US dollars.