63% of Women-Owned Businesses Say Stablecoins Would Make Overseas Transactions Easier

More than six in 10 women-owned businesses in South Korea expect stablecoins to make overseas payments and remittances easier if they are brought into the regulated financial system, a survey showed. Awareness of stablecoins remains low, however, underscoring the need for regulatory reforms and educational support.

ETNews reported on May 12 that the Women's Economy Research Institute, which operates under the Women Enterprise Comprehensive Support Center, recently released a report titled "Women-Owned Businesses' Perception of Stablecoin Institutionalization and Utilization Potential."

The survey was conducted from March 25 to April 8 among 550 companies that had received certificates verifying them as women-owned businesses.

Among respondents, 68.2% said they either were not familiar with stablecoins or had never heard of them. Overall awareness remained low.

Even so, respondents expressed optimism about practical use. In the current financial environment, they cited card and payment gateway, or PG, fees at 48.6% and settlement delays at 48.3% as key difficulties.

Among companies with overseas transaction experience, 84.2% said exchange-rate volatility was a major burden, while 70.5% pointed to remittance and foreign-exchange conversion costs.

The report said stablecoins are drawing attention in the market as an alternative infrastructure for improving the efficiency of cross-border payments.

Asked about the expected benefits of stablecoin adoption, 63.2% chose greater convenience in overseas transactions, the highest share. That was followed by 58.4% for 24-hour settlement on weekends and at night, and 56.1% for lower payment and remittance fees.

Concerns were also substantial. Respondents cited hacking and cybersecurity issues, along with fund-management risks, as the biggest risk factor at 76.4%. Low acceptance by counterparties followed at 71.4%, while 68.8% pointed to concerns over foreign-exchange and capital-transaction regulations.

As for the most urgent tasks, women-owned businesses cited establishing a clear legal and regulatory framework at 67.1% and improving tax and accounting standards at 44.5%.

The Women's Economy Research Institute said discussions on institutionalizing stablecoins should go beyond viewing them simply as virtual assets and instead approach them as payment and settlement infrastructure that can improve business efficiency. It added that education and consulting support should continue so women-owned businesses do not fall behind changes in digital finance.