How Colombian Fintechs Can Save on International Payments Using Stablecoins

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Jun 28, 2025

Colombian fintechs are driving innovation across the financial sector, but when it comes to international payments, they face persistent hurdles. High fees, lengthy settlement times, and a lack of transparency continue to disrupt operations and customer experiences. As cross-border business becomes more integral to growth, organizations need payment solutions that deliver both speed and cost efficiency.

The emergence of stablecoins—digital assets pegged to traditional currencies—provides Colombian fintechs with a new alternative. By adopting blockchain-powered payments, these firms can move beyond the pain points of legacy systems, especially when streamlining processes like batch stablecoin payouts for vendors and contractors.

TL;DR:

Traditional cross-border rails are slow, expensive, and prone to failure.
Stablecoins cut settlement times from days to minutes while lowering fees.
Regulatory vigilance is essential, but Colombia’s sandbox supports innovation.
Batch payouts and APIs unlock new efficiency for high-volume fintech operations.
Market momentum signals that stablecoins are becoming a mainstream option.

Why International Payments Are So Costly and Slow for Colombian Fintechs

Traditional international payment systems in Colombia are notorious for their slow speeds and high costs. Cross-border transfers can take 2–5 business days to settle, with **FX fees averaging 5.9%**—even higher than what businesses face in neighboring countries. On top of that, 41% of Colombian merchants reported at least one delayed or failed cross-border payment in the past year, while digital fraud, especially card-not-present schemes, has surged by 30% year-over-year.

Recent FX and compliance regulations introduced in 2024 have further increased operational hurdles, disproportionately affecting small and medium-sized enterprises.

The result? Many fintechs lose valuable time and revenue to inefficiency and risk.

These pain points highlight the urgent need for a faster, more reliable, and transparent solution—one that not only reduces costs but also improves operational agility.

For a detailed breakdown, see our analysis of payment challenges for Colombian merchants.

What Are Stablecoins—and Why Are They Transforming Cross-Border Transactions?

Think of stablecoins as digital dollars designed for the blockchain era. Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, stablecoins such as USDC, USDT, and DAI are pegged to stable assets like the US dollar or euro, minimizing price volatility and making them ideal for business transactions.

Stablecoins come in several varieties:

Fiat-collateralized (e.g., USDC, USDT) are backed 1:1 by cash reserves.
Crypto-collateralized (e.g., DAI) use other cryptocurrencies as collateral.
Algorithmic stablecoins maintain their peg through supply/demand algorithms.

With a global stablecoin market cap surpassing $250 billion as of mid-2025, these assets are rapidly gaining traction for cross-border transactions—offering speed, transparency, and ease of integration with digital wallets and financial platforms.

Additionally, stablecoins help expand financial inclusion by providing access to digital financial services for unbanked and underbanked Colombians.

For regulatory context, review our stablecoin compliance checklist for Colombian PSPs.

How Stablecoins Slash Costs and Speed Up International Payments

The biggest advantage of stablecoins for Colombian fintechs is the dramatic reduction in cost and settlement time. While traditional wire transfers can cost anywhere from $30 to $50 per transaction and take days to clear, stablecoin transfers are typically processed in minutes and function around the clock, providing true 24/7 availability not restricted by banking hours or holidays.

A 2024 survey reported that 71% of Latin American businesses use stablecoins for cross-border payments, citing lower costs versus legacy systems like Western Union. Partnerships such as Nexo and Sphere are reducing payment settlement times across Latin America from days to just hours, underscoring the real potential for efficiency.

For more on how Colombian PSPs are leveraging stablecoins to overcome cross-border payment delays, see this in-depth guide.

Real-World Example: Batch Stablecoin Payouts in Action

While direct Colombian case studies remain limited, regional initiatives show what’s possible. The Venezuelan fintech platform El Dorado, now operating across Latin America (including Colombia), processed over three million peer-to-peer stablecoin transactions by June 2025, reaching more than 400,000 users. This illustrates how batch and P2P stablecoin payments can scale to meet the needs of businesses and contractors alike.

Leading platforms such as Mural Pay enable automated batch and recurring payouts for even greater operational efficiency.

Batch stablecoin payouts can offer significant efficiency gains, especially for companies managing global teams or high-volume vendor payments.

For a closer look at batch payout workflows, see our deep dive on batch stablecoin payouts.

Unlocking Multi-Currency Flexibility with a Stablecoin API

Beyond simple transfers, a modern stablecoin API lets Colombian fintechs open multi-currency virtual accounts, automate on-chain settlements, and trigger instant FX conversion when payouts land. This architecture reduces back-office overhead while giving finance teams tighter control of treasury flows—no additional banking entities required. As market volatility persists, the ability to hold or convert funds on demand is quickly becoming a competitive differentiator for regional payment providers.

Regulatory and Compliance Considerations for Colombian Fintechs

Colombian fintechs must navigate a complex and changing compliance landscape as they integrate stablecoins into their operations. While the Unidad de Información y Análisis Financiero (UIAF) and Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (SFC) have not released specific 2025 guidance on stablecoins, new legislation proposed in March 2025 seeks to promote blockchain innovation and investor protection, while mandating strong compliance and reporting standards.

The UIAF currently requires all crypto transactions exceeding $150 USD to be reported, underscoring the government’s focus on transparent monitoring and anti-money laundering.

Colombia’s regulatory sandbox “La Arenera” continues to allow fintechs to pilot crypto innovations under controlled conditions, providing a safe space for testing compliance frameworks.

For a deep dive into compliance requirements, refer to our Colombian cross-border payment compliance guide.

Risks and Best Practices When Using Stablecoins for International Payments

While stablecoin adoption offers major advantages, it’s not without risks. Regulatory uncertainty, technical vulnerabilities, and the need for strong compliance systems all demand careful attention. For example, businesses should vet stablecoin issuers for transparency, diversify across multiple coins to avoid single-point failure, and invest in advanced cybersecurity measures.

Fintech leaders should also prioritize staying informed on policy updates and seek advice from legal and compliance specialists.

A regional example: El Dorado’s expansion into Colombia has highlighted the importance of compliance and user education, as regulatory frameworks remain in flux.

For more on risk management and custody strategies, see top stablecoin custody risks (and how Mural solves them).

Market Trends: Stablecoin Adoption and Institutional Momentum in Colombia

Stablecoin adoption is accelerating across Latin America, with Colombia poised for further growth. While exact 2025 stats for Colombia remain elusive, Argentina and Brazil have both seen surging usage—driven by inflation, remittance needs, and regulatory openness. In Argentina, for example, stablecoins have become a popular hedge against currency devaluation.

Beyond remittances, stablecoins are now being adopted for everyday transactions and as a store of value in high-inflation environments.

Major institutions like Bancolombia are actively exploring digital asset integration, and platforms like El Dorado are expanding stablecoin services across the region.

For a comparative view on regional momentum, see Colombia vs Mexico: Which Country Is Winning on Stablecoin Adoption?.

Key Takeaways: Why Stablecoins Are the Future for Colombian Fintechs

The evidence is clear: stablecoins are emerging as a game-changer for Colombian fintechs navigating the complexities of international payments. By reducing costs, speeding up settlements, and improving transparency, stablecoins empower businesses to compete globally—while supporting financial inclusion and digital innovation at home.

To explore how your organization can benefit from stablecoin-powered payments, visit Mural Pay’s stablecoin payments infrastructure.

FAQ

How do stablecoins lower transaction costs for Colombian fintechs?
Stablecoins bypass multiple correspondent banks, so network and FX spreads are significantly reduced. Most transfers settle on-chain for a fraction of the cost of traditional rails.

Are **stablecoin payments** compliant with current Colombian regulations?
Yes—provided firms follow UIAF reporting thresholds, maintain robust KYC/AML controls, and, when possible, leverage the “La Arenera” sandbox for pilot programs.

Can we use a **stablecoin API** to automate batch payouts?
Absolutely. Platforms like Mural Pay support CSV uploads, webhooks, and scheduled runs, letting finance teams pay hundreds of recipients in just a few clicks.

What happens if a recipient doesn’t have a crypto wallet?
Most providers offer instant off-ramps to local bank accounts, so recipients can choose between on-chain settlements or fiat deposits.

How quickly can a Colombian fintech integrate stablecoin functionality?
With pre-built SDKs and sandbox environments, initial testing can start in hours, and production launch often takes just a few weeks depending on compliance scope.