- Western Union plans to debut USDPT, a USD-pegged stablecoin, on Solana in the first half of 2026.
- The token will be issued by Anchorage Digital Bank and targets faster, lower-cost remittances for 100M+ users.
- A new Digital Asset Network will connect wallet partners with 400,000+ agent locations for cash in/out.
- Move follows clearer U.S. stablecoin rules, as stablecoins go mainstream in payments and remittances.
Western Union is preparing to introduce a U.S. dollar–denominated stablecoin on the Solana blockchain, aiming to make cross‑border transfers quicker and more affordable for its vast customer base. The new asset, called the U.S. Dollar Payment Token (USDPT), is slated for launch in the first half of 2026.
The company says the token will be issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, a federally regulated digital asset institution, and run on Solana’s public, high‑throughput network. Executives describe the initiative as the next chapter in Western Union’s long history of connecting people through technology, with a focus on speed, cost efficiency, and global reach.
What Western Union is launching
USDPT is designed as a USD‑pegged stablecoin intended for everyday payments and remittances. According to the company’s plan, Anchorage Digital Bank will serve as the issuer, bringing federal oversight and specialized crypto risk controls to the token’s lifecycle, including minting and redemptions.
By using a dollar-pegged asset, Western Union aims to mitigate exposure to local currency swings during transfers. The firm says USDPT will be accessible to its more than 100 million customers as part of a broader effort to modernize operations and streamline settlement, especially where traditional correspondent banking can be slow or costly.
Why Solana powers the rails
Western Union selected Solana for its ability to process large volumes of transactions quickly and at low cost. The public chain’s design emphasizes fast finality and scalable throughput—characteristics that are well aligned with high-frequency remittances and micro‑payments across borders.
By anchoring USDPT on Solana, Western Union is prioritizing predictable fees and rapid settlement, two factors that can materially improve the end-user experience for senders and recipients in different countries and time zones.
Roadmap and roll-out
The company targets the first half of 2026 for USDPT’s availability. As part of the roll-out, Western Union plans to bring the token into circulation through selected partners and within its own ecosystem, aligning product readiness with operational controls and compliance reviews that are customary for regulated payment flows.
Management has also indicated that it has been testing blockchain and stablecoin use cases within corporate treasury processes. These internal pilots are meant to assess liquidity, settlement, and reconciliation improvements before wider customer deployment.
Digital Asset Network and cash access
Alongside USDPT, Western Union intends to introduce a Digital Asset Network focused on interoperability with third‑party wallets and exchanges. The goal is to enable customers to move between digital balances and cash, leveraging Western Union’s 400,000+ agent locations worldwide for cash pick-ups and off‑ramps.
This hybrid model—connecting on-chain transfers with a large physical footprint—seeks to bring cash-in/cash-out flexibility to markets where digital rails are growing but cash remains essential to everyday commerce and household remittances.
- Cash access: pick up or convert funds via Western Union agents.
- Wallet interoperability: work with partner apps for easy on/off‑ramps.
- Lower friction: fewer intermediaries can help reduce costs and delays.
- Broader reach: useful in regions with limited banking access.
Regulatory backdrop and risk posture
Company statements point to a U.S. policy environment that is increasingly explicit about stablecoin obligations and oversight. References to a stablecoin-focused law in the U.S. suggest issuers face clearer requirements on backing, disclosures, and risk management—factors Western Union cites as important for scaling a consumer-facing token globally.
Anchorage Digital Bank’s role as issuer adds a layer of federal regulatory supervision. Coupled with a 1:1 dollar peg, the structure is intended to support predictable redemption and help align the product with the compliance standards Western Union applies across its cross-border payment services.
How the move fits the market
Western Union is not alone in exploring stablecoins for payments. Competitors and adjacent players are already active: PayPal’s USD stablecoin issued by Paxos has grown to roughly $2.7 billion since its 2023 debut, while MoneyGram has integrated USDC via Stellar for certain users. Stripe, meanwhile, is building stablecoin payment infrastructure of its own.
What distinguishes Western Union is its combination of a global retail cash network and a large remittance user base. If delivered as planned, USDPT on Solana could compress settlement times and fees at scale, while the Digital Asset Network works to bridge on-chain liquidity with cash where it’s still needed most.
Viewed together, the company’s stablecoin and network strategy reflect a push to modernize remittances with faster settlement and broader access, backed by a regulated issuer and a blockchain built for throughput. If timelines hold and partnerships align, USDPT on Solana could become a high‑visibility test of how traditional remittance rails and crypto infrastructure can operate side by side across global markets.
