Key Takeaways:

  • Stablecoin interest is accelerating – yet only 17% of treasury and finance leaders are ready to adopt today, signaling significant untapped potential as the ecosystem matures.
  • “The industry isn’t resisting digital innovation – it’s waiting for clarity, confidence and education,” said Tom Lang, Head of Treasury Management Product & Operations at PNC.
  • PNC is ready to help organizations navigate emerging payment technologies, evaluate stablecoin opportunities, and support their broader digital transformation goals.

As emerging payment technologies reshape how businesses move money, stablecoins have emerged as a prominent topic in today’s payments landscape. Although more than 95% of stablecoin activity still centers on supporting crypto trading, the market is beginning to explore how the technology could create value in real‑world payment flows.

Designed to hold a stable value and move funds on chain, stablecoins offer the potential for 24/7 value transfer independent of traditional payments systems. Advocates say they can help businesses bypass traditional banking hours and fragmented payment systems, while potentially improving speed, cost, transparency, and accessibility.

As a leader in digital and instant payments, PNC is committed to moving with the market. To better understand how organizations view the potential of stablecoins – and where they still see barriers – PNC Treasury Management surveyed attendees at the most recent Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) Conference.

The findings showed both the growing interest in stablecoins and the challenges organizations face as they navigate key questions around usage and integration.

Interest Builds as Adoption Remains in Early Stages

Survey results show that stablecoins have captured the attention of finance and treasury leaders – but current adoption remains limited. Only 17% of respondents identified themselves as early adopters of the technology, meaning they see themselves as “possible” or “very likely” to adopt stablecoin solutions in the near term. The majority remain “unlikely” or “unsure,” reflecting a broad gap between awareness and action.

Familiarity also skews low. Respondents indicated that they are still developing a foundational understanding of what stablecoins are, how they differ from traditional payment rails, and what risks, controls and benefits come with them.

“The data shows a market that isn’t resisting digital innovation – it simply hasn’t been given the clarity and confidence it needs to move forward,” said Tom Lang, Head of Treasury Management Product and Operations at PNC. “Providing that understanding is essential as the landscape evolves.”

The key takeaway: The market is in early stages. Education is extremely important right now in all industries, and the adoption of digital assets is still a very new concept for most professionals.

The Biggest Barrier: Knowledge, Not Technology

Across all industries surveyed, the biggest obstacle to stablecoin adoption is a “knowledge or skill gap” (29%), followed by “organizational reluctance” (20%), “unclear ROI” (18%), “compliance uncertainty” (16%) and “integration with systems” (12%).

Importantly, the survey also found that greater familiarity directly increased adoption likelihood across every industry. Modeling revealed that as respondents’ understanding of stablecoins improved, their predicted probability of adopting the technology increased alongside it.  

Lang noted: “This suggests that the industry is not struggling with resistance, but rather with limited exposure and education. When stakeholders understand how digital assets work – and more about how they can solve actual problems – that is when the conversation shifts.”

Different Industries are Moving at Different Speeds

PNC’s survey shows that industries vary considerably in their readiness to adopt stablecoin solutions. Sectors already more accustomed to digital assets – such as real estate, IT, and financial services – demonstrated higher familiarity and stronger adoption potential, while others showed lower awareness and a more cautious outlook.

Efficiency is the Primary Draw

When all respondents were asked how they could see stablecoins being used in their industry, intra‑company cash management emerged as the most widely cited opportunity (40%) – reflecting a desire to support liquidity, reduce costs, and improve overall treasury efficiency. A notable portion of respondents also acknowledged interest in exploring stablecoins for cross border payments (24%).

Why This Matters Now

The survey’s findings come at a time when digital payment infrastructure is evolving rapidly and stablecoins are becoming an increasingly relevant area of exploration for treasury and finance teams. Adoption today is low as corporates learn more. 

“Digital assets, including stablecoin, continue to drive attention,” Lang commented. “Our survey indicates that corporate adoption isn’t accelerating or stalling, it’s just waiting for clarity, confidence and education as the landscape evolves.”

Ready to Help

Regardless of how digital asset adoption ultimately takes shape, PNC is committed to meeting clients where they are – supporting secure, scalable money movement across traditional and emerging payment ecosystems.

PNC’s team of industry specialists is available to help companies navigate emerging payment technologies, evaluate potential opportunities, and support their digital transformation journeys. No matter the organization’s size or sector, PNC Treasury Management solutions are designed to drive measurable results, streamline operations, and strengthen financial performance.

To learn more, please reach out to your PNC Treasury Management Officer or contact us.