Stablecoins 101

When merchants hear "crypto payments," their first thought is often volatility. They picture Bitcoin's wild price swings and worry about their revenue fluctuating daily.

This is where Stablecoins come in. Stablecoins are the bridge between the stability of traditional currency and the efficiency of blockchain technology. They are the reason Gecko Vision can offer instant, chargeback-free payments without exposing your business to crypto market risk.

What is a Stablecoin?

A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency designed to have a stable value, typically pegged to a fiat currency like the US Dollar.

The most widely used and regulated stablecoin is USDC (USD Coin), which is backed by fully reserved assets, meaning for every 1 USDC in circulation, there is $1 held in cash and short-duration U.S. government bonds.

In short: 1 USDC always equals $1 USD.

Why USDC is the Ideal Currency for E-commerce

For e-commerce merchants, USDC solves three critical problems that traditional payment systems create:

1. Eliminating FX Risk in Cross-Border Sales

When you sell internationally, you are constantly exposed to Foreign Exchange (FX) risk. If the Euro weakens against the Dollar between the time of sale and the time of settlement, you lose money.

• The USDC Advantage: Gecko Vision settles all payments instantly in USDC. Since USDC is a global, digital US Dollar, it eliminates the need for costly and volatile currency conversions. You receive the exact dollar value of your sale, regardless of where the customer is located.

2. Enabling Instant Cash Flow

As discussed, traditional bank transfers take days to settle. This is because the money has to move through multiple legacy banking systems.

• The USDC Advantage: USDC moves on the blockchain. Once a transaction is confirmed (which takes seconds), the funds are instantly in your Smart Wallet. This instant settlement capability revolutionizes your cash flow, allowing you to reinvest revenue immediately.

3. A Stable Store of Value

Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, USDC provides the stability your business needs for accounting, payroll, and inventory management.

• The USDC Advantage: You can hold your revenue in USDC in your Smart Wallet, knowing that the value will remain stable. You can then choose to off-ramp to your local bank account whenever you need local currency, or use the USDC directly for global supplier payments.

How Gecko Vision Uses USDC

Gecko Vision handles the entire process seamlessly, so you don't have to worry about the technical details:

Step	Traditional System	Gecko Vision System
Customer Payment	Customer pays in local currency (e.g., Euros).	Customer pays in local currency (e.g., Euros) or crypto.
Conversion	Bank/Processor converts to your local currency, taking a large FX markup.	Gecko Vision instantly converts the payment to USDC at the best market rate.
Settlement	Funds are held for 3-7 days.	Funds are instantly settled to your Smart Wallet in USDC.
Your Control	Limited.	Full Control. You decide when and where to off-ramp your USDC.

Conclusion

Stablecoins like USDC are not a speculative investment; they are a technological innovation that makes global e-commerce finance faster, cheaper, and more stable.

By building on USDC, Gecko Vision ensures that you receive the full, stable value of your international sales instantly, allowing you to focus on growth without the fear of volatility or the drag of slow cash flow.

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Ready to stabilize your cash flow with Digital USD? Learn more about how Gecko Vision uses USDC to eliminate FX risk and deliver instant payouts. Join our waitlist and future-proof your finance.