PayPal Crypto Strategy Hits a Wall as U.S. Consumers Stick to Old Habits

Stablecoin acceptance is still sluggish in the US, despite rising public awareness and expanding legislative initiatives. According to Chriss, Head of Stablecoin Strategy at PayPal, consumers have not yet clearly seen the advantages of integrating digital currencies into their regular banking habits. Although the introduction of PayPal’s own stablecoin in 2023—one of the first from a major banking institution—marked a significant milestone, widespread usage is still quite low.
Despite U.S. Hesitation, PayPal Pushes Stablecoin Innovation Abroad
According to Chriss, stablecoins can help with persistent financial issues like high costs, lack of transparency, and delays in cross-border transactions. Nonetheless, credit cards and mobile banking apps continue to be widely used by American consumers as payment methods. PayPal is working to improve the accessibility and security of stablecoins for daily use, particularly in underdeveloped markets, by developing tools, infrastructure, and instructional programs.
For stablecoins, cross-border payments have proven to be one of the most useful applications. Stablecoins could provide speedier, less expensive alternatives to remittance services in areas where antiquated banking systems predominate. PayPal sees this industry as a crucial starting point for widespread stablecoin adoption.
GENIUS Act and Crypto Regulation Bill Could Reshape the U.S. Digital Economy
It is anticipated that the newly passed GENIUS Act, which is currently pending a vote in the House of Representatives, will increase corporate and consumer confidence in the digital economy. The act seeks to encourage the prudent expansion of stablecoins and other digital assets while also offering a more transparent regulatory environment.
In parallel, lawmakers are working on a more comprehensive measure of digital asset market structure. The purpose of this bill is to make it clear whether a federal agency—the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)—will be in charge of regulating different digital assets, such as tokens, stablecoins, and cryptocurrencies. While Senator Cynthia Lummis emphasized her displeasure if both laws were not approved before 2026, Senator Tim Scott voiced expectations that this legislation would be passed before the end of September.
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