Regional Stablecoins: Catalyzing Financial Inclusion and Growth Outside of the USA

Pendulum
Pendulum-Chain
Published in
4 min readDec 7, 2023

In emerging markets, where financial systems often face challenges such as limited access and high transaction costs, stablecoins are emerging as a transformative solution. Regional stablecoins are gaining popularity alongside their USD-centric counterparts. Although USD-backed stablecoins such as USDT and USDC currently lead the market, regional alternatives are quickly gaining momentum, particularly in areas with more regulatory-friendly environments. This article delves into their use cases, adoption examples, and the broader impact they have on local economies.

Euro Stablecoins

Among those carving out a niche in the European market are Mykobo’s and Circle’s EURC — two Euro-backed stablecoins providing tools to simplify payments for European users and businesses.

Mykobo’s EURC is a significant development in the realm of stablecoins, offering a 1:1 Euro-pegged asset that maintains stability and is fully redeemable for Euros. EURC ensures a robust reserve system, upheld by regular audits and stringent regulatory adherence. This approach provides a secure, stable, and transparent medium for transactions within the Eurozone, fostering a more integrated and efficient digital economy.

Circle’s EURC, accessible globally on platforms like Avalanche, Ethereum, and Stellar, brings a full-reserve model Euro-backed stablecoin to the table. It offers the promise of near-instant, low-cost payments worldwide, catering to a range of users from businesses to developers, exchanges, and institutional traders. This multi-chain stablecoin facilitates seamless conversion between local fiat and digital currencies, thus contributing significantly to the digital finance landscape.

Brazil’s Financial Evolution with BRZ

In Latin America, the BRZ (Brazilian) and ARZ (Argentinian) stablecoins are transforming how businesses and individuals engage in financial activities. Provided by Transfero, these stablecoins facilitate cross-border transactions and remittances, bypassing the high costs associated with traditional currency conversion. In 2022, Transfero’s BRZ stablecoin saw more than one million transactions processed.

Their adoption reflects a growing recognition in Latin America of the need for more agile and crypto-friendly financial solutions, as seen in Brazil’s proactive approach to digital currencies.

TZS: A Stepping Stone for Tanzania’s Fintech Ascent

The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS), backed by ClickPesa, is an example of how stablecoins can aid in financial inclusion. This initiative provides Tanzanians with access to digital financial services, enabling smoother transactions and a more inclusive financial environment.

The introduction of TZS is particularly significant in a region where traditional banking services are often out of reach for a large segment of the population.

The partnership between ClickPesa and Pendulum aims to empower small businesses in Tanzania. Through the use of Pendulum’s DeFi solutions, this collaboration seeks to finance Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), thereby bridging the SME funding gap in East Africa. This initiative exemplifies the potential of stablecoins and DeFi in creating tangible impacts in emerging economies.

The Impact of Regional Stablecoins

The growth of regional stablecoins represents a shift towards a more diversified and resilient financial system. These stablecoins are not just digital representations of fiat currencies; they are gateways to increased financial accessibility, reduced transaction costs, and enhanced economic participation for underbanked populations.

As we witness the rise of regional stablecoins all around the world and especially in emerging markets, it’s clear that these digital assets are more than just tools for financial transactions. They are catalysts for economic growth and inclusion, bringing modern financial services to those who need them most.

Regional stablecoins represent a new dawn in digital finance, particularly in emerging markets, offering a glimpse into a future where financial systems are more inclusive, efficient, and tailored to local needs. For more insights into how Pendulum is facilitating this transformation and to be part of this financial revolution, join the Pendulum community on Telegram and Discord.

About Amplitude

Pioneering the internet of fiat. Amplitude is the sister network of Pendulum on Kusama. It will act as a testing ground for Pendulum applications and network parameters and be powered by the AMPE token.

About Pendulum

Building the missing link between fiat and DeFi through a fiat-optimized smart contract blockchain based on Polkadot’s Substrate. Allowing traditional finance fiat services to integrate with DeFi applications such as specialized forex AMMs, lending protocols, or yield farming opportunities. Developed by SatoshiPay.

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Pendulum
Pendulum-Chain

Traditional finance infrastructure blockchain. The missing link between fiat and DeFi. Limitless fiat. Decentralized future.