Editorial staff
LATAM and Southeast Asian nations are perfect examples of how stablecoin payment solutions (such as those that have become popular on Polygon) have migrated far beyond their initial roots. Some even feel that these transactions could soon take centre stage in terms of wide-scale adoption throughout emerging markets. What are some of the reasons why fiat is no longer the only option? Are there any specific advantages that cryptocurrencies can offer developing regions? Let's dive right in to see how the global economy is transforming at an unprecedented pace.
Fiat is Here, but Crypto is Creeping In
Fiat transactions have always represented the mainstay of financial transactions within emerging marketplaces. Still, times are changing. There are a number of pronounced disadvantages that have only recently come to light (especially when compared to stablecoins). Some of these concerns include:
- Delays in cross-border payments.
- Issues with currency devaluation, inflation, and fiat exchange rates.
- High processing fees (that both merchants and consumers may be forced to pay).
- Outdated point-of-sale infrastructure.
- Difficulties with integrating different POS platforms within a single interface.
Note that we are not only talking about bank transfers in this sense. Even some of the latest methods, such as e-wallets, can suffer from the very same drawbacks. Sellers may be hampered with increasing cart abandonment rates, poor levels of customer satisfaction, and lengthy settlement times. In the same respect, buyers have become hesitant to pay hefty third-party fees. They are also concerned about data protection, processing times, and foreign currency exchanges.
The main takeaway point here is that emerging markets have already witnessed the pullback from fiat across developed nations. In some ways, we can even say that they are learning from the mistakes of the western world (to an extent, of course). This is why stablecoins represent the most logical way forward. Let us now extrapolate these observations into two key developing areas.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is experiencing an unprecedented economic boom, and plenty of examples can reinforce this point. Not only has China emerged as a global powerhouse, but this same impetus is being felt across countless other regions. For instance, the GDP of Singapore now outpaces Hong Kong. Vietnam is currently experiencing an economic growth rate exceeding 8% per annum. The GDP of Malaysia has likewise topped 5% due to global demand for high-end electronics. These are the very same reasons why businesses are keen to embrace frictionless payment solutions, and stablecoins lead the way. Take a look at these trends:
- 56% of Southeast Asian businesses accept stablecoin payments.
- 43% of all international payments are powered by stablecoins.
- Nearly half of all enterprises cited an expansion into new marketplaces as the predominant driving factor.
As Southeast Asia continues to exert a presence across the global economy, it is only logical to assume that cryptocurrencies will enjoy even more prominence.
LATAM Nations
Interestingly enough, LATAM countries have also become fixated with stablecoin payment solutions. 71% of all firms surveyed in 2025 stated that they already rely on cryptocurrencies for cross-border transactions. An additional 60% employ stablecoins to pay regional suppliers. In terms of LATAM concerns, it appears that a stable form of value pegged to the United States dollar is the driving force. This is also why major cryptocurrency scaling solutions such as Polygon (and their recent Open Money Stack protocol) are leading the way in terms of large-scale adoption.
A Hint of Things to Come
We can now begin to understand why Polygon has invested so much time into creating a secure payment platform intended to leverage the latest benefits of blockchain technology, to ensure rapid settlement times, and to drastically reduce gas fees. However, it is also likely that the statistics highlighted above are gross understatements when compared to what to expect throughout 2026.
Emerging marketplaces hoping to enjoy a competitive edge are aware that fiat is not the only solution, and their migration into the stablecoin ecosystem is expected to gain even more momentum.
Editorial staff
