Walmart and Amazon’s Crypto Gambit—Will Stablecoins Redefine Shopping?

June 13, 2025, Global Business Desk— Walmart and Amazon are quietly exploring their U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins, a move that could siphon billions from traditional banks, The Wall Street Journal reported on June 13, 2025. With Amazon’s $447 billion in global e-commerce sales and Walmart’s $100 billion in 2023, these retail giants aim to harness blockchain for faster, cheaper transactions.

This move is not merely a technological innovation; it has the potential to significantly impact the financial industry. antly impact the financial industry.

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Bypassing Banks, Saving Billions

Retailers suffer greatly from credit card fees, which average 1-3% per transaction. For Walmart and Amazon, which process billions in sales, the fees accumulate to billions annually. Stablecoins, pegged to the dollar and settled instantly on blockchain, could erase these costs and cut settlement delays from days to seconds.

Regulatory Hurdle: The Genius Act Looms

The success of this crypto pivot hinges on the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation in U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, set for a Senate vote on June 17. The bill, backed by the Merchants Payments Coalition and Walmart’s lobbying, promises a clear regulatory framework.

Without it, Amazon’s early-stage talks and Walmart’s consortium ideas could stall. Regulatory clarity could unleash a flood of corporate coins.

Did you know?
In 2019, Walmart patented a blockchain-based digital currency system, hinting at its crypto ambitions years before the stablecoin buzz.

A Threat to Visa and Mastercard’s Empire

Should Walmart and Amazon introduce stablecoins, established payment giants such as Visa and Mastercard may encounter a profound crisis. A merchant-led consortium or brand-specific coins could redirect massive transaction volumes away from card networks.

Banks, already wary after JPMorgan and others explored similar moves, are bracing for a fight. The stakes? The stakes include controlling the future of digital payments.

Shoppers and Markets in the Crosshairs

Stablecoins could mean lower prices for consumers if retailers pass on savings. Yet, risks linger—cybersecurity threats, regulatory missteps, or consumer distrust in corporate crypto could derail adoption.

As Amazon and Walmart eye this bold leap, the question looms: will shoppers embrace a crypto-powered checkout, or will banks claw back control?