The most common use case for stablecoins in the UK is for online purchases, point of sale, payment links for luxury items and more. Many online retailers, such as Nettle and Bitcashier, now accept stablecoins as a form of payment, allowing customers to purchase goods and services. Stablecoins offer an alternative, faster, cheaper and more secure method of payment than traditional fiat currency methods.

This allows sending and receiving money quickly between individuals easily without the need for a bank or other intermediary. This is particularly useful for those who do not have access to traditional banking services or want to avoid the high fees associated with them.

The aim of ‘banking the unbanked’ is tied into this, which works to level the playing field and provides everybody access to capital regardless of their social background or situation.

Many people in the UK receive and send money to family and friends in other countries. Stablecoins offer a fast and cheap way to do so. Stablecoins can be sent directly to the recipient’s wallet, reducing and in some cases, removing the high fees associated with traditional remittance services.

Micropayments are small payments, usually under £1, that are used to pay for digital content or services.

Stablecoins offer a fast and cheap way to make these payments, which is essential for the growth of the digital content industry. If these purchases were to be made with a credit card, the fee associated with this payment method might often outweigh the value and cost of the project, thus rendering the purchases useless.

Stablecoins fix this due to the lower associated costs of transacting stablecoins.

Many retailers offer loyalty programs to customers, where they can earn points or rewards for making purchases or interacting with their favourite brands.

Stablecoins can be used to facilitate and power these programs, allowing customers to earn and redeem rewards in digital currency. Similar to a Starbucks stamp, or a British Airways Avios air mile, stablecoins can be used in loyalty programs across the UK.

Some companies are now paying their employees in stablecoins, offering a fast and secure method of payment.

This is particularly useful for companies that operate globally and want to avoid the high fees associated with traditional payroll services. No longer do people have to explain to their bank why they are moving a large sum of money, nor do they have to worry about providers locking away a portion of their funds until they have jumped through endless hoops of identification.

It is a simple payment sent to the recipient’s wallet, with which they quickly have the freedom and power to use how they please.

Many charities, such as Ángeles Unidos en Acción, and non-profit organisations now accept stablecoins as a form of donation, allowing people to make donations quickly and easily without the need for a bank or other intermediary.