Fiat, Bitcoin, Stablecoins: Industry Insiders on the Future of Payments at iFX 2026

This article is a thought-leadership recap of an iFX Expo 2026 panel on the future of payments, not a price-moving crypto market event. The discussion argues that fiat remains effective for domestic payments but is constrained in cross-border use by correspondent banking fees, FX spreads, and settlement delays. Bitcoin is characterized as a store of value rather than a practical settlement rail, with panelists saying it accounts for less than 0.5% of transaction flow in relevant payment businesses. Stablecoins, especially USDT and increasingly USDC in Europe, are presented as the real operational solution for bulk treasury transfers and cross-border B2B settlement. The article’s market significance lies in reinforcing the growing institutional view that stablecoins are moving from concept to production infrastructure, while Bitcoin’s payments narrative continues to fade.