Western Union ( WU ) shares rose 6.5% on Tuesday after the company announced plans to introduce the US 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 remittances that embrace innovation, according to investment banker William Blair.
The bank’s analysts expect more details at Western Union’s Nov. 6 investor day, but said stablecoin transfers could speed up settlement, cut upfront funding needs and boost capital efficiency, especially in inflation-prone markets.
Digital Asset Network, which offers payout access to 380,000 Western Union agents, shows how remittances can monetize stablecoin flows, the analysts said, although fiat on and off ramping remains a key hurdle.
Despite progress in digital and consumer services, the report noted sluggish growth in core remittances and potential pressure from a 2026 remittance tax.
The firm said Western Union’s 10% dividend and low 5.3x 2026 P/E should support shares, but kept its market perform on the stock, calling revenue acceleration and digital execution the next tests for management.
WU shares rose 2% to $9.68 in the minutes after the market opened.
Read more: Western Union CEO Sees Stablecoins as an Opportunity, Not a Threat: Bloomberg
