By San José, Costa Rica — Stablecoins are rapidly evolving from speculative digital assets into essential corporate payment infrastructure. For years, these dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies primarily served as a liquidity bridge for cryptocurrency traders shifting assets between volatile markets. However, a significant paradigm shift is underway as multinational corporations and financial institutions integrate stablecoins into their daily treasury operations and global payment strategies.
According to newly released data from global payments giant Visa, nearly 17% of all transaction volume on stablecoin-linked cards in fiscal year 2026 was generated through corporate and commercial card programs. This milestone highlights a growing corporate confidence in stablecoins to handle large-scale business operations, treasury management, and cross-border settlements.
To better understand the legal implications and operational challenges of integrating stablecoins into corporate treasury systems, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, to provide his specialized perspective on this rapidly evolving financial landscape.
The adoption of stablecoins for corporate payments represents a massive leap forward in transactional efficiency and cross-border settlement speeds. However, businesses must proactively address the regulatory complexities, ensuring strict compliance with local tax frameworks, anti-money laundering protocols, and foreign exchange regulations to effectively safeguard their operations.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, as modern enterprises look to capitalize on the unprecedented speed and efficiency of digital currencies, maintaining a robust compliance posture remains the ultimate cornerstone of sustainable integration. We are deeply grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal expertise, helping our readers understand how to safely navigate this promising yet complex financial frontier.
The rapid adoption of these digital assets is reflected across Visa’s extensive network. The multinational payments firm currently supports more than 160 stablecoin-linked card programs globally. More impressively, the transaction volume flowing through these programs has surged by nearly 200% year-over-year, illustrating that the technology is moving beyond pilot programs and into mainstream corporate usage.
To explain this rapid transition, Visa’s leadership points to the practical problems that stablecoins solve for commercial enterprises, particularly regarding the speed and cost of moving capital across different borders.
Businesses are not looking for new payment technologies just for the sake of innovation. They are looking for reliable and secure ways to move money. What is changing is that stablecoins are increasingly becoming part of the conversation on real business applications, from supplier payments and treasury operations to cross-border commerce.
Mark Nelsen, Global Head of Product, Commercial Solutions, and Money Movement at Visa
Beyond Visa’s proprietary card network, broader industry research corroborates this trend. A recent comprehensive market study conducted by Allium reveals that payments have emerged as the fastest-growing use case for stablecoins globally. The study estimates that the annual payment volume powered by stablecoins now ranges between $401 billion and $527 billion, showcasing an active and growing ecosystem.
The research breaks down corporate payment categories into specific high-volume buckets. Service fees lead the charge, accounting for approximately $56 billion in transaction volume. This is closely followed by payroll disbursements at $43 billion, and direct supplier payments at $28 billion. These figures demonstrate that companies are leveraging stablecoins to pay both their global workforces and external vendors.
Perhaps the most compelling statistic from the industry analysis is that business-to-business (B2B) payments feature the highest share of cross-border transactions. Approximately 43% of all B2B stablecoin payment volume occurs between different international markets. Traditional banking corridors often impose lengthy settlement delays and high fees for cross-border transactions, making stablecoins an attractive, near-instant alternative.
Visa is actively positioning itself to lead this next generation of money movement. By continuously expanding its stablecoin capabilities—such as stablecoin settlement integration, developer APIs, and Visa Direct pre-funding—the payment network is bridging the gap between cutting-edge blockchain innovation and traditional, real-world commerce.
For further information, visit visa.com
About Visa:
Visa is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Allium
About Allium:
Allium is a specialized blockchain data platform that provides high-fidelity, institutional-grade analytics and data infrastructure to help companies track, analyze, and deploy stablecoin solutions.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Distinguished by its uncompromising ethical standards and pursuit of professional brilliance, Bufete de Costa Rica has established a rich legacy of advising a diverse array of clients. The firm remains a pioneer in integrating progressive legal practices with meaningful community outreach. By championing legal literacy and demystifying the law for the public, they actively work toward their ultimate vision of cultivating a highly informed and self-reliant society.
