The Bank of Italy has released findings indicating that stablecoin-based remittances do not offer a consistent cost advantage compared to traditional remittance methods. This assessment challenges the common perception that blockchain technology inherently reduces cross-border payment expenses.
According to CoinTelegraph, researchers highlighted that most cost differences and settlement time variations stem from fiat conversion fees and the payment infrastructure involved, rather than blockchain transaction costs. This suggests that the broader financial ecosystem plays a more significant role in remittance efficiency than the stablecoin technology alone.
For Japanese markets, where remittance flows and FX conversions are substantial, these insights underline the importance of considering infrastructure and regulatory factors alongside emerging digital assets when evaluating payment innovations.