How Businesses Use Stablecoins for Payments

Overview

Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are increasingly used by businesses as a payment and settlement rail. They combine blockchain-based settlement with a stable reference value, which makes them practical for invoicing, receiving international payments, and confirming payment quickly without relying on traditional banking windows.

This guide explains how businesses use stablecoins for payments in a way that is operationally realistic and compliant. It focuses on commercial workflows—not trading or investment—and is written for Australian businesses that need predictable settlement, clear records, and sensible controls.

What “using stablecoins for payments” means in practice

For most businesses, stablecoin payments are used in one of two ways:

• Receiving payments: clients pay invoices in stablecoins (e.g., USDC), and the business records the receipt and manages settlement timing.
• Making payments: the business pays suppliers, contractors, or partners in stablecoins where the counterparty prefers on-chain settlement.

In both cases, the goal is typically efficient settlement and clear reconciliation. Businesses are not adopting stablecoins to speculate on price movements; they are adopting them to move value reliably within modern payment workflows.

Common business use cases

1) International client payments

Stablecoins are commonly used to receive payments from international clients when traditional cross-border transfers are slow, costly, or operationally inconvenient. Stablecoin settlement can be confirmed on-chain and is not limited by weekends or banking cut-off times.

2) B2B invoicing

For project work, retainer arrangements, and recurring B2B billing, stablecoins allow businesses to invoice in a consistent unit of value and reduce the friction that can come with international bank transfers. Invoicing workflows can remain familiar—invoice issued, payment received, receipt recorded—while the settlement rail changes.

3) Digital services and online businesses

Digital-first businesses, marketplaces, and service providers sometimes accept stablecoins because their customer base is international or already operates in digital asset ecosystems. Stablecoin payments can reduce time-to-confirmation and simplify cross-border collections.

4) Supplier and contractor payments

Some businesses pay overseas suppliers or contractors in stablecoins when that is the counterparty’s preferred method. This can reduce settlement delays and improve predictability, particularly where banking access is limited or where multi-currency banking creates overhead.

End-to-end workflow: receiving stablecoin payments

A typical receiving workflow looks like this:

1. Quote and invoice: the invoice specifies the stablecoin (e.g., USDC), the blockchain network, and the receiving address.
2. Payment is sent: the client submits the payment on-chain.
3. Confirmation: the business verifies confirmation on the blockchain network (often via a dashboard or settlement platform).
4. Record the receipt: the transaction is recorded for reconciliation, accounting, and audit purposes.
5. Settlement timing: the business decides whether to hold stablecoins temporarily or withdraw to AUD via a compliant provider when required.

This workflow is straightforward, but the details matter—particularly around network selection, invoice clarity, and internal controls.

What to include on invoices (to reduce payment errors)

Stablecoin payment errors most commonly occur due to ambiguous instructions. A business invoice should clearly specify:

• Stablecoin type: USDT or USDC (avoid “USD stablecoin” as a generic label)
• Network: the blockchain network the payer must use
• Receiving address: the exact on-chain address (and, if applicable, any required memo/tag)
• Amount: the stablecoin amount to be paid
• Payment window: optional, for operational clarity (e.g., due date / service period)

Most reconciliation issues are preventable by making the stablecoin type and network explicit.

Network selection and operational standardisation

USDT and USDC are available on multiple blockchain networks. Businesses should consider standardising on a single network to reduce operational complexity. Network standardisation helps with:

• Lower error rates: fewer “wrong network” payments
• Simpler reconciliation: consistent explorers, transaction formats, and reporting
• Clear client instructions: less back-and-forth with payers

Settlement time and fees depend on the network and current network conditions. Your finance team should choose an operational standard that can be supported consistently.

Controls: how businesses manage risk

Stablecoins reduce price volatility relative to other digital assets, but businesses still need controls. Good operational controls typically include:

• Approved addresses: maintain a controlled list of receiving and treasury addresses
• Segregation of duties: separate roles for invoice issuance, wallet approvals, and reconciliation
• Access management: limit who can access wallets, keys, and settlement dashboards
• Transaction policies: define approval thresholds for outbound payments
• Documentation: store invoices, transaction IDs, timestamps, and payer details where available

For most businesses, the biggest risks are operational (wrong address/network, poor reconciliation, unclear approvals) rather than price risk.

Compliance considerations for Australian businesses

Stablecoins are legal to use in Australia. Where AML/CTF obligations apply, they typically apply to service providers offering designated services rather than end merchants simply accepting payment for goods or services. Regardless, businesses should maintain clear records and use compliant providers where settlement to AUD is required.

Practically, Australian businesses should focus on:

• Record-keeping: retain transaction records and invoice documentation
• Counterparty clarity: know who is paying you, especially for high-value transactions
• Policies: document payment acceptance policies and internal approvals
• Tax/accounting: record AUD equivalent values at time of receipt (confirm with your advisors)

When businesses withdraw to AUD

Not every business wants to hold stablecoins indefinitely. Many businesses adopt a simple policy:

• Receive in stablecoins to reduce cross-border payment friction
• Withdraw to AUD on a regular cadence (daily/weekly) or when required for operating expenses

This approach keeps the payment rail efficient while aligning treasury operations with Australian dollar cash flow needs.

How to choose between USDT and USDC for payments

USDT and USDC are both widely used. From a business perspective, the choice often depends on counterparty preference and reporting requirements. If your clients consistently pay in one stablecoin, accepting that stablecoin can reduce friction. Otherwise, choose based on internal governance and operational fit.

Where possible, standardise stablecoin type and network to simplify processes.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Accepting multiple networks without controls: increases error risk and reconciliation complexity.
• Vague invoices: not specifying stablecoin type and network causes misdirected payments.
• No internal approvals: outbound stablecoin payments should follow defined authorisation rules.
• Insufficient records: transaction IDs and timestamps should be retained for auditability.

Related reading

• Stablecoins in Australia: What They Are and How Businesses Use Them
• What Is a Stablecoin?
• How Do Stablecoins Work?
• Are Stablecoins Legal in Australia?
• USDT vs USDC: Which Stablecoin Is Better for Business Payments?

FAQ

Do businesses need to accept both USDT and USDC?

Not necessarily. Many businesses choose one stablecoin and one network to reduce operational complexity. If your customer base spans multiple regions, supporting both may reduce friction, but you should standardise processes and controls.

How fast do stablecoin payments settle?

Stablecoin settlement happens on-chain once confirmed by the network. Confirmation times depend on the blockchain network and current network conditions and are typically measured in seconds or minutes.

Do stablecoin payments require a bank account?

Receiving and holding stablecoins does not require a bank account. If you want to withdraw to AUD, a bank account is typically used to receive AUD proceeds through a compliant service provider.

Related guides: crypto invoicing - how to invoice clients in usdt or usdc, the difference between off-ramps and exchanges, and how stablecoin transactions settle works.