Stablecoin transfers cost 84% less than traditional transfers

Borderless.xyz data shows major savings in cross-border trade payments, with stablecoin transfers also settling faster than traditional international bank wires.

Stablecoin remittances continue to offer significant cost savings over traditional money transfers, particularly in emerging markets, fueling one of the leading use cases for digital dollars by increasing payment activity.

According to a new Q3 report from Borderless.xyz, a stablecoin payment network, sending a $200 remittance through stablecoin capitalized payment rails costs an average of 1%, or $2, compared to 6.36%, or $12.72, for traditional remittances, according to World Bank data.

This difference makes stablecoin remittances roughly 84% cheaper, although this comparison uses Borderless' Q3 2026 pricing and World Bank figures from the same period in 2025.

Savings are also significant in emerging markets. In sub-Saharan Africa, stablecoin transfers cost 2.9%, compared to 8.46% for traditional transfers. In Latin America, the fees are 1.25% and 5.64%, respectively.

According to the report, merchant payments made through stablecoins are also significantly cheaper. A $10,000 stablecoin transfer to the Eurozone costs $26 when done through the low-cost provider, compared to $52 across all corridors at the average provider.

In comparison, a traditional international bank wire costs between $135 and $150 for the same amount, including transfer fees and an assumed 1% foreign exchange margin.

Stablecoins offer significant cost savings for larger business transactions. Source: Borderless.xyz

Beyond the cost savings, the Borderless report found that stablecoin-powered payments can reach recipients' local bank accounts within minutes, depending on the payment network used.

In Brazil, payments on the PIX network averaged two minutes in the third quarter, while Mexico's SPEI network took three minutes. Colombia's PSE network also recorded an average settlement time of two minutes.

In comparison, traditional SWIFT transfers typically settle the next business day, with the slowest 10% taking three business days.

However, payment completion rates varied significantly. Mexico's SPEI network successfully completed 98.6% of payments, followed by Brazil's PIX with 97.8%. Colombia's PSE network completed 79 percent, while Costa Rica's SINPE recorded a completion rate of only 73 percent.

These findings come as stablecoin transaction activity continues to grow. Standard Chartered has recently highlighted an increase in trading volume despite relatively steady growth in the overall value of the stablecoin market this year. The bank expects the market to reach $2 trillion by 2030, two years later than previously forecast.