Interview with Serge Kuznetsov, Co-Founder at INXY Payments, an EU- and Canadian-authorized fintech processing $2B+ annually. INXY enables businesses to integrate cryptocurrency payments, manage mass payouts, and handle crypto-fiat conversions seamlessly.
- You’ve said that in 2026 stablecoin payments could become mainstream for non-crypto businesses. Why is the market ready for this now?
I see this as a combination of factors. First, regulatory changes – for example, the adoption of MiCA in Europe and the GENIUS Act in the US – became actively discussed and implemented over the past year, moving the topic out of the grey zone into a clear legal framework.
Second, in 2025 we saw a significant inflow of institutional players and major financial market participants into the crypto space. BTC and ETH ETFs, alongside large allocations from major players, sent a clear signal that crypto is “trust-worthy” and can be relied on. As a result, many businesses stopped being afraid and started testing stablecoin payments in pilot formats.
Then the first users experienced the benefits – and that’s when real adoption begins.
- What is the biggest obstacle today preventing businesses from moving beyond pilots and launching stablecoin payments at scale? What infrastructure issues need to be addressed first?
The main barrier is still fear and lack of trust. A large share of companies worldwide continue to see stablecoin payments as risky.
At the same time, classic pilots where you test something lightly and then launch are often difficult in financial services, because any real implementation still requires integration and development time.
Some companies test stablecoin payments without APIs, and that does happen. But in most cases, those who try it eventually continue using the solution and scale it.
- Which industries, in your experience, will be the first to move from crypto experiments to stable, long-term use of stablecoin payments – and why?
Globally, logistics and procurement stand to benefit the most, because they rely heavily on cross-border payments. Traditional international transfers are expensive and can take a week or more, fees can reach 5-7%, and companies must go through extensive banking checks.
Stablecoins, by contrast, are cheaper, more predictable, and settle instantly.
From our experience, affiliate networks will also be among the first to fully adopt stablecoins. They often have tens of thousands of recipients and hundreds of advertisers. In traditional banking, processing such a high volume of payouts on a weekly basis is nearly impossible – banks simply won’t allow it.
- Can you share real examples where stablecoin payments already deliver clear business value – for example through fees, FX savings, or refunds?
The most obvious example is cross-border B2B payments. Imagine a buyer in the US purchasing goods from a supplier in China. Traditional transfers are slow and expensive, while stablecoin transfers are instant and several times cheaper. For a transaction of around $1 million, savings can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Based on our experience, stablecoin payments already deliver tangible value in freelance platforms, affiliate payouts, e-commerce, and fintech. We also see similar use cases with retail chains and telecom operators, where there is both practical motivation and an image-building interest in being seen as crypto-friendly.
- What signals will tell you that stablecoins have truly entered mass adoption? Is it transaction volume, merchant count, user experience – or something else?
In my view, the clearest adoption signal will be when stablecoin payments become routine for small businesses and everyday retail – when local shops, service providers, and points of sale accept stablecoins as naturally as cards or QR payments. This is the most native marker of mass adoption: when even the most ordinary, offline merchants are ready to take stablecoins for regular purchases.
- Today there is a lot of discussion around AI systems that can independently execute certain financial operations. Which tasks can already be safely automated without constant human involvement?
I’m a strong believer in AI, and I see enormous potential in combining AI with stablecoins. The logic is already clear: agents can book restaurants, pay bills, conduct transactions, and make advance payments based on user instructions. The user then confirms actions with a simple “yes,” “OK,” or a swipe.
The key element here is customizable security policies. For example, food expenses up to $100 can be processed automatically; if the amount is higher or spending patterns look unusual, the agent asks for confirmation or blocks the funds.
- When it comes to red flags, what could slow down the development of autonomous AI-driven transactions the most — regulation, security, user trust, or implementation costs? How exactly?
I already believe there is nothing that can stop this. This is a wave that has already crossed the dam. There will be attempts to regulate and slow things down from regulators, banks, and other institutions. But we’re past the point of no return. Many projects will emerge at the intersection of AI, crypto, and stablecoins. Implementation costs will keep falling, making adoption easier.
At first, it will look like the “Wild West” – innovation without clear regulation, along with risks and opportunities. And the early adopters will be the ones who get the biggest rewards.
