Stablecoins Held Back by Fragmented Regulations

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has highlighted the limited adoption of stablecoins in international trade due to fragmented regulatory regimes. According to Juan Marchetti, director of the trade in services and investment division at the WTO, 'the constraint is not technology, it is actually regulation and the lack of development of regulatory frameworks.'

Marchetti pointed out that only 39% of surveyed jurisdictions have finalized their stablecoin regulatory frameworks, as per an October 2025 report from the Financial Stability Board. This indicates a significant gap in regulatory clarity across different regions.

The WTO's study on stablecoins in world trade emphasizes the potential benefits of these digital assets in reducing friction in international trade finance. However, the lack of unified regulations is hindering their adoption, with stablecoins currently making up only 3% of global payments.