Walmart and Amazon, two of the most renowned retail giants globally, are reportedly planning to venture into the cryptocurrency world by potentially launching their stablecoins as an innovative payment option for customers, as recent reports suggest. This strategic move could substantially reduce the hefty credit transaction fees these giants pay annually, contributing millions of dollars.
What are Stablecoins?
Stablecoins represent a unique category of cryptocurrencies directly tied to another commodity, with the U.S. dollar being a common example. The main objective of these stable cryptocurrencies is to establish stability, thus eliminating the rampant fluctuations often associated with crypto assets such as Bitcoin.
Evasion of Traditional Banking System
If an establishment of Amazon’s stature was to introduce its stablecoin or begin accepting the existing ones at checkout counters, it would mark a significant shift from conventional banking systems and credit card service providers. This dramatic transition could save the organization billions of dollars in fees, notably the interchange fees meant for credit card providers like Visa and Mastercard. As per recent reports from The Wall Street Journal, Amazon and Walmart are not the only organizations exploring this revolutionary option. Other significant players, such as Expedia and several airlines, are also closely looking into it.
Government Assistance for Issuing Stablecoins
While the idea of issuing stablecoins seems appealing, organizations looking to incorporate this cryptocurrency option will require substantial assistance from the government. Presently, the Senate is scrutinizing a bill labeled the Genius Act. The primary aim of this bill is to establish an effective regulatory framework to facilitate private companies in issuing stablecoins. This proposal has successfully passed an initial procedural vote this week but still awaits a full floor vote in both Chambers of Congress,
Current Scenario with Walmart and Amazon
When approached to comment on this topic, a Walmart spokesperson reserved comments. Despite reaching out via Investopedia request, Amazon did not respond immediately. Meanwhile, the shares of these two retail titans reflected minimal changes in recent trade activities. On the contrary, shares from Visa experienced a slump of 5%, and those of Mastercard noticed a downturn of 4%.
As of June 13, 2025, the overall scenario reveals a measured response from Walmart while sharing no insight, alongside updated share prices. The whopping potential of stablecoins has caught the attention of some of the industry’s most significant players, ringing in a new era of retail transactions. The implementation of this strategy could radically transform their business mechanisms while saving vast amounts of finances spent on card transaction fees. However, this integration would indeed be an elaborate process, demanding the government’s involvement for establishing a successful operational framework.
