Stablecoins; not your brothers’ digital asset

Stablecoins offer opportunities and pose risks

Potential for increased adoption of stablecoins and implications for the banking sector has become a hot topic among investors given the push among policymakers. Eventually, consumers might be able to buy dollar-linked stablecoins and potentially earn interest on these assets, meaning more competition for bank deposits. There are regulatory hurdles that first need to be cleared but Congress is currently considering a few proposals that could bring this closer to reality. While the use case beyond cross-border payments seem limited at the moment, the potential for non-banks (Big Tech / Big Retails) to come up with creative solutions to induce adoption poses risks. That said, potential for banks to issue a stablecoin once the regulatory framework is in place could mitigate risks, Ebrahim Poonawala discusses these issues as we delve into stablecoins, the areas where they could be particularly helpful to consumers and how, if adoption winds up being significant, they could impact everything from US Treasury demand to loan funding, to payment fees.

 

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

 

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities.

©2025 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.