Global payments giant Western Union (NYSE: WU) has announced plans to issue a new U.S. dollar backed stablecoin, the USDT, on the Solana blockchain in the first half of 2026. The move highlights Western Union’s push to modernize cross-border payments by merging its global network with blockchain based settlement.
Western Union will issue USDPT through regulated partner Anchorage Digital, utilizing Solana’s high-throughput architecture to speed up settlements and reduce fees. With over 100 million customers and operations in more than 200 countries and territories, the firm already has that infrastructure for large-scale remittances. This set the USDPT apart from many other stablecoins still building user adoption and network reach.
Western Union’s press release states that USDPT will be available via partner exchanges and wallets, allowing users to send, receive, invest, and hold the token globally. The company’s newly announced “Digital Asset Network” will link its 4000+ retail locations and digital channels with blockchain rails. While the exact launch date had not been disclosed, early 2026 is the target timeframe.
Stablecoins already play a growing role in facilitating cross-border and peer-to-peer payments. By issuing its own token, Western Union transforms itself from a remittance provider to a blockchain-native settlement layer.
At the same time, Solana’s choice emphasizes efficiency: low fees and near-instant transaction finality make it an excellent choice for global payments flows. The strategic shift could influence how traditional financial companies implement digital asset infrastructures.
Major areas to track include how Western Union will handle token-to-fiat conversions in local markets, regulatory compliance across jurisdictions, and whether USDPT remains open or becomes siloed within Western Union’s ecosystem. These aspects will determine how disruptive the stablecoin becomes in practice.
Stay tuned with Chainbull’s Crypto News for the latest updates and deeper insights about stablecoins.
