IMF Warns Against Stablecoin Risks in Emerging Markets

2 mins mins

Key Points:

The IMF reports on the threat of stablecoins in emerging markets.
Stablecoins may undermine monetary control and financial sovereignty.
The report calls for regulatory measures to address these concerns.

The International Monetary Fund’s recent report warns that stablecoins backed by the US dollar are rapidly spreading in emerging markets, potentially undermining the monetary policies of central banks worldwide.

This development heightens concerns about financial sovereignty and monetary stability, especially in economically vulnerable regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

IMF Highlights Dollar Stablecoins’ Threat to Monetary Control

The IMF’s report, titled “Understanding Stablecoins,” presents an analysis of stablecoins’ rapid adoption in emerging markets. It spotlights dollar-denominated stablecoins’ penetration into these economies, posing threats to central banks’ monetary control.

The report describes how easily stablecoins enter markets via mobile phones and internet connections, becoming instruments of currency substitution and affecting domestic currency use. Amid these developments, the IMF strongly recommends countries to enact legal frameworks against stablecoins to uphold their financial independence. Reactions from financial circles emphasize the urgency of these measures as cross-border stablecoin transactions rapidly rise, particularly in regions experiencing high inflation.

“The novelty is that digital dollar-like instruments on blockchains can now penetrate markets faster and more pervasively via smartphones than traditional cash or bank deposits.” – International Monetary Fund

Historical Parallels in Currency Substitution and Stability

Did you know? The trend of currency substitution bears similarity to historical dollarization episodes where vulnerable economies switch from local to stronger foreign currencies, impacting financial stability.

According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin (BTC) has a current price of $92,245.55, with a market cap of $1.84 trillion. Market dominance stands at 58.64%, despite a 1.26% drop in 24-hour price and a 20.17% decrease in trading volume reaching $57.80 billion. Over 90 days, Bitcoin has seen a 16.78% decline.

bitcoin-daily-chart-4743 — Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 08:01 UTC on December 5, 2025. *Source: CoinMarketCap*

Insights from Coincu research suggest that stablecoin regulatory challenges mirror historical currency control battles. Acknowledging significant crypto market integration, experts warn of potential violations of existing monetary frameworks without proactive regulations and international cooperation.

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is provided as general market commentary and does not constitute investment advice. We encourage you to do your own research before investing.