42% of CFOs Express Interest in Stablecoins as Payments Use Cases Grow

A growing number of CFOs are taking a closer look at stablecoins, as practical tools for moving money.

The interest is apparent in “Stablecoins Gain Ground: Why CFOs See More Promise There Than in Crypto,” a March PYMNTS Intelligence data book that tracks how middle-market finance leaders are evaluating digital assets.

The report finds that while cryptocurrencies still attract attention, stablecoins are gaining traction because they align more closely with payment needs.

CFOs are not rushing in, but they are signaling where digital asset adoption may go next.

The findings show a clear gap between interest and execution. Stablecoins are being discussed, tested and explored at higher rates than cryptocurrencies, yet real-world use remains limited so far. Firms are still waiting for clearer regulatory frameworks, stronger bank connections and systems that fit into existing treasury workflows. In short, stablecoins are moving from concept to consideration, but not yet to standard practice.

Key data points:

Forty-two percent of middle-market companies have discussed, tested or used stablecoins, compared with 30% for cryptocurrencies.

Only 13% report actual stablecoin use, versus 5% for crypto.

Seventy-seven percent of CFOs cite regulatory uncertainty as a barrier for crypto, and 67% say the same for stablecoins.

Stablecoins Shift Toward Payments Utility

The data suggests that CFOs see stablecoins less as investments and more as infrastructure. Stablecoins are primarily used for payments, including paying suppliers, handling cross-border transactions and settling with financial partners. A notable 88% of firms receiving stablecoin payments convert them immediately into U.S. dollars, underscoring that these assets are viewed as rails rather than stores of value.

Firms with lower operational uncertainty are more likely to increase their interest in stablecoins. Companies tend to explore new payment methods when their core business feels stable. That dynamic points to a path forward. As macro conditions settle and internal systems improve, experimentation could turn into broader deployment.

Banks Poised to Shape Adoption Path

How firms access stablecoins also offers clues about the future. The report finds that companies prefer bank-integrated solutions over direct access through wallets. Roughly 12% use bank-connected channels, compared with smaller shares using FinTech platforms or self-custody options. This preference suggests that traditional financial institutions will play a central role in scaling adoption, especially if they can embed stablecoin capabilities into familiar treasury tools.

The biggest hurdles remain practical. Beyond regulation, CFOs point to integration challenges, with about 40% citing the need to connect digital assets to existing financial systems. That reflects a broader reality in payments, namely, that new technology gains traction only when it fits seamlessly into workflows that already exist.

The report ultimately paints a measured but constructive picture. Stablecoins are not yet a core part of corporate finance, but they are moving in that direction. Interest is rising as use cases are becoming clearer.

At PYMNTS Intelligence, we work with businesses to uncover insights that fuel intelligent, data-driven discussions on changing customer expectations, a more connected economy and the strategic shifts necessary to achieve outcomes. With rigorous research methodologies and unwavering commitment to objective quality, we offer trusted data to grow your business. As our partner, you’ll have access to our diverse team of PhDs, researchers, data analysts, number crunchers, subject matter veterans and editorial experts.