Walmart, Amazon Look Into Launching Their Own Stablecoins

• Michael Willson
• June 20, 2025

Walmart and Amazon are both exploring the idea of launching their own stablecoins to cut payment costs and speed up transactions. This move could change how millions of people shop and pay online. The goal is simple: replace slow, expensive card payments with faster, cheaper crypto-based options.

In this article, we’ll break down what both companies are planning, why it matters, how stablecoins would work in retail, and what it means for everyday users and the financial system.

Why Walmart and Amazon Want Their Own Stablecoins

Both companies spend billions each year on interchange fees — the cost of processing credit and debit card transactions. These fees go to networks like Visa and Mastercard.

By using stablecoins, Walmart and Amazon could:

• Cut transaction costs
• Speed up settlement times
• Reduce reliance on traditional card networks
• Own more of their payments infrastructure

Stablecoins settle instantly, and because they run on blockchain networks, they don’t require multiple middlemen like traditional banking.

What’s Holding Them Back?

The biggest barrier is regulation.

Pending Stablecoin Laws

In the U.S., legislation like the GENIUS Act and STABLE Act would allow non-bank firms — like retailers — to issue fully backed stablecoins legally. Until these laws pass, companies can’t move forward with their own digital currencies.

At the moment, Walmart and Amazon are still in the research phase. They’re considering:

• Launching a proprietary stablecoin
• Partnering with existing issuers like Circle or PayPal
• Joining a retail-focused stablecoin consortium

They’ve not confirmed any launch dates, but multiple sources report that internal teams are working on pilots and feasibility studies.

Retailer Stablecoins vs Traditional Payments

Feature	Retailer Stablecoin	Credit/Debit Cards
Settlement Speed	Instant	1–3 business days
Fees Paid by Retailer	Near zero	1.5%–3% of each transaction
Ownership of Infrastructure	Fully controlled by retailer	Controlled by banks/networks
Cross-border Use	Easier with stablecoins	Expensive, slow with cards
Regulation Required	New laws needed	Fully regulated

This is why retailers are watching the legislation closely. No law, no launch.

How the Market Reacted

When news broke, Visa and Mastercard stocks dropped by nearly 5%. Investors saw it as a real threat. If retailers begin processing transactions internally using stablecoins, card networks could lose billions in annual revenue.

Still, analysts caution that even if Amazon or Walmart launch a stablecoin, it will take years for consumers to change habits.

Cards offer cashbacks, fraud protection, and wide acceptance. Any new system would need similar benefits — plus a strong reason to switch.

What Could the Consumer Experience Look Like?

A customer could:

• Load their stablecoin wallet inside the Amazon or Walmart app
• Pay instantly at checkout using that balance
• Earn loyalty points, discounts, or cashback for using the retailer’s coin
• Avoid currency conversion fees for international purchases

This would feel similar to using a gift card or store wallet, but on blockchain rails.

If designed well, this could also lead to faster refunds, better fraud tracking, and easier cross-border shopping.

Retail Stablecoin Launch Requirements

Element	Why It Matters	Current Status
Legal Clarity	Enables stablecoin issuance	Pending GENIUS and STABLE Acts
Consumer Incentives	Encourages usage	Not yet announced
Technical Infrastructure	Wallets, apps, checkout integration	Likely under development
Merchant/partner adoption	Acceptability beyond own platform	Still uncertain

Until all four are solved, stablecoin adoption will remain limited to early pilots or closed ecosystems.

What Should Businesses and Developers Watch?

If these retail giants succeed, it could:

• Trigger stablecoin adoption across e-commerce
• Force banks and card networks to drop fees
• Open the door to Web3 loyalty systems
• Create new job opportunities in blockchain dev, compliance, and UX

If you’re working in fintech, marketing, or product management, it’s a smart time to upskill. Earning a crypto certification could give you the edge to work on stablecoin integrations or retail payments innovation.

And if you’re focused on data or backend systems, a Data Science Certification can help you analyze blockchain transactions, customer behavior, and fraud detection.

If you work in strategy, retail tech, or product marketing, a Marketing and Business Certification is the right next step to prepare for this shift in digital commerce.

Final Thoughts

Amazon and Walmart launching their own stablecoins could change how we pay for everyday items — not in five years, but possibly within the next 12–24 months.

But it won’t happen without new laws, strong consumer incentives, and deep trust.

Retailers want more control over payments. Regulators want financial stability. And users want simplicity and value. The company that balances all three could define the future of retail payments.