The future of corporate treasury may be blockchain-based — but here’s what you need to know before making the leap. 

By 2025, stablecoins are no longer fringe financial instruments. They’re not just for crypto startups or DeFi projects — they’re serious tools in the modern CFO’s arsenal.

With nearly $150 billion in stablecoins in circulation as of early 2025, and rising adoption across B2B payments, payroll, and global treasury, it’s clear: CFOs at global SMEs and startups can no longer ignore them. 

But stablecoins aren’t just a shiny new tool — they represent a structural shift in how money moves, settles, and is accounted for. So, if you’re a CFO asking “Should I care?” the answer is: absolutely. But you also need to tread carefully.

1. What Are Stablecoins — Really?

Stablecoins are digital tokens pegged to real-world currencies like USD or EUR, designed to hold a stable value. The most popular include:

• USDC (by Circle, backed 1:1 with cash-equivalent reserves)

• USDT (Tether, dominant in emerging markets)

• EURC (Euro-backed version of USDC)

• PYUSD, FDUSD, and regional stablecoins like XSGD (Singapore dollar)

They operate on blockchain networks — Ethereum, Solana, XRPL, and others — which means they can be transferred globally, 24/7, without banks or intermediaries. Settlement happens in minutes, not days.

This isn’t just speed. It’s programmable, transparent money infrastructure.

2. Why Are Businesses Using Stablecoins Now?

Several key factors are driving stablecoin adoption in 2025:

• Faster settlements: transactions clear in under a minute

• Lower FX and transfer fees compared to traditional rails

• Access to stable currencies (like USD or EUR) without needing a foreign bank account

• Real-time auditable ledgering

• Programmable logic for conditional payments

For finance teams, this is not just efficiency — it’s better control and visibility.

3. How Are CFOs Actually Using Them?

Real-world use cases include:

• Global payroll to remote teams, especially in emerging markets

• Vendor payments to freelancers or suppliers in stablecoins

• Holding stablecoins as part of treasury diversification

• Replacing or augmenting SEPA, ACH, or SWIFT for faster cross-border settlements

 Platforms like Endl, Request Finance, and Circle are making these use cases viable with compliance-ready infrastructure.

4. Compliance and Regulatory Considerations

CFOs must stay compliant while using stablecoins:

• Most stablecoins are legal for business use, but regulatory clarity varies by region

• Businesses must still follow AML/KYC rules — wallet ownership must be tied to verified identities

• Accounting treatment is evolving — stablecoins are often treated as digital assets, not cash equivalents

• Tools like Gilded or Bitwave are helping CFOs integrate stablecoin activity into their general ledger

 Understanding your jurisdiction’s stance is crucial. In the EU, MiCA provides regulatory clarity. In the US, the FIT21 Act is setting new standards.

5. What to Watch in 2025

• The rollout of MiCA regulation across Europe

• Increased scrutiny on stablecoin reserves and audits

• Competition between stablecoins (USDC vs Tether vs new entrants)

• Infrastructure advances from fintechs building on public blockchains

• Potential overlap or competition with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs)

CFOs should monitor developments that impact payment security, legal acceptance, and accounting standards.

6. Key Questions for CFOs to Consider

• Are we losing margin to FX fees that stablecoins could eliminate?

• Is our treasury strategy prepared for on-chain payment infrastructure?

• Do we need external custodians, or can we manage wallets internally?

• How will this impact audits and reporting cycles?

• What are the regulatory obligations in each region we operate in?

The Bottom Line

Stablecoins are evolving from financial curiosity to essential infrastructure. They offer new levels of control, speed, and global access for CFOs — especially in regions underserved by traditional banking. 

But like any new technology, they require proper education, compliance, and operational design. In 2025, a great CFO isn’t just a steward of capital — they’re also a systems architect.

And stablecoins? They’re becoming the pipes that global finance flows through.