[Analysis] "Stablecoins will establish themselves as payment infrastructure in 2026"

There is a growing view in the virtual asset (cryptocurrency) industry that stablecoins could become a core element of the global financial infrastructure. However, there are also warnings that market fragmentation and new risks could expand simultaneously depending on the regulatory environment.

On the 30th, virtual asset specialist media Cointelegraph reported, "As a result of surveying 20 executives in the virtual asset industry about next year's stablecoin market outlook, widespread expansion into payment and settlement infrastructure emerged as a common key theme."

In particular, the industry sees stablecoins' 24-hour real-time payment structure and low transaction costs as able to complement the limitations of existing financial systems.

Tyler Sloan, co-founder and Chief Product Officer (CPO) of Nura, said, "In 2026, stablecoins will transition from being a mere virtual asset element to becoming core payment infrastructure across decentralized finance and traditional finance." He explained, "Transactions will settle instantly, and users will not perceive fees or technical complexity."

Regulatory clarity was also cited as a major driver of growth. Adrian Woll, head of the Digital Sovereignty Alliance, predicted, "A phase may come in which regulated dollar-backed stablecoins are directly integrated into the payment systems of banks, fintechs, and retail companies." Magnus Marenek, co-CEO of Cosmos Labs, also assessed, "Regulation will rather lead to the promotion of competition among new stablecoin issuers."

However, there were also points that stricter regulation could cause market fragmentation. Boris Borer-Villovitsky, CEO of Concordium, said, "2026 will be a point where hype and actual utility are clearly distinguished," and added, "Stablecoins that fail to secure trust and security are likely to be phased out."

The inflow of institutional funds was also cited as a key variable. OKX's Hong Fang predicted, "In 2026, stablecoins will expand into traditional financial areas such as intercompany payments, treasury management, and payroll." Rebecca Liao, co-founder of Saga, evaluated that stablecoins "could become the point of first contact with virtual assets for the majority of users."

Meanwhile, some industry figures pointed to tokenized deposits as an alternative that could challenge stablecoins' dominant position. Simon McRufflin, CEO of Uphold, said, "Tokenized deposits that directly represent bank deposits on the blockchain can be competitive in terms of regulatory stability and depositor protection," and added, "2026 could be the year tokenized deposits rise in earnest."

The outlet reported, "The 2026 stablecoin market is likely to be a turning point in which expansion into payment infrastructure, integration into the formal financial system, and competition with new forms of digital currency unfold simultaneously," adding, "We are entering a phase where growth and risk expand together."