AI and Stablecoins Are Here to Stay, and It's Time Treasurers Took Them Seriously

Artificial intelligence (AI) and stablecoins have emerged as pivotal topics in discussions surrounding the future of corporate treasury. At a recent Treasurers Roundtable in Washington, both subjects were highlighted in conversations about liquidity, cross-border payments, and operational efficiency. Initially, this pairing may have seemed unusual, but as the discussions progressed, it became clear that AI and stablecoins are addressing different issues, yet both are prompting treasury departments to question long-held assumptions about the fixed nature of their operations and money transactions.

AI is being promoted as a solution for various challenges faced by treasury functions, including the adoption of stablecoins, although its role has also raised concerns about whether it will become a treasurers' ally or adversary. These apprehensions often stem from the false belief that AI is intended to replace treasurers. Instead, its primary value lies in automating repetitive, time-consuming tasks, thereby allowing treasurers to focus more on strategic oversight and decision-making, which technology cannot replicate.

While AI is transforming the way treasury functions operate, stablecoins are also impacting how value is transferred. Although many organizations are still uncertain about incorporating stablecoins into their treasury operations, others are actively exploring their potential. Absa's experience mirrors this trend, with clients primarily interested in stablecoins outside Africa. Although the technology is gaining practical applications globally, Africa's treasury market might still be reaching a comparable stage.

Stablecoin transactions reached $34 trillion globally in 2025, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 43% of the total cryptocurrency transaction volume. This makes stablecoins the leading digital asset in the region. In recent years, over $300 billion in value has been moved through Sub-Saharan Africa via stablecoins, and the region boasts the highest stablecoin ownership rate globally, with 79% of African survey respondents indicating they hold stablecoins.

The continent has also experienced the fastest growth in stablecoin ownership, largely driven by activity in Nigeria and South Africa. This rapid growth indicates that while many treasury functions are still contemplating the implications of stablecoins, the market is already undergoing significant changes.

While there are valid concerns about stablecoins, such as fraud and regulatory compliance, along with practical issues like additional foreign exchange considerations and costs associated with adopting stablecoins, these challenges should not deter treasury departments from embracing this technology. Instead, it is better to leverage the potential cost savings and efficiency improvements that stablecoins can offer.

The conversation surrounding stablecoins and AI ultimately revolves around how treasury functions can enhance their efficiency without sacrificing governance or judgment. The solution likely does not involve resisting either trend but rather recognizing their potential to fundamentally improve treasury operations.