Since the launch of USDT in 2014 and USDC in 2018, stablecoins have become the most widely used financial tool in emerging markets, transitioning from a trading instrument to the fastest, most cost-efficient way to send money worldwide. According to a16z crypto’s recent State of Crypto 2025 report, stablecoins processed nearly $46 trillion in total volume over the past year, with adjusted activity reaching $9 trillion and monthly transfers surpassing $1.3 trillion.

Overall, the stablecoin market has grown to over $300 billion, with USDC and USDT forming the backbone of on-chain emerging market finance.

As global stablecoin adoption continues to accelerate, fintechs are in need of a safe, transparent and scalable way to earn yield with digital dollars, backed by high quality financial assets. 

This article explores three real-world use cases in which OpenTrade is enabling the next phase of growth and stablecoin adoption across emerging markets.

1. Embedded, Automatic Yield on Income 
   
   Many fintechs and neobanks, particularly in emerging markets, have user bases with exposure to local currency devaluation and limited banking options or lack of access to stable currencies. OpenTrade enables fintechs and neobanks building on stablecoins to address these local challenges to launch and scale stablecoin yield directly into existing user experiences - allowing their users to protect their income and savings, whilst automatically growing their wealth

   A strong example of this in action is Glim, a Colombian-based financial wellness platform, integrated with OpenTrade to seamlessly deliver automatic 3% APY on USD, allowing employees and contractors to earn returns on their dollar savings. By embedding stablecoin yield directly into payroll and savings flows, Glim has transformed a core part of its product into a financial wellness tool which has helped 100+ companies in Colombia help to protect their employees’ income against detrimental macroeconomic factors.
   
   
   Utility and its importance:

• Instant access to USD or EUR-denominated real-world asset yield

• Users in high-inflation economies unlock access to stable, predictable returns with no additional requirements 

• Improved purchasing power and local economics 

• Fintech and neobanks gain a competitive edge

2. Treasury Management for fintechs and institutions

Beyond everyday retail users, many fintechs in emerging markets face the challenge of managing cash and reserves with little to no yield opportunities available to local companies.

OpenTrade’s treasury management solution allows fintechs like belo to optimise capital efficiency by earning yield on stablecoins. Additionally, fintechs improve in-house economics with better margins and capital further extended to developing customer products.

Utility and its importance:

Fintechs with substantial idle USDT and USDC balances use OpenTrade to turn cash reserves into yield. This is particularly useful in emerging markets where foreign currency deposits are expensive, restricted and treasury operations often face more friction. 

• Enables fintechs to manage capital efficiently by maintaining the liquidity they need for payment flows and customer withdrawals.

• Reduce reliance on expensive banking infrastructure and deploy capital into transparent RWA-backed products.
  
  

  
  3. EUR- and USD-Denominated Yield Product

  In many emerging markets, such as Argentina and Colombia, access to USD-denominated savings accounts and investment opportunities is limited for retail users. Traditional banking tends to be restrictive, difficult to onboard to, and offer low yield. 
  
  

  In recent years, stablecoins have seen increased activity, with yield and USD access becoming core pillars to adoption. USDT and USDC have grown to become the essential dollar alternative for users. Now, fintechs working with OpenTrade are building solutions for everyday users to save and earn on their digital dollars.
  
  

  

  
  
  

  Source: Chainanalysis
  
  In Colombia, Littio is highlighted as an emerging fintech addressing this, giving users the ability to hold USDC and EURC and earn competitive returns across the risk curve - an alternative to local banking services paying less than 0.4% APR on USD accounts by default.
  
  
  

  Utility and its importance:
  
  

  • Platforms like OpenTrade allow anyone with an internet connection to access USD-denominated savings, yield, and investment opportunities previously reserved for institutions.

    
    

  • Stablecoin development in emerging market finance has pivoted from payments and remittances into security, and savings infrastructure for underserved markets.

    
    

  • By providing yield on stablecoin holdings, fintechs help users maximise the potential of funds that would otherwise sit idle in low-interest accounts or not earn yield at all.
    
    

  The common trend across all three use cases is the use of stablecoins to earn, save, and grow in developing markets where traditional banking often fails to deliver.
  
  

  At scale, OpenTrade is building the infrastructure for embedded yield, treasury management, and stablecoin earn products through real-world yield investment instruments, such as money market funds, ETFs, and private credit, combining a time-tested legal framework with the speed and efficiency of blockchain technology. 
  
  

  As numerous sectors in crypto mature and gain adoption among institutions and users worldwide, the OpenTrade ‘Yield-as-a-Service’ stack has become a key driver of financial growth and stability for our clients.