Stablecoins for businesses in Chile: a guide to B2B use cases (2026)
A stablecoin for businesses is a digital asset whose value is pegged to the dollar (1 stablecoin ≈ 1 USD) that lets a company move, hold and receive money globally at the speed of a digital transfer and without the friction of traditional banking. In Chile, stablecoins operate within the framework of the Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521), under the supervision of the CMF (Chile's Financial Market Commission) and with anti-money laundering obligations to the UAF (Financial Analysis Unit). Investment platforms registered with the CMF, such as Skipo Business, let a company access USD Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) directly in pesos.
What will we cover in this guide?
We explain what a stablecoin is and how it differs from a volatile crypto, how companies in Chile use stablecoins in their treasury, how they are used to pay suppliers abroad, what payment gateways and the on/off ramp are, and when it makes sense to operate via OTC. We close with a practical checklist (including when it does not make sense to operate with stablecoins) and an FAQ with the most common questions from treasurers, CFOs and accountants.
What is a stablecoin and why does it matter to a business?
A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to keep a 1:1 peg with a fiat currency, almost always the US dollar. Unlike a volatile asset such as bitcoin (BTC), whose price can move sharply in a single day, a stablecoin aims to always be worth the same. That is the distinction that matters most to a traditional finance reader: it is not a directional bet, but a digital representation of the dollar that moves over blockchain. For a company, that makes it a liquidity and payment tool, not a speculative instrument.
The phenomenon is no longer marginal. As of May 2026, the market capitalization of stablecoins exceeded US$320 billion, according to CoinMarketCap, with dollar-denominated stablecoins accounting for about 99% of supply. What matters for a Chilean company is not the figure but what it shows: stablecoins stopped being a trading tool and became a settlement layer that moves payments at global scale. The two most used are USD Tether (USDT), which dominates in liquidity, and USD Coin (USDC), which is more compliance-focused, a nuance that carries weight when the compliance team evaluates which asset to operate with (DeFiLlama, April 2026).
In short: a stablecoin is a digital dollar with a stable value (1:1) that can be transferred in minutes and 24/7. For a company it is not a speculative investment, but a liquidity and payment tool. On Skipo, businesses operate with USDT and USDC directly in pesos.
How do Chilean companies use stablecoins in their treasury?
A stablecoin treasury means holding part of the company's cash in digital dollars to protect it against depreciation of the peso and to have immediate global liquidity. Instead of opening a dollar account abroad or accepting the timelines of traditional banking, the company keeps its balance in USDT or USDC and converts it into pesos when it needs to.
The companies that adopt this practice most in Chile are those with income in dollars, those that pay suppliers outside the country or those that handle recurring cross-border flows. To be clear: this is liquidity management, not a promise of returns. A digital dollar tracks the behavior of the dollar and does not guarantee returns.
In short: a stablecoin treasury lets a company protect its cash against the peso and have global liquidity, converting it into pesos when it needs to. It makes most sense for companies with income or payments in dollars.
How do you pay suppliers abroad with stablecoins?
Paying a supplier abroad with stablecoins means sending digital dollars directly to their wallet, without going through the chain of correspondent banks that makes a traditional international transfer more expensive and slower. The transaction settles in minutes and is recorded on-chain, which adds traceability to every payment. The comparison with a bank transfer is straightforward:
| Criterion | Payment with stablecoins (USDT, USDC) | International bank transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement speed | Minutes | Business days |
| Availability | 24/7, including weekends and holidays | Bank hours, business days |
| Cost | A fraction of the cost of an international transfer | Sending, receiving and intermediary fees |
| Intermediaries | Direct between the parties | Sending bank, correspondents, receiving bank |
| Traceability | Verifiable on-chain record | Depends on each bank |
In short: paying a supplier abroad with stablecoins is faster and cheaper than a traditional bank transfer, because it eliminates the chain of correspondent banks and is recorded on-chain.
What are payment gateways and the on/off ramp for businesses?
A crypto payment gateway is the infrastructure that lets a company collect payments from its clients in stablecoins, while the on/off ramp is the mechanism that converts pesos into stablecoins (on-ramp) and stablecoins into pesos (off-ramp). Together, they solve the practical problem of getting into and out of the digital dollar without depending on opaque third parties.
For a Chilean company, what is critical is a direct off-ramp to pesos: being able to receive or hold stablecoins and convert them into pesos on the same platform, with the funds credited to its local bank account. It is the difference between a closed-loop operation and having to coordinate several platforms or turn to informal remittance providers, which are slower, more expensive and less traceable. On Skipo, companies do this direct on/off ramp to pesos from their business account and can automate quotes, purchases and withdrawals via API when volume justifies it.
In short: for a company in Chile, the deciding factor is a direct off-ramp to pesos with the funds credited to a local bank, which on Skipo is done from the same business account.
When does it make sense to use OTC to trade stablecoins?
An OTC (Over-The-Counter) trade is a purchase or sale of digital assets executed directly between two parties, without going through the order book of a public exchange. It is used when the amounts are large and the company needs a fixed price without moving the market or being affected by local liquidity.
For high volumes, OTC provides prices quoted in global markets and execution without the caps or slippage that appear when trading large amounts in a local market. Skipo's OTC service operates 24/7, with no minimum or maximum amounts and with support from an account executive when needed.
What should a company check before operating with stablecoins in Chile?
Before operating, a company in Chile should verify that the platform complies with the local regulatory framework and that the operation fits its real needs. A practical checklist:
- Registration under the Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521). The platform must be enrolled with the UAF and registered with the CMF in accordance with the Fintech Law. Skipo is registered in the CMF's Registry of Financial Service Providers, and its authorization to operate is in process under the Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521).
- UAF compliance. The platform must report suspicious transactions to the Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) and apply anti-money laundering controls.
- KYB (Know Your Business). Verification of the company, its representatives and its ultimate beneficial owners. It is a requirement, not an optional formality.
- Traceability for the SII. Crypto-asset service providers in Chile report their users' transactions to the SII, Chile's tax authority (Sworn Statements 1963 and 1964, SII Exempt Resolutions No. 113 and No. 114 of August 2025). Your accounting must be aligned with that traceability.
- Support for USDT and USDC, and a direct off-ramp to pesos. Without a local off-ramp, stablecoins become hard to bring into day-to-day operations.
And one point that generic content tends to leave out: stablecoins are not for every company. An SME that only operates in pesos, with no suppliers abroad and no income in dollars, probably doesn't need them. The tool adds value when there is real international exposure; forcing it without that need adds operational and compliance complexity without a clear benefit.
In short: check registration under the Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521) (UAF and CMF), KYB, traceability for the SII, support for USDT and USDC, and a direct off-ramp to pesos. If your company only operates in pesos and has no international exposure, it probably doesn't need them.
Which stablecoin use cases should your company prioritize?
The most useful way to decide is to prioritize based on your concrete need. There are four main use cases: treasury (protecting cash against the peso and having global liquidity), payments to suppliers abroad (faster and cheaper than an international transfer), gateways and on/off ramp (collecting in stablecoins and converting into pesos) and OTC (trading large volumes at a fixed price). A company with income in dollars starts with treasury; one with suppliers outside the country, with international payments; one that moves high volumes, with OTC.
At Skipo we believe stablecoins will be Chilean companies' gateway to faster, more traceable global financial operations, because they solve a concrete problem (the friction of cross-border banking) without asking the company to become a crypto expert. As an investment platform registered with the CMF, we want that access to happen within the Chilean regulatory framework, not on its margins. If you want to evaluate how stablecoins fit into your operations, you can book a demo with our team or learn about Skipo's OTC service.
This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. Asset prices can go up or down, and all investing involves risk. Before investing, assess your personal financial situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal for a Chilean company to use stablecoins?
Yes. Stablecoins operate in Chile within the framework of the Fintech Law (Law No. 21.521), under the supervision of the CMF and with obligations to the UAF. What matters is operating with a platform enrolled with the UAF and registered with the CMF; platforms without registration leave the company with no local legal framework to turn to.
How are stablecoins accounted for in a company?
They are economic events that must be recorded in the accounts, like any transaction with a valuation. In addition, crypto-asset service providers in Chile report their users' transactions to the SII (Sworn Statements 1963 and 1964), so it is a good idea to keep consistent records. For tax details, see our guide to income tax returns and cryptocurrencies.
What is the difference between USDT and USDC?
Both are pegged 1:1 to the dollar. USDT (Tether) has the largest circulation and liquidity, with a strong presence in emerging markets. USDC (Circle) positions itself as the more compliance-focused option, with periodic reserve attestations. For a company, the choice usually depends on the criteria of its compliance team.
Can a company receive payments from clients in stablecoins?
Yes, and then convert them into pesos through a platform with a local off-ramp. On Skipo, companies can receive USDT and USDC and convert them into pesos from their business account, with the funds credited to their bank account in Chile.
How long does it take to convert stablecoins into pesos on Skipo?
The conversion into pesos and the withdrawal to the bank are processed directly, without the settlement periods of traditional markets. The actual speed depends on each bank when it receives the deposit, but the goal is for the company to have its liquidity without unnecessary waiting.
Is Skipo Business for SMEs or only for large companies?
It works for companies of different sizes. The OTC service operates with no minimum or maximum amounts, so an SME with international exposure can use it just like a large company. What determines whether it makes sense is not the size, but whether there are real payment or treasury needs in dollars.
