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Exploring the Use of Crypto-Assets for Payments

Author

Listed:
  • Eleni Koutrouli

    (Bank of Greece, 10250 Athens, Greece)

  • Polychronis Manousopoulos

    (Bank of Greece, 10250 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

This paper explores the current use of crypto-assets for payments, focusing mostly on unbacked crypto-assets, while selectively referring to stablecoins. Although some specific characteristics of crypto-assets, such as their price volatility and unclear legal settlement, render them unsuitable for payments, the rapid technological and regulatory developments in the area of crypto-assets-based payments justify monitoring developments in this area. We therefore try to answer the research questions of which/why/how/where/by whom crypto-assets are used for (retail) payments. We analyse and describe a variety of ways in which crypto-assets are used for making payments, focusing on the period from 2019 to 2023 in Europe and worldwide, based on the publicly available statistical data and literature. We identify and exemplify the main use cases, payment methods, DeFi protocols, and payment gateways, and analyse payments with crypto-assets based on location and market participants. In addition, we describe and analyse the integration of crypto-assets into existing commercial payment services. Our work contributes to understanding the shifting domain of crypto-assets-based payments and provides insights into the monitoring of relevant developments via various dimensions that need to keep being explored, with the objective of contributing to the maintenance of the integrity and stability of the financial ecosystem.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleni Koutrouli & Polychronis Manousopoulos, 2025. "Exploring the Use of Crypto-Assets for Payments," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-30, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jfinte:v:4:y:2025:i:2:p:15-:d:1627501
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tobias Adrian & Tommaso Mancini-Griffoli, 2021. "The Rise of Digital Money," Annual Review of Financial Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 13(1), pages 57-77, November.
    2. Umar Kayani & Fakhrul Hasan, 2024. "Unveiling Cryptocurrency Impact on Financial Markets and Traditional Banking Systems: Lessons for Sustainable Blockchain and Interdisciplinary Collaborations," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Anneke Kosse & Marc Glowka & Ilaria Mattei & Tara Rice, 2023. "Will the real stablecoin please stand up?," BIS Papers, Bank for International Settlements, number 141.
    4. Adachi, Mitsu & Da Silva, Pedro Bento Pereira & Born, Alexandra & Cappuccio, Massimo & Czák-Ludwig, Stephanie & Gschossmann, Isabella & Pellicani, Antonella & Philipps, Sarah-Maria & Plooij, Mirjam & , 2022. "Stablecoins’ role in crypto and beyond: functions, risks and policy," Macroprudential Bulletin, European Central Bank, vol. 18.
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