If you sell online, you already know that payment processing can be a headache — high fees, slow settlements, and complicated international transactions all eat into your margins. Enter stablecoins: one of the most promising developments in digital payments since the invention of credit cards. They’re already being used by companies like Stripe, SpaceX, and Shopify merchants, and now — thanks to Bankful’s fully compliant crypto payment solution — they’re available to you, too.

In this guide, we’ll cover what stablecoins are, why they’re important for online payments, and how Bankful’s crypto payment solution uses them to give your business faster, cheaper, and more reliable transactions.

What Are Stablecoins?

Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a consistent value, usually pegged to a stable asset like the US dollar or euro.

• Example: 1 USD Coin (USDC) = $1 USD
• How it works: The issuing company holds reserves of cash or other assets to back the stablecoin’s value.

Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, which can fluctuate by double digits in a single day, Stablecoins are built for price stability, making them perfect for everyday payments.

There are three main categories of Stablecoins:

1. Fiat-backed stablecoins– Tokens redeemable for fiat at an issuer (e.g., dollars in cash & short-term Treasuries). Trust depends on the issuer’s reputation and the ease of redemption (often via exchanges like Coinbase or Uniswap). Today these make up 90%+ of supply.
   • Backed 1:1 by cash or cash equivalents.
   • Example: USDC, USDT.
   • Similar to a digital version of holding a dollar bill.
2. Asset-backed stablecoins– Created when users lock collateral onchain (e.g., crypto assets) to mint new dollar-denominated tokens—analogous to how banks expand money via lending. As more assets live onchain, this share is expected to grow.
   • Created when borrowers lock up assets (like crypto) as collateral.
   • Similar to how banks create money through lending.
3. Synthetic dollar tokens (not true stablecoins)– $1-tokens whose backing mixes collateral plus an investment strategy (yield, basis trades, etc.). They can be hard to audit and may expose users to exchange and market risks, so they’re not considered reliable stores of value or media of exchange.
   • Represent $1 but backed by a mix of assets and investment strategies.
   • More volatile — not ideal for everyday payments.

Why merchants should care about Stablecoins

Online merchants have historically avoided crypto payments because of volatility. But with stablecoins, that risk disappears — you know exactly what the payment will be worth when you receive it.

Here’s why stablecoins matter for your store:

1. Predictable Revenue – No more worrying about market swings eating into your profit.
2. Lower Processing Costs – Reduce or eliminate the 2–4% card fees you’re paying now.
3. Faster Settlements – Get paid in minutes instead of waiting days for bank transfers.
4. Global Reach – Accept payments from customers in any country without currency conversion fees.
5. Better Cash Flow – Faster payments mean you can reinvest in inventory and marketing sooner.

Imagine a CBD merchant selling to customers in Europe. Traditional payment methods might take 3–7 business days to settle, with currency conversions and multiple fees in between. With stablecoins, that payout could happen the same day — at a fixed value — so you get paid faster and keep more of your earnings.

Why small businesses could lead the shift to Stablecoins

If you run an online business—or even a local small shop—you know how quickly those transaction fees add up. It’s time to rethink payments with Stablecoins, and here’s why small and medium businesses (SMBs) stand to gain the most.

• Every dollar counts in low-margin businesses
  For a $2 product, only $1.70–$1.80 ends up with the merchant. The remaining 10–15% vanishes through fees paid to banks and credit card networks—costs that can crush tiny margins. Stablecoins let businesses reclaim that lost revenue.
• Minimal products needed, just reliable payments
  Unlike banks and card networks that charge premiums for fraud protection or financing, many everyday transactions don’t need those extras. Small businesses don’t want unnecessary overhead built into every sale.
• Local trust can drive adoption
  Many small businesses already have strong, loyal customer relationships especially local customer bases. That trust makes it easier to introduce a new payment method because customers are more willing to try something new when recommended by a business they know and trust.

Stablecoins vs. traditional payments

How Bankful’s Crypto Payment solution uses Stablecoins

Bankful’s crypto payment solution was built with online merchants in mind.

• Volatility protection: Payments are processed in Stablecoins like USDC or USDT, so the value stays consistent.
• Instant settlement: No waiting for bank clearances — your funds arrive almost immediately.
• Seamless integration: Works with your existing checkout, whether you sell on Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or a custom site.
• Multi-payment support: Accept both crypto and traditional payments in one unified system.
• Secure & compliant: Our system follows strict regulations to verify merchants and monitor transactions, so you can accept crypto payments confidently and legally.

Common merchant questions about Stablecoins

1. Do I need to understand crypto to use Stablecoins?
No. With Bankful, you can accept Stablecoins just like any other payment method — no wallet setup or blockchain expertise required.

2. Can I get payouts in my local currency?
Yes. We can automatically convert your Stablecoin payments into your preferred currency and deposit them into your bank account.

3. Are Stablecoin payments reversible?
No. Like cash, once a Stablecoin payment is confirmed, it can’t be reversed — which reduces the risk of chargebacks for merchants.

Why this matters for your online store

If you’re selling online, your margins are already under pressure from rising costs, competitive pricing, and ad spend. Accepting stablecoin payments can help you:

• Keep more of each sale by lowering transaction costs.
• Access customers in new markets without payment friction.
• Get paid faster so you can keep inventory moving.
• Future-proof your payment stack as digital currencies gain adoption.

Ready to offer Stablecoin payments?

Bankful’s crypto payment solution is designed to help merchants accept Stablecoins without complexity or risk. Whether you’re looking to lower fees, expand globally, or just give your customers more ways to pay, we make it simple.

Get in touch to start accepting Stablecoin payments today and see how easy it can be to add fast, reliable crypto payments to your online store.