TL;DR
We’re exploring a USD-backed ARB stablecoin and a decentralized micro-escrow system on Arbitrum backed by real USD FIAT reserves, designed to solve two critical problems faced by international and local traders in the Global South:
- Stable, low-cost cross-border payments for businesses and freelancers reliant on international imports and transactions.
- Affordable and secure escrow for local informal traders in underserved economies.
We’re seeking feedback on the system design, fiat on/off-ramp strategies, and decentralized dispute resolution mechanisms.
Problem 1: Currency Volatility Threatens International Trade
In markets like Argentina, Nigeria, and other emerging economies, small businesses and freelancers face constant challenges due to currency devaluation:
- Rapid currency loss (e.g., the Argentine peso lost 40% of its value against the USD in 2024, while Nigeria’s Naira has lost over 50% since 2023, Bloomberg).
- Unpredictable exchange rates when trading internationally result in recurrent losses, eroding both capital and profit margins.
- High fees for receiving international payments — bank transfers and remittances charge 5–10% (World Bank, 2024).
These barriers limit SMEs and freelancers from competing globally, costing millions in lost revenue and increasing the economic problems faced in these regions.
Solution: ARB USD-Pegged Stablecoin for Secure Cross-Border Payments
We’re exploring a USD-backed ARB stablecoin built on Arbitrum, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and backed by fiat reserves held in a regulated institution (e.g., Paxos). This stablecoin would enable reliable, low-cost cross-border payments for international traders, freelancers, and small businesses in volatile economies.
How It Works
- Fiat On/Off-Ramps: Traders deposit or receive payments in their local currency (e.g., Naira, Peso) via banks or exchanges. These funds are converted into the ARB USD-pegged stablecoin, which is then held in their digital wallets.
- Transaction Flexibility: At any point, users can send or receive payments using the stablecoin. When needed, they can instantly convert it back to local currency, with minimal fees and fast settlement times.
Benefits for International Traders
- Protection from devaluation: Traders can keep the value of their earnings intact without worrying about currency fluctuations.
- Lower transaction costs: With Arbitrum’s low transaction fees (typically $0.01 to $0.10), traders can keep more of their earnings, unlike traditional methods like PayPal or Western Union, which charge up to 5–10% per transaction.
- Faster cross-border payments: Instant or sub-second finality on transactions, enabling smoother and faster global commerce.
Problem 2: Informal Traders Lack Secure Payment Systems
Informal economies represent over 50% of GDP in many developing countries, yet these traders are vulnerable:
- Risk of fraud: Without secure payment systems, informal traders face the constant threat of scams and non-payment.
- Lack of access to secure financial tools: The majority of these traders are unbanked and lack affordable escrow or dispute resolution systems.
- Currency volatility: As with international traders, informal traders suffer from unpredictable local currency fluctuations.
These barriers prevent millions from accessing fair, secure, and stable commerce, stunting economic growth in these regions.
Solution: Decentralized Micro-Escrow with ARB USD-Pegged Stablecoin
We’re also exploring a decentralized micro-escrow system built on Arbitrum that uses the ARB USD-pegged stablecoin to provide secure, low-cost transactions for local informal traders.
How It Works
- A smart contract-based escrow locks funds in the ARB USD-pegged stablecoin until both parties confirm the transaction (e.g., delivery of goods).
- On-chain dispute resolution and peer review mechanisms ensure fair and transparent settlements.
- Arbitrum’s low-cost infrastructure allows micro-transactions that were previously unfeasible on other networks.
Benefits for Informal Traders
- Escrow protection: Traders don’t risk losing money due to fraud or non-delivery, as funds are only released when both parties confirm the trade.
- Stable value: By using the ARB USD-pegged stablecoin, informal traders avoid losing value due to currency depreciation.
- Access to financial tools: The decentralized escrow system offers these traders a simple, accessible way to conduct secure transactions.
Benefits & Value Proposition
1. Currency Volatility Protection
Traders are shielded from the dramatic swings of local currencies. For example, Nigeria’s Naira lost over 50% of its value against the USD since 2023, and Argentina’s peso lost 40% in 2024, making a USD-backed stablecoin a reliable alternative for businesses to protect their earnings.
2. Cost-Effective Cross-Border Payments
Freelancers and small businesses can receive international payments without hefty remittance fees, typically ranging from 5–10% with services like Western Union or PayPal. Arbitrum’s low fees (typically $0.01–$0.10) make cross-border transactions a much better option.
3. Arbitrum’s Speed & Cost Efficiency
- Arbitrum’s low fees (just $0.01 to $0.10) make it 10–100x cheaper than Ethereum’s mainnet, ensuring that the cost of transferring funds stays minimal.
- The sub-second finality enables fast transactions, even for micro-payments, which is essential for the speed demands of global commerce.
4. Decentralized Escrow
For informal traders, the micro-escrow system reduces reliance on centralized intermediaries, lowering the fraud risk in environments where trust is often a scarce commodity. With on-chain arbitration, disputes are resolved transparently and fairly, which increases trust.
Web Source Insights
Stablecoin Adoption in Emerging Markets
- A 2024 Chainalysis report revealed that 60% of crypto transactions in Africa are conducted with stablecoins, primarily due to their use as inflation hedges and for remittance purposes. However, many local projects struggle with trust and liquidity.
- Argentina saw 20% of small businesses accept stablecoins for payments in 2024, driven by the peso’s 40% inflation. Traders are eager for more stable payment options.
International Traders
- Kenyan e-commerce seller @Trade254 (Feb 2025) praised USDC for fast payments but criticized high conversion fees (3%) to the local currency. A new stablecoin with lower fees could capture this demand.
- SMEs in Argentina: Around 30% of SMEs use stablecoins for international payments, fueled by peso volatility and the high cost of traditional banking.
Why International Traders Are the Initial Target
- Tech-Savvy and Motivated: Traders already use stablecoins and are motivated by cost savings and the need to stay competitive in global markets.
- Lower Barriers to Adoption: International traders face fewer tech challenges than informal traders and have easier access to crypto infrastructure.
- Scalable Network Effects: Traders’ networks (e.g., supply chains, e-commerce platforms) naturally scale faster, increasing adoption and growth.
Rollout Roadmap
Phase 1: Pilot & Compliance (0–2 months)
- Partner with a fiat-backing institution (bank, fintech, or stable vault)
- Deploy smart contract version on Arbitrum
- Target small user test group in Argentina and Nigeria
- Ensure compliance in at least one target country
Phase 2: MVP Release (3–5 months)
- Launch web/mobile app for sending/receiving stablecoin
- Enable escrow with instant off-ramp to local currencies
- Begin onboarding merchants and small service workers
Phase 3: Expansion & Integrations (6+ months)
- Add support for more countries (Turkey, Lebanon, Venezuela)
- Collaborate with remittance and payroll platforms
- Open API for marketplaces and gig platforms
Questions
- What are the most viable fiat on/off-ramp models in volatile economies?
- Which Arbitrum-based projects could we collaborate with?
Final Thought
Emerging markets need practical DeFi tools. A USD-backed stablecoin system combined with decentralized micro-escrow on Arbitrum could become a core financial layer for the Global South.
Slide Deck: arbstablecoin.vercel.app