Western Union to Launch Stablecoin Card Protecting Money in High-Inflation Countries

Highlights:

• Western Union to launch a stablecoin card to protect money in high-inflation countries worldwide.
• Families can send and receive funds without losing value using dollar-backed stablecoins.
• Stablecoins and blockchain integration help Western Union speed up transfers and reduce transaction costs.

Western Union is entering crypto payments with a new prepaid stablecoin card for countries with high inflation. The card is designed to protect people’s money when local currencies lose value quickly, CFO Matthew Cagwin said at the UBS Global Technology and AI Conference.

Cagwin highlighted that it focuses on markets where inflation reduces savings quickly. He gave Argentina as an example. Last year, inflation there went over 200%, some say even 250%–300%. In these conditions, sending money can lose value quickly. For example, $500 sent home may be worth only $300 after a month. Western Union’s card keeps money safe by using U.S. dollar stablecoins.

The stablecoin card builds on Western Union’s existing prepaid cards but focuses on volatile economies instead of U.S. users. Partnering with Rain, which issues Visa cards backed by stablecoins, the card lets users spend digital dollars directly or convert them to local cash at participating branches. This gives people access to both digital and physical money for daily needs.

Stablecoins Provide Real-World Value Protection

Cagwin explained the card’s practical benefits. Families in high-inflation countries can send and receive money without losing value due to currency changes. Using a dollar-backed stablecoin helps transfers keep their purchasing power even during severe economic instability. This could change how remittances protect households in fragile markets.

Additionally, Cagwin stated that Western Union is partnering with multiple providers to create on-ramps and off-ramps in its digital asset network. The goal is to rely less on traditional banks and make fund settlements faster. Western Union currently processes about $500 million daily, and small delays can tie up large sums. Using stablecoins could free these funds faster and improve liquidity across the global payments network.

Western Union is also expanding its stablecoin offerings with USDPT, a dollar-backed stablecoin planned for early 2026. USDPT will run on the Solana blockchain and be issued by Anchorage Digital, a U.S.-regulated crypto bank. Western Union expects this system to lower transaction costs, speed up settlements, and allow real-time cross-border transfers.

Crypto Integration Enhances Global Payments

This recent move shows how traditional finance and crypto technology are coming together. In high-inflation countries, the stablecard gives users faster access to dollar-backed funds and smoother spending without losing value. For Western Union, it also lowers costs, speeds up settlements, and reduces reliance on slow banking channels.

Stablecoins are now major tools in global payments. A new International Monetary Fund paper said the stablecoin market has passed $300 billion, increasing pressure on regulators. The report reviewed rules in the U.S., U.K., Japan, and the European Union and called for a universal framework.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will publish its first draft rules for stablecoin issuers this month. Travis Hill told lawmakers the proposal will explain how issuers can seek federal oversight and set a clear path for companies looking for approval.

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