MoneyGram CEO discusses the company's integration with Stellar blockchain for cross-border remittances, explaining how stablecoins like USDC enable faster, cheaper transfers while maintaining fiat interoperability. The company is launching a non-custodial MoneyGram wallet and expanding crypto rails across markets.
MoneyGram CEO Alex Holmes details the company's evolution from experimenting with Ripple for FX trading to building a consumer-focused remittance solution on Stellar. The key innovation is Stellar Access, which integrates MoneyGram's traditional APIs with Stellar blockchain APIs, enabling USDC transfers that receivers can convert to local currency on demand. Holmes explains why stablecoins succeeded where volatile assets failed: they eliminate FX volatility that consumers find unpredictable. MoneyGram is launching a non-custodial wallet, has 19 interoperable wallet partners on Stellar, and is expanding cash-in and cash-out capabilities across 170 countries. Currently crypto represents about 2% of MoneyGram's business, but Holmes sees potential for similar growth to the digital transition that took 2% to 50% over a decade. Key challenges include regulatory barriers, consumer education, and the need for real-world utility beyond crypto-native use cases.