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A term that once belonged to music and television is now being transformed in the realm of finance: streaming. Commonly associated with on-demand content delivery, “streaming” is evolving to encompass a more concrete concept — continuous, immediate, and transparent money movement, enabled by blockchain technology and stablecoins.
Summary
- From music to finance: As Spotify and Netflix replaced buffering with instant streaming, stablecoins are reshaping finance — turning slow, cumbersome payments into real-time settlements.
- The flaws of outdated systems: ACH transfers take several days, wires can be expensive, and even modern services like Venmo rely on antiquated banking infrastructure. We’re still “downloading” our finances.
- Stablecoins in motion: Already facilitating $11T in transactions in 2024, they support global, instantaneous, and definitive settlements — programmable dollars for payroll, remittances, e-commerce, and beyond.
- Transforming payroll: Instead of biweekly checks or costly earned-wage advances, employees could receive payments instantly — even by the second — through blockchain-based stablecoins.
- The new financial paradigm: Like streaming media, streaming money will be essential. Stablecoins offer cost efficiency, speed, and borderless transactions, ready to surpass FedNow and traditional systems.
From buffering songs to instant play: How streaming got its start
In the late 1990s, early internet ventures began exploring the concept of streaming media. Instead of depending on physical media or downloadable files, pioneers like RealNetworks launched RealPlayer, allowing users to play specific songs or videos online. Yet, limitations like dial-up speeds and copyright issues hindered widespread adoption. It wasn’t until broadband infrastructure advanced in the mid-2000s that streaming flourished. Companies like Spotify and Netflix became household names, reflecting significant trends in consumer behavior.
Streaming didn’t just alter content delivery; it transformed value distribution.
Traditionally, much of the financial ecosystem has relied on batch processing and delayed settlement. ACH transfers in the U.S. require 1–3 business days to clear, and even “Same Day ACH” lacks true immediacy. While wire transfers can settle within hours, they’re expensive, manual, and typically limited to business hours. Apps like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle offer streamlined consumer experiences but still depend on outdated banking systems.
In essence, we’ve been streaming content for about twenty years, but in finance, we’re still downloading.
A similar shift now occurs in the financial sector. Just as Spotify and Netflix revolutionized media consumption, stablecoins are set to transform money movement — not in the distant future, but right now.
Banks and regulators must adapt to this transformation or face obsolescence. Eliminating delays and costly intermediaries isn’t merely an upgrade; it’s the new financial standard. Programmable digital dollars operate intelligently, moving seamlessly based on customizable commands. This capability will become increasingly vital as AI agents automate back-office workflows. Stablecoins may become the predominant currency of AI in the future.
Stablecoins and the streaming of payroll
Stablecoins are digital assets, typically pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, existing on public blockchains. Unlike traditional digital currencies, they can flow globally, settle instantly, and provide finality. According to CoinMetrics, nearly $11 trillion in stablecoin transactions took place on public blockchains in 2024.
Now, consider payroll, a critical aspect of money movement. In the U.S., employees are generally paid biweekly — an outdated practice rooted in long-standing processes and regulations. In practice, these workers are providing interest-free loans to their employers through unpaid labor.
Some companies bridge this gap with Earned Wage Access (EWA) programs, allowing workers to access already earned wages — but at a cost. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, some EWA providers charge $1–$6 per advance, which can quickly add up for low-wage employees.
What if workers received payments in real time — even second by second?
With programmable, blockchain-based stablecoins, this is not just a possibility but a reality. This concept is currently being embraced by decentralized autonomous organizations, remote-first companies, and global teams requiring quicker, borderless payroll solutions. It heralds a significant change in the employer/employee dynamic.
The coming Renaissance in finance
Similar to how streaming altered the media landscape irrevocably, blockchain-based payments — especially stablecoins — are set to redefine money transfer. We are entering a phase where financial services operate continuously, capital is liquid and programmable, and traditional 9-to-5 settlement windows cease to shape our economic interactions.
The emergence of stablecoins aligns with growing dissatisfaction towards traditional financial systems. The Real-Time Payments network by The Clearing House and the FedNow initiative by the Federal Reserve mark positive steps, yet both remain U.S.-centric, permissioned, and require banking partnerships. In contrast, stablecoins are global and accessible to anyone with internet access. They are open, allowing developers and businesses to innovate without special permissions, offering speedy, definitive settlements with no chargeback risks, and significantly minimizing fees from intermediaries.
By mid-2025, stablecoins such as USD Coin (USDC), Tether (USDT), and emerging native-chain tokens will power a diverse range of financial products — from remittances to e-commerce to capital markets.
The concept of streaming money isn’t theoretical anymore. It’s happening now — and soon it will be standard practice.
Just as waiting three days to hear a song or watch a show is now unacceptable, soon waiting three days to receive payment, settle a trade, or send money to family will feel obsolete. Streaming reshaped media. Streaming is now reshaping finance. And stablecoins are the driving force behind this transformation.
