The case for real‑time money
Legacy financial rails were built for paper, not the internet. Borders stifle, fees add up, and intermediaries slow everything down.
Stablecoins on open blockchain rails promise something better: real‑time, borderless money. These digital tokens stay pegged to currencies like the dollar or yen, yet they can be sent anywhere at internet speed. Stablecoins are a type of digital token designed to hold a steady value relative to an underlying asset, such as a fiat currency or commodity.
Unlike traditional cryptocurrencies, which can swing wildly in price, stablecoins peg their value to reserves, usually cash or short‑term treasury securities, so that 1 token = 1 unit of the reference asset.
That’s why fintechs and payment networks are turning to them for everyday payments and treasury flows.
Why stablecoins matter for builders
- Instant settlement & always on: Blockchain rails let value move in seconds, 24/7. No cut‑offs or holidays.
- Global by default: Send and receive tokens across borders without finality delays.
- Programmable: Smart contracts make money workflows dynamic and programmable.
- Transparent & compliant: Reserves backing regulated stablecoins are audited, and transfers leave a verifiable trail, easing KYC/AML compliance.
Meet the majors: USDC & USDT
USDC and USDT are the world’s most widely used stablecoins, both pegged to the US dollar. They share a 1:1 target price.
Feature | USDT | USDC |
Issuer | Tether | Circle & Coinbase (Centre) |
History | Largest stablecoin by trading volume; used since 2014 | Second largest; launched in 2018 and growing quickly |
Going global: non‑USD stablecoins on Polygon
Money shouldn’t come in one flavor. Polygon is home to 30+ non‑USD stablecoins that serve local markets and currencies. These tokens let builders offer local onchain settlement, avoid forex slippage, and design products that speak to regional users.
BRL1 and BRLA: Brazilian real
- What: Stablecoins pegged 1:1 to the Brazilian real.
- Who: BRL1 is issued by a consortium of leading Brazilian exchanges, Mercado Bitcoin, foxbit, Bitso, and liquidity provider Cainvest; BRLA is issued by Avenia, infrastructure for moving money.
- Proof of stability: Fully backed by reals and Brazilian government bonds.
- Why it matters: BRL1 and BRLA eliminates friction in moving reals between exchanges and enables conversions.
- Why Polygon: Low fees, fast block times, and proven network stability make Polygon the go‑to rail for real issuance and transfers.
JPYC: Japanese Yen
- What: Japan’s first regulated yen stablecoin.
- Who: Launched by Tokyo fintech JPYC in October 2025.
- Proof of stability: Fully collateralized with bank deposits and government bonds.
- Why it matters: JPYC opens the yen to instant cross‑border use and DeFi while planning to issue 10 trillion yen over three years.
- Why Polygon: JPYC went live on Polygon, underscoring the network’s reputation for reliability and global distribution.
EUROD: Euro stablecoin
- What: Euro‑denominated stablecoin compliant with the EU’s MiCA regulations.
- Who: EUROD is issued by ODDO BHF, a 175‑year‑old French bank
- Proof of stability: Fully backed by euro reserves
- Why it matters: EUROD launched on Polygon with 5.1 million coins, providing Europeans with a regulated on‑chain alternative to USD stablecoins.
- Why Polygon: A Euro stablecoin on Polygon lets fintechs serve EU customers without converting to dollars and demonstrates how Polygon’s rails meet institutional standards
These are just a few of many. Polygon natively supports over 30+ non-USD currencies, including XSGD (Singapore dollar), MXNe (Mexican peso) and more, highlighting its broad adoption across APAC and LATAM.
Why builders choose Polygon: The open money stack
Polygon’s mission is to build the open, programmable stack that powers borderless finance. Here’s why it’s the go‑to rail for stablecoins and payments:
- Trusted & reliable: Billions in USDC, USDT and other stablecoins settle on Polygon every month. Leading fintechs like Revolut, Stripe, Flutterwave, and BlackRocks’ BUIDL are on Polygon’s rails. The network delivers >99.9% uptime and proven enterprise‑grade security.
- Unified & modular: Polygon unifies settlement, liquidity orchestration, compliance, and user experience into one programmable layer. Builders can focus on products, not plumbing.
- Instant & low‑cost: With ~2 second block times and fees a fraction of a penny, Polygon makes microtransactions and remittances viable.
- Global reach: On‑ and off‑ramp integrations span 150+ countries, letting builders launch local payment flows without overhauling legacy systems.
From builders to users: Real‑world impact
- Fintech kits: Launch wallets, neobanks or remittance services with Polygon’s plug-in-play documentation, stablecoin liquidity, and compliance tools.
- Treasury management: Multinationals manage FX exposure and pay suppliers instantly using programmable stablecoins.
- Merchant settlement: Retailers settle sales in stablecoins and convert to local currency instantly, eliminating chargebacks and costly card fees.
- DeFi & tokenized assets: Money market funds, RWA tokens and yield products run on Polygon’s rails, giving users on‑chain access to institutional‑grade assets.
Join the open money movement
Polygon is already powering the future of payments. As the go‑to stack for borderless money movement, Polygon unifies settlement, liquidity, and orchestration so builders can launch at scale without reinventing the wheel.
Whether you’re a fintech, a treasury manager or a curious creator, join the network where money moves like information: open, instant and everywhere.
Ready to build? Reach out to our team or dive into the docs.
