Western Union (WU) shares rose 6.5% on Tuesday after the company announced plans to introduce the U.S. Dollar Payment Token (USDPT) on Solana, issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, along with a crypto off-ramp network called the Digital Asset Network.
The move underscores that stablecoins are an opportunity, not a threat, for remittance firms that embrace innovation, according to investment bank William Blair.
The bank’s analysts expect more details at Western Union’s Nov. 6 investor day but said stablecoin remittances could speed settlement, cut pre-funding needs and boost capital efficiency, especially in inflation-prone markets.
The Digital Asset Network, offering cash-out access at 380,000 Western Union agents, shows how remittance firms can monetize stablecoin flows, the analysts said, though fiat on- and off-ramping remains a key hurdle.
Despite progress in digital and consumer services, the report noted sluggish core money transfer growth and potential pressure from a 2026 remittance tax.
The firm said Western Union’s 10% dividend yield and low 5.3x 2026 P/E should support shares but kept its market perform rating on the stock, calling revenue acceleration and digital execution the next tests for management.
WU shares rose 2% to $9.68 in the minutes following the market opening.
Read more: Western Union CEO Views Stablecoins as an Opportunity, Not a Threat: Bloomberg