6 takeaways on Stablecoins and Payments at AIBC Asia 2025

AIBC Asia 2025 brought together some of the brightest minds in digital finance this morning, as the panel “Stablecoins and Payments Ecosystem: User Acquisition, Infrastructure and Regulation Hurdles” took to the stage at SMX Manila, the Philippines. The session felt more like a candid roundtable than a formal debate, with moderator Torben Friis (Managing Director, Match Liquidity DMCC) guiding a lively discussion between Jonathan Low (Founder & CEO, Biptap), Nick Hill (CEO, PremierChain) and Wei Zhou (CEO, Coins.ph). Each panellist brought real-world experience and a sense of urgency to the conversation, sharing how stablecoins are reshaping payments, unlocking new ways to reach users, and challenging both businesses and regulators to keep pace.

Jonathan Low, whose company Biptap is pushing boundaries in banking infrastructure, didn’t mince words about the future: he sees stablecoins as “the future currency that we really have to look forward to,” especially for cross-border payments and businesses looking for efficiency. Nick Hill, who has spent decades navigating gaming and payments, described PremierChain’s efforts to connect online and land-based operations, using stablecoins to create seamless, compliant transactions. Wei Zhou, leading Coins.ph—the largest licensed exchange in the Philippines—spoke about launching the country’s first peso-backed stablecoin and building partnerships with global players like Circle and Tether. Their collective track record is impressive, from pioneering blockchain infrastructure to launching local stablecoins and forging key industry partnerships.

Stablecoins in the payments sector

The panel cut through the hype, focusing on what really matters for businesses and users. As Friis steered the conversation, the panellists tackled the practicalities of stablecoin adoption, the nuts and bolts of infrastructure, and the reality of regulation—always with an eye on how these changes are playing out on the ground.

Here’s what stood out from their discussion:

1. Stablecoins are quickly becoming a go-to alternative for cross-border payments, helping merchants sidestep high transaction fees and delays that come with traditional banking—especially in places where credit cards aren’t the norm.
2. Integrating stablecoins into digital wallets is making it easier for users to move between online and offline environments, with real time KYC and AML checks woven in to keep things secure and above board.
3. Infrastructure is evolving fast. Coins.ph, for example, now offers a peso-backed stablecoin and direct access to USDC and USDT, while private blockchains are being built to cut out gas fees and speed up transactions.
4. Regulation is no longer just a hurdle—it’s becoming a catalyst. As one panellist put it, “Once you have proper regulation, you can have players like Apple or Facebook enter the space,” opening the door to more mainstream use
5. Operators, especially in gaming, are exploring self-issued stablecoins to build loyalty and community. But the panel agreed: adoption depends on making things simple and earning user trust.
6. The panelists expect to see more local currency and yield-bearing stablecoins and a mix of permissioned and public ledgers to balance privacy, compliance, and interoperability.

Charting the path forward

This panel set a forward-looking tone for AIBC Asia 2025, offering a clear-eyed look at how stablecoins are moving from niche technology to mainstream payments. As the summit continues, AIBC Asia 2025 is only getting started. Stay connected with AIBC News for exclusive coverage, timely insights, and real time updates on the future of tech.