Article 1

The Hidden Barriers Holding Back MSMEs in Global Trade

In an increasingly connected world, one might expect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate freely in global commerce. Yet for millions of businesses across emerging markets, entering the global economy is anything but frictionless. From foreign exchange losses to financing barriers, these companies face a host of structural obstacles that large corporations and developed markets often overlook. Below, we explore four key challenges stalling global growth for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs):

1. Limited Access to USD and FX Volatility

The U.S. dollar remains the dominant currency for global trade—but for many businesses in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, access to dollars is scarce and expensive. Local currencies in these regions often experience high volatility, and with limited options to hedge currency risk, MSMEs can lose 15% to 30% of value in a single transaction due to unfavorable exchange rates or devaluations.

This volatility not only erodes profit margins but also deters foreign suppliers and buyers who prefer to settle in USD or other major currencies. For small businesses, even modest FX shifts can mean the difference between profit and loss.

2. Lack of Trust in Cross-Border Transactions

Establishing trust between global buyers and sellers is a persistent hurdle—especially for first-time or small-scale trade relationships. Many international suppliers require upfront payments before shipping goods, while buyers fear quality issues or delivery delays.
Without trust, flexible payment terms like "payment upon delivery" or installment financing are rarely offered. This forces smaller importers to front large sums of capital and increases the risk of fraud or loss. Letters of credit and escrow accounts exist to mitigate these issues, but they’re often slow, expensive, and hard to access for businesses without established banking relationships.

3. High Cost and Slow Processing of Cross-Border Payments

Traditional international payments through banks are notoriously slow and expensive. Transaction fees can range from 10% to 30% of the transaction value, especially for smaller transfers or payments to “non-priority” countries. Delays of 7 to 14 days are not uncommon due to correspondent banking chains, manual compliance checks, and intermediary clearing systems.

For MSMEs that rely on fast cash flow and lean operations, this delay can stall shipments, delay inventory restocking, or erode customer trust.

4. High Barriers to Trade Financing and Letters of Credit

Accessing working capital or trade financing tools like Letters of Credit (LOC) remains a major challenge for small businesses. Many banks require personal guarantees, extensive documentation, or high collateral thresholds that MSMEs simply can't meet.

Moreover, LOCs are often not accepted by overseas suppliers in regions like China or India, who may be unfamiliar with or distrustful of certain local banks. This leaves MSMEs with limited options for financing inventory or negotiating better terms with suppliers—trapping them in a cash-first trade cycle that stunts growth.

Conclusion

While technology and globalization have opened new doors for many, MSMEs in emerging markets still face disproportionate challenges when participating in global trade. The combination of FX exposure, trust deficits, payment inefficiencies, and inaccessible financing continues to limit their potential—and addressing these barriers is key to unlocking the next wave of inclusive economic growth.

Article 2

What is USDC? A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Dollars

In a world where international payments are still slow and expensive, USDC is quickly becoming a game changer. But what exactly is USDC, and why is it so important for businesses and individuals in emerging markets?

1. What is USDC?

USDC (USD Coin) is a type of stablecoin—a digital currency that’s pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. That means 1 USDC is always worth $1, and it's designed to maintain that value consistently.

USDC is issued by Circle, a U.S.-based company that holds dollar reserves and publishes regular audits to prove that every USDC in circulation is backed by real, regulated assets like cash and U.S. Treasury bills.

It’s built on public blockchains like Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and others—making it easy to send across borders, 24/7, in seconds.

2. Why Does USDC Matter?

USDC offers the benefits of traditional USD—stability, trust, and global acceptance—with the speed and accessibility of digital assets.

Here’s why it’s valuable:

• Fast & low-cost transactions: Send USDC globally in seconds, without paying high bank or remittance fees.

• Borderless access to USD: In many emerging markets, getting actual U.S. dollars is expensive or even impossible. USDC solves that.

• Financial inclusion: You don’t need a bank account—just a digital wallet.

• Price stability: Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, USDC holds its value.

3. Is USDC Safe?

USDC is considered one of the most transparent and regulated stablecoins:

• Backed 100% by U.S. dollar equivalents

• Audited monthly by independent firms

• Issued by a regulated U.S. entity (Circle)

It’s widely used by fintech apps, crypto exchanges, and even major financial institutions.

USDC brings the power of the U.S. dollar into the digital world—making it easier, faster, and cheaper for people and businesses around the globe to hold and move money. Whether you’re paying a supplier, saving for a goal, or protecting your earnings from currency volatility, USDC offers a stable and accessible solution.

Article 3

What is USDY? Yield-Bearing Stablecoins Explained

If you’ve heard of USDC, you’re probably familiar with the idea of digital dollars that hold their value. But what if your digital dollars could also earn passive income while sitting in your wallet? That’s where USDY comes in.

1. What is USDY?

USDY is a tokenized, yield-bearing stablecoin issued by Ondo Finance. Like USDC, it’s pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, but it also earns yield—typically around 5%—from short-term U.S. Treasury securities.

Think of it as a digital savings dollar: stable like USDC, but with built-in interest generation.

2. How Does USDY Work?

When you buy USDY, your funds are pooled and used to buy low-risk, short-term U.S. Treasuries and reverse repurchase agreements (repos)—which generate yield. That yield is then passed on to USDY holders in the form of gradual token appreciation.

Key facts:

• Fully backed by U.S. government securities

• Issued under a U.S. legal structure via Ondo Finance

• Transferable on supported blockchains (currently Ethereum and others)

3. Why Use USDY?

For Individuals & Businesses:

• Earn yield automatically without needing a bank account or investment advisor

• Protect against local inflation or currency depreciation with exposure to U.S. Treasuries

• Hold stable value while growing savings in USD terms

For Financial Platforms:

• Offer users stablecoins with yield potential

• Tap into global DeFi and CeFi liquidity pools with a yield-bearing asset

4.Is USDY Safe?

USDY is structured to be transparent and regulated:

• Fully asset-backed with U.S. Treasuries

• Held in bankruptcy-remote, custodied structures

• Issued by a U.S. financial company (Ondo) with disclosures

It is not risk-free, but it is significantly more conservative than yield from volatile crypto lending platforms.

USDY represents the next evolution of stablecoins: a way to hold U.S. dollar value and earn secure yield at the same time. For people in emerging markets or anyone outside traditional financial systems, USDY offers a powerful tool for saving, earning, and accessing global financial opportunities.