Cost Comparison of Remittance Methods
A new analysis has demonstrated a staggering cost difference between remittances using stablecoins and those executed through traditional banking channels. The report, released by the stablecoin payment network Borderless, showed that sending money abroad via stablecoins costs approximately 84% less than conventional methods.
Median Transaction Costs
According to Borderless' third-quarter data, transferring $200 through stablecoin networks incurs a median fee of just $2, equating to about 1% of the total amount sent. In contrast, traditional transfer services charge much higher, with an average fee of $12.72, which represents 6.36% of the transaction.
This study compared figures from Borderless during the third quarter of 2026 against World Bank statistics from the same period in 2025.
Emerging Markets Highlighted
The disparity in costs is particularly noticeable in emerging markets. For instance, in Sub-Saharan Africa, remittance costs using stablecoins are about 2.9%, compared to a hefty 8.46% for traditional services. Similarly, Latin America sees stablecoin remittances costing around 1.25%, versus 5.64% for their traditional counterparts.
Cost Benefits for Business Transfers
Stablecoin transfers aren't only advantageous for personal remittances; they also offer substantial savings for business-to-business transactions. When sending €10,000 to the Eurozone, the cost of utilizing the lowest-cost stablecoin provider can drop to as low as $26. Even when using the median stablecoin provider, the fees amount to $52. This is a significant saving when compared to traditional bank transfers, which can range between $135 and $150, taking into account transfer fees and a 1% foreign exchange fee.
Rapid Transaction Settlement
In addition to being cost-effective, stablecoin-based remittances boast faster settlement times. Transactions can be credited to the recipient’s local bank account in a matter of minutes, depending on the network used. For example, Brazil's PIX network reports a median settlement time of just 2 minutes, while Mexico's SPEI requires around 3 minutes, and Colombia's PSE averages 2 minutes.
In contrast, traditional SWIFT transfers typically take until the next business day for settlement, with some taking as long as 3 days. Completion rates also vary by network: Mexico’s SPEI boasts a high completion rate of 98.6%, while Brazil’s PIX follows closely at 97.8%. However, Colombia’s PSE and Costa Rica’s SINPE have lower rates, at 79% and 73%, respectively.
Conclusion
The findings from this study highlight the clear advantages of using stablecoin networks for remittances. With substantially lower costs and faster processing times, stablecoins could redefine how people send money internationally, especially in regions where traditional banking options are more expensive and slower.
