In recent years, stablecoins have moved beyond cryptocurrency trading and are now being used for cross-border payments, corporate settlements, and financial services, prompting more banks and financial institutions to explore blockchain technology. At Stablecoin Conference 2026, Bitso—a leading Latin American digital financial services provider—introduced the concept of Hybrid Finance, suggesting that the future financial system will no longer separate traditional finance (TradFi) from blockchain finance. Instead, both sectors will operate together through shared infrastructure. This view underscores the growing importance of stablecoins as a fundamental component of modern financial infrastructure.
What Is Hybrid Finance?
(Source: Bitso)
Hybrid Finance is a financial development framework introduced by Bitso, centered on the idea that traditional financial institutions and blockchain-native companies can jointly deliver financial services through a unified infrastructure. Historically, banks, payment providers, and crypto platforms operated using distinct systems and technical architectures. Hybrid Finance aims to leverage blockchain and stablecoins to create a shared network that serves diverse financial participants, improving capital flow efficiency. In short, financial services will no longer be divided between traditional finance and digital assets, but will instead be built by a range of companies within a more integrated financial ecosystem.
Why Are Stablecoins Central to Hybrid Finance?
Bitso asserts that stablecoins have shifted from being a trading medium in crypto markets to becoming a vital tool for cross-border payments. According to the second edition of Bitso’s "Stablecoin Landscape in Latin America" report, stablecoin payment volume processed by Bitso Business rose by 81% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, demonstrating sustained growth in corporate demand for stablecoin payments. The use of stablecoins in Latin America is also evolving, with stablecoins overtaking Bitcoin for the first time as the most popular digital asset category. This signals a shift from investment-driven usage to practical applications in payments and capital movement.
Why Are Financial Institutions Adopting Blockchain Technology?
Bitso’s report reveals that over 60% of new institutional clients this year are banks and financial institutions, surpassing the number of crypto-native and traditional companies. This trend shows that financial institutions increasingly view blockchain not just as a new payment method, but as a core part of their financial infrastructure. As institutional adoption rises, blockchain is transitioning from an alternative solution to a critical technology in modern financial services.
How Is Bitso Expanding Cross-Border Payment Services?
In addition to introducing the Hybrid Finance concept, Bitso Business announced the expansion of its payment infrastructure into Asia, aiming to establish new payment corridors between Asia and Latin America. This move responds to the growing demand among financial institutions and enterprises for efficient cross-border settlement solutions.
The platform integrates several payment capabilities, including:
- Local payment rails
- Foreign exchange services
- On-chain liquidity infrastructure
These integrations are designed to provide enterprises with a cross-border payment platform that supports both Asian and Latin American markets.
Bitso Emphasizes Compliance and Trust
As Bitso’s service footprint expands, the company highlights that compliance and trust remain paramount for financial institutions. Bitso has worked closely with regulators worldwide to build robust compliance frameworks, enabling secure and regulatory-compliant liquidity services across markets and supporting enterprises in international capital management.
Bitso Launches New Accelerator Program
Beyond payment infrastructure development, Bitso has announced a new cohort of startups selected for The Push 2026 global accelerator program. These companies span multiple stablecoin application areas, including tokenized sovereign bonds, institutional-grade digital asset connectivity solutions, stablecoin payment networks, and cross-border settlement solutions. This demonstrates the ongoing expansion of stablecoin use cases.
Stablecoin Applications Are Growing Rapidly
Stablecoins were once mainly used for cryptocurrency trading, but their scope now extends to broader financial scenarios. Financial institutions are deploying stablecoins for treasury management, FX trading, international remittances, and cross-border settlements. As more enterprises adopt these technologies, stablecoins are becoming an integral part of global financial infrastructure.
Summary
Bitso’s Hybrid Finance concept reflects a trend toward greater integration in the financial industry. With stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure, traditional financial institutions and digital asset companies are moving away from siloed operations and are building shared payment and settlement networks. Growth in stablecoin payment volumes, increased institutional adoption, expansion of cross-border payments between Asia and Latin America, and the ongoing development of the startup ecosystem all indicate that stablecoin applications are extending beyond crypto markets into mainstream financial services. Bitso believes future financial innovation will be built on increasingly interconnected and integrated infrastructure, with stablecoins as a key technology driving this transformation.
FAQ
Q1: What is Hybrid Finance?
Hybrid Finance is a financial concept introduced by Bitso, describing how traditional financial institutions and blockchain companies use shared infrastructure—enabled by technologies like stablecoins—to deliver more integrated financial services.
Q2: What role do stablecoins play in Hybrid Finance?
Stablecoins are used for cross-border payments, international settlements, and capital flows, improving transaction efficiency. They are considered a foundational technology connecting traditional finance with the blockchain ecosystem.
Q3: Why is Bitso expanding into the Asian market?
Bitso’s expansion into Asia aims to establish cross-border payment corridors between Asia and Latin America, meeting the demand from enterprises and financial institutions for fast, efficient international settlement services.
