How Will International Payments Change? Introducing Blockchain Use Cases: BitTrade Releases 'Crypto Asset Guide: June 2026 Edition'

BitTrade, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Lei Guan) has published the 'BitTrade Crypto Asset Guide: June 2026 Edition,' which introduces foundational knowledge and trending themes regarding crypto assets.

The theme for this edition is 'International Transaction Payments/Deposit Verification and Blockchain Technology.'

When many people hear 'crypto assets,' they often think of price fluctuations in Bitcoin or Ethereum. However, there is a growing global movement to utilize blockchain technology for cross-border payments, inter-company deposit verification, and corporate treasury management.

International transactions can involve various challenges, such as payment timing, exchange rates, bank operating hours, and deposit verification. In inter-company cross-border transactions specifically, tasks like payment and deposit verification can be time-consuming due to factors such as the partner's country or region, currency used, financial institutions, and internal approval workflows.

This guide introduces how blockchain technology is beginning to be applied in the area of international payments and deposit verification, along with examples from around the world.

Why Are International Transactions Often Time-Consuming?

International transactions involve counterparties in different countries or regions, using different currencies and financial institutions. Consequently, this area requires verifying more items compared to domestic bank transfers or payments.

For example, international payments may pass through multiple financial institutions. Differences in time zones and bank operating hours can sometimes delay processing and deposit verification. Furthermore, there are many practical verification items such as fees, exchange rates, processing status, and the counterparty's reception environment.

Similar issues apply to inter-company international transactions, where the timing of payments, currency, exchange rates, deposit verification, and coordination with trading partners are critical. While trade involves many procedures, including documentation and logistics, this guide focuses on the surrounding areas of payment and deposit verification. In these areas, mechanisms utilizing stablecoins and blockchain are gaining attention as new options.

Why Are Stablecoins Gaining Attention in the Payment Sector?

'Stablecoin' is a term widely used, especially overseas, to refer to digital payment instruments or assets that aim to link their value to fiat currencies like the US dollar or other assets.

While there are multiple mechanisms for what are called 'stablecoins' overseas, in Japan, digital money-like instruments linked to the value of fiat currency and redeemable at the issue price are categorized as 'electronic payment instruments' rather than crypto assets.

Unlike crypto assets like Bitcoin, whose prices are highly volatile, these digital payment instruments are designed for price stability to make them easier to use for payments. Stablecoins are gaining attention for international payments because they offer the possibility of conducting cross-border value transfers on the blockchain. They are less affected by bank operating hours, allow for easier tracking of processing status, and have the potential to expand the options for payment methods.

On the other hand, there are many points to verify even with stablecoins. Who is the issuer? How are the reserve assets managed? In which countries or regions can they be used? How are they handled under legal regulations? Does the counterparty have the environment to receive them? Practical use requires verification not only of technology but also of systems and operations.

Global Examples of Adoption in Payments and Treasury Management

There is a growing global trend of adopting stablecoins and blockchain technology in the fields of payments and treasury management.

For instance, Visa is advancing initiatives for stablecoin settlement. In April 2026, the company announced that its stablecoin settlement pilot had expanded to support nine blockchains, reaching an annualized payment run rate of $7 billion. This is an example of how stablecoins are beginning to connect not only for crypto trading but also with existing payment networks.

PayPal is also progressing with efforts to utilize PYUSD through Xoom. Xoom aims to make cross-border payment processing faster and lower-cost for PayPal users through Yellow Card's stablecoin infrastructure. It is noteworthy that users are not necessarily aware of the blockchain; rather, stablecoins are used behind the scenes of payment processing.

Banks are also advancing efforts in corporate payments using blockchain. HSBC has launched a Tokenised Deposit Service for corporate clients in Hong Kong. This service supports real-time, 24/7 payments in HKD and USD between corporate wallets held at HSBC Hong Kong.