A major shift is underway in the financial technology space as payment infrastructure company Stripe announced its integration with Ethereum, enabling businesses to accept cryptocurrency payments directly. The move highlights the accelerating convergence between traditional finance and decentralized financial networks, underscoring how global payment systems continue to evolve. Over the past year alone, more than $33 trillion in stablecoins has flowed across blockchain networks. Yet despite that scale, e-commerce payments remain largely underpenetrated, pointing to significant room for expansion.
That opportunity is gaining attention. A recent study from Rapyd found that 64% of businesses, including large retailers and e-commerce platforms, plan to adopt stablecoins within the next three years. The trend reflects growing comfort with cryptocurrency-based payments for everyday transactions. Offering perspective on where the market is heading, Arthur Firstov, Chief Business Officer of Mercuryo, joined the discussion live from the New York Stock Exchange.
The opening months of 2026 have already delivered volatility across financial markets, driven by geopolitical instability, macroeconomic shifts, and a surge in IPO activity. Stablecoins are now emerging as a central part of that narrative. Firstov pointed to the NYSE’s recent announcement around 24/7 trading and the tokenization of digital assets as a signal that stablecoins are moving closer to the core of global finance. Adoption is expanding across payments, remittances, and payrolls, setting the stage for what many view as the early phase of a much larger growth cycle.
Institutional behavior is also shifting. Banks and financial firms are increasingly adopting decentralized blockchain infrastructure and transitioning toward native decentralized exchanges. This enables self-custodial asset management and multi-collateral trading while laying the groundwork for broader stablecoin-based payment adoption. Firstov noted that 2026 could represent a turning point for mass adoption, with these technologies becoming more accessible across borders.
Momentum is not limited to the U.S. In 2025, Robinhood began enabling European customers to trade securities using blockchain technology. That development expanded access for non-U.S. investors, particularly to assets such as Treasury bills and stablecoins, and highlighted the growing international footprint of tokenized finance.
Emerging markets are seeing some of the most immediate impact. Crypto and stablecoin networks are increasingly being used for cross-border payments, treasury management, and the shift from 24/5 to 24/7 trading. The appeal lies in decentralized finance’s permissionless, open-source infrastructure, which lowers barriers and broadens access to financial tools.
Regulation remains a critical piece of the puzzle. Firstov emphasized how quickly regulatory frameworks are evolving, noting that adaptation across the ecosystem has moved faster than many expected. At Mercuryo, compliance remains a priority, with systems designed to align with emerging policies while helping companies in developing markets offer more sophisticated financial products.
Looking ahead, expectations for 2026 include improved liquidity, clearer regulatory guidance, and greater interoperability across global financial systems. While emerging markets may benefit first from decentralized finance adoption, developed economies also stand to gain as traditional and blockchain-based systems increasingly intersect.
As platforms like Stripe integrate directly with Ethereum and regulatory clarity continues to improve, digital assets are moving closer to mainstream financial use. For businesses both large and small, these developments are reshaping how payments, treasury operations, and global commerce are approached. The growing collaboration between legacy financial institutions and blockchain technology points toward a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem, one that aligns with long-term sustainability goals and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).