CZ: Stablecoins Outpace CBDCs Amid Global Regulatory Shifts

At the WebX2025 event in Tokyo, Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao said stablecoins have outpaced central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) in adoption, growth and innovation. He highlighted global regulatory frameworks like Hong Kong’s Stablecoin Ordinance and the U.S. GENIUS Act, noting that stablecoins backed by real assets offer faster speeds, lower fees and broader use cases. Standard Chartered forecasts the stablecoin market expanding from $260 billion to $2 trillion, while many CBDC trials—including the Bahamas’ Sand Dollar, Nigeria’s eNaira and Ghana’s e-Cedi—see limited uptake and high costs. Over ten countries have paused or scrapped CBDC projects, and major central banks have delayed digital pound and euro plans. Traders should watch stablecoin regulation and adoption trends for insights into liquidity and payment innovations.