The Impact of Stablecoins on the International Monetary and Financial System

BIS

"Widespread use of stablecoins could have an impact on the international monetary and financial system, particularly for emerging market and developing economies. Using the framework of international currency functions to analyse their effect, we argue that stablecoins are most likely to affect private sector store of value and medium of exchange roles, particularly in economies facing macroeconomic instability. Given that approximately 98% of stablecoins' value is dollar-denominated, they are likely to initially reinforce existing currency hierarchies. We develop three scenarios to explore the range of potential outcomes."