Venture capital firm a16z suggests that the true potential of stablecoins lies not in disrupting existing payment systems but in filling gaps where traditional financial services fall short. The firm points out that while credit cards offer consumer protections and rewards, such as cashback and points, stablecoins currently lack these benefits, making them less attractive for everyday transactions. With 82% of Americans holding rewards credit cards and 18 billion cards in circulation globally, consumers are unlikely to abandon these advantages for a payment method that offers no perks and is irreversible. Instead, a16z sees stablecoin opportunities in new markets and merchant categories that have yet to emerge.