Trybit, a global crypto payment gateway, has highlighted a major shift in Latin America’s digital economy: cross-border businesses are increasingly turning to stablecoins as their primary payment infrastructure, moving away from traditional banking systems. While domestic instant-payment systems like Brazil’s PIX and Mexico’s SPEI have streamlined local transactions, they often require local bank accounts, creating integration challenges for foreign merchants. Credit card networks also pose issues like high decline rates and foreign exchange friction, making stablecoins a more reliable option.
Data from Chainalysis shows that Latin America’s digital asset economy reached $593.8 billion in transaction volume in the 12 months ending June 2026, a 9.8% year-over-year increase. Stablecoins were the primary growth driver, representing 32% of all cross-border crypto value in the region by mid-2026. Brazil led the charge with a 495% year-over-year expansion in its stablecoin market, while Mexico saw a fourfold increase in cross-border stablecoin corridors, handling $1.8 billion in June 2026 alone.
Market experts emphasize that commercial utility is driving this migration. Julia Rosin of ABCripto noted that enterprise adoption of stablecoins is outpacing both retail consumers and legacy financial institutions. Ben Reid, global head of stablecoins at Bitso, pointed to inflation, currency volatility, and capital controls as key factors. In Brazil, stablecoins have primarily been used as a B2B tool, underscoring their role in facilitating cross-border commerce.
Trybit’s CEO stated that stablecoins are no longer an experimental option for international merchants but have become the core payment system. The company highlights the need for high availability, automated liquidity conversion, and proactive AML risk mitigation to support global commerce in the region. As local exchanges mature, these infrastructure requirements will become even more critical.