Western Union Bets on Stablecoins to Revive Global Remittance Dominance

Western Union, the 170-year-old remittance giant, is pivoting toward stablecoin integration to modernize its cross-border payment infrastructure. CEO Devin McGranahan positions digital assets as a strategic opportunity rather than a threat, with pilot programs already underway in South America and Africa.

The MOVE comes as fintech disruptors like Wise and Remitly erode market share through digital-first models. Stablecoins offer Western Union a path to reduce settlement times from days to minutes while cutting operational costs—critical advantages in regions battling currency volatility.

This institutional embrace signals growing validation for stablecoin utility beyond speculative trading. The company's vast physical network could bridge the last-mile gap between crypto liquidity and local fiat withdrawals.