Major Retailers like Amazon and Walmart Look at Digital Dollars to Cut Costs

Some of the largest names in retail and travel are now weighing the benefits of entering the stablecoin space. According to reports, companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Expedia are exploring digital payment alternatives that could eventually bypass traditional financial networks.

Good to know

• Amazon and Walmart are evaluating the idea of launching their own dollar-pegged stablecoins.
• The GENIUS Act in Congress could shape how these plans unfold.
• Firms are also looking into using existing stablecoins instead of building their own.

Retail giants are taking a serious look at blockchain-based payment tools. Anonymous sources cited by The Wall Street Journal say that Amazon, Walmart, and even airline operators are researching how stablecoins could help them reduce transaction fees and speed up payments.

The move would represent a shift away from relying on traditional banking infrastructure, where companies often pay large fees to credit card networks and financial intermediaries.

Why Stablecoins?

Stablecoins are digital assets pegged to stable assets such as the US dollar, precious metals, or other cryptocurrencies. They are often backed one-to-one, meaning one stablecoin equals one dollar in reserve. Businesses see them as useful for cutting costs and avoiding delays that typically come with credit card settlements and wire transfers.

Expedia Group is among those looking into these digital payment solutions. Airlines are also part of the conversation, possibly aiming to cut international processing delays and fees.

The Role of the GENIUS Act

Whether companies decide to go forward with issuing their own stablecoins may depend on how Congress handles the GENIUS Act. The U.S. Senate has scheduled a vote on Tuesday June 17. Introduced earlier this year, the bill proposes a legal framework for stablecoins and other alternative payment systems.

If passed, the legislation could allow companies to offer their own digital dollars and compete more directly with financial networks like Visa and MasterCard.

Walmart has reportedly lobbied for changes in the GENIUS Act that could increase competition in the credit card market. Meanwhile, Amazon is focused on stablecoins designed for in-platform purchases.

Not All Plans Require Custom Coins

Not every company plans to build its own token. Some are also exploring how to integrate existing stablecoins like USDC or USDT into their payment platforms. This approach could allow for faster implementation without navigating the full regulatory process that comes with launching a new asset.

In either case, if stablecoin use becomes widespread in retail, it could reshape how billions of dollars in daily transactions move through the economy.