Western Union is on the verge of launching a stablecoin strategy that could transform its global payment settlement process. CEO Devin McGranahan announced during the company's first-quarter earnings call that the US dollar stablecoin is nearing completion and is expected to launch in May. The digital dollar will operate on the Solana platform and will be issued in partnership with Anchorage Digital, a federally chartered crypto bank.
Initially, the stablecoin will be used as an alternative to the interbank settlement system currently in place, allowing for real-time transactions, including on weekends and holidays, and reducing the need for capital to be tied up in the system. The company also plans to introduce a Digital Asset Network, enabling crypto wallet companies to offer Western Union as a cash-out option, and a Stable Card, which will allow customers to hold stablecoins and make purchases through card networks.
This move comes as the company faces increasing competition from fintechs and crypto payments firms in the cross-border payments market.