The line between traditional finance and decentralised finance is getting blurrier by the day and IAMTN has decided not to wait around for the dust to settle. The global trade association for cross-border payments has announced a strategic partnership with Next Generation NGPES, marking what both parties describe as a first-of-its-kind collaboration between an industry body and a blockchain-native payment ecosystem. The ambitious goal is to bring digital assets, particularly stablecoins, into the operational core of a traditionally fiat-driven network.
Image: IMTN
Stablecoins move from theory to treasury
For years, stablecoins have been positioned as the answer to cross-border payments inefficiencies, offering fast, cheap, and borderless transactions in a decentralised environment. Now, the International Association of Money Transfer Networks (IAMTN) is putting that narrative into practice.
Through the partnership with Next Generation NGPES, IAMTN will begin accepting payments in stablecoins, signalling that these digital assets are increasingly perceived as functional financial infrastructure instead of speculative tools.
That shift is backed by data. A late-2025 YouGov survey of 4,658 adults across 15 countries found that 39% of existing crypto users and prospective users now receive at least part of their income in stablecoins, while 27% use them for everyday transactions. Lower fees and faster cross-border transfers were cited as the primary drivers behind adoption.
In emerging markets, where many IAMTN members operate, these benefits offer a workaround to currency volatility, limited access to foreign exchange, and expensive remittance corridors. By embracing stablecoins, IAMTN’s move effectively turns the organisation into a live test case for its network of remittance providers, payment institutions, and banks.
Rewiring cross-border payments infrastructure
At the centre of the deal is NGPES’s blockchain-based B2B payment platform, designed to bypass the inefficiencies of correspondent banking. Instead of funds passing through multiple intermediaries, fiat is converted into regulated stablecoins within a secure wallet infrastructure and transferred instantly.
Recipients can access funds in either fiat or stablecoins, combining blockchain speed with traditional financial flexibility. The system also incorporates IBAN-linked custodial wallets and SEPA connectivity, bridging the gap between legacy finance and digital rails.
The efficiency gains are hard to ignore. Survey respondents using stablecoins for cross-border transfers reported potential fee savings of around 40% compared with traditional remittance methods — an impressive figure that underscores why fintechs and institutions alike are paying attention to these crypto tokens.
IAMTN bets on relevance in the DeFi era
For IAMTN, the move is as much strategic as it is technological. Founded to promote safe and efficient payments, the association is now adapting to a landscape where decentralised finance (DeFi) is becoming increasingly mainstream. By embedding stablecoin capabilities into its operations, IAMTN is signalling that industry bodies can actively shape the future of payments.
Nikila Punnoose, Head of Global Network Expansion at IAMTN, described the partnership as a step toward embracing decentralised finance while maintaining alignment with regulatory frameworks.
“This collaboration marks an important step in IAMTN’s journey to explore the implementation of decentralised finance and strengthen our focus on innovation. By partnering with Next Generation NGPES, a regulated and forward-thinking entity, we ensure that we remain aligned with the latest regulatory developments while safeguarding our members and fostering the adoption of transformative financial technologies.”
Growing appetite for hybrid finance
The partnership also taps into a broader trend: rising demand for integrating stablecoins with traditional financial tools.
According to the same YouGov data, 77% of respondents said they would open a stablecoin wallet with their primary bank or fintech provider, while 71% expressed interest in using a debit card linked to stablecoins. On average, users receiving income in stablecoins reported that these assets account for roughly 35% of their annual earnings, highlighting their growing role in everyday financial life.
Balances, while still modest, are also trending upward. Globally, stablecoin holders report average holdings of around $200, rising to approximately $1,000 in high-income markets, suggesting both accessibility and room for growth.
A signal to the wider payments industry
With more than 100 organisations in its network, IAMTN’s endorsement of blockchain-based payment infrastructure could have ripple effects across the global payments ecosystem.
If industry associations begin integrating stablecoins into their own financial operations, it could accelerate adoption among banks, remittance providers, and fintechs still on the sidelines.
Frank Combay, Chief Business Officer of Next Generation NGPES, commented:
“We are proud to partner with an esteemed international association like IAMTN to help drive the adoption of cutting-edge financial solutions. By providing our premium NGPES payment platform, we’re enabling IAMTN to streamline its payment processes and embrace the future of finance. Our blockchain-powered solution transforms cross-border transactions by removing inefficiencies associated with traditional intermediaries, delivering seamless, compliant, and instantaneous payments. As members of IAMTN ourselves, we look forward to setting a new standard for collaboration and innovation within the global payments industry.”
Whether this becomes a turning point or another incremental step remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the infrastructure of global payments is evolving and stablecoins are increasingly part of the blueprint.
