Gaming Giant Snail Explores Launch of U.S. Dollar‑Backed Stablecoin

Stablecoins, cryptocurrencies that are pegged to traditional fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, have grown into a market worth over $200 billion. Their appeal lies in offering faster, cheaper transactions while retaining price stability, making them attractive for use cases ranging from remittances to retail payments. For Snail, the potential of stablecoins extends directly into the realm of virtual economies and in-game transactions. The company said exploring a proprietary stablecoin could open the door to more seamless, efficient payment systems across its digital platforms.

To evaluate the legal, technical, and financial viability of the initiative, Snail has brought on several advisors. Dr. George Cao, founder and CEO of cryptocurrency exchange AscendEX, has been retained to consult on stablecoin strategy and architecture. His experience with blockchain infrastructure and token economics is expected to guide the project’s early-stage design and feasibility assessments. In parallel, Snail has also hired a nationally ranked law firm specializing in cryptocurrency regulation to navigate U.S. and international compliance requirements. The company has not committed to issuing a token, and no specific timeline has been announced.

Co-CEO Hai Shi described the stablecoin exploration as an “evolution of our innovation-led strategy,” and emphasized its alignment with Snail’s broader mission to lead digital transformation in entertainment. In a prepared statement, Shi said the initiative reflects the company’s goal of “driving innovation across digital entertainment” and could support a future in which blockchain technology underpins core aspects of user engagement, including game asset trading and in-game marketplaces.

Snail’s move comes as major global corporations are also testing the waters on stablecoin adoption. Retail giants such as Amazon and Walmart have reportedly studied the use of dollar-pegged tokens to minimize credit card fees and accelerate payment processing. Meanwhile, regulators in the U.S. are increasingly open to stablecoin innovation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has publicly stated that regulated dollar-backed stablecoins could help reinforce the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency. Analysts at Standard Chartered have projected that the stablecoin market could swell to $2 trillion by 2028, assuming regulatory clarity improves.

While Snail’s gaming-centric use case sets it apart from more traditional stablecoin issuers, it faces many of the same hurdles. Launching a compliant and functional stablecoin requires federal and possibly state-level licensing. The company must also consider how to maintain 1:1 backing with U.S. dollars, implement rigorous audits, and develop robust cybersecurity systems to prevent misuse or theft of user funds. Internally, Snail will need to expand its capacity to oversee complex financial infrastructure, hiring experts in compliance, risk management, and blockchain engineering.

The company emphasized that it remains focused on its core business of game publishing and development, but sees blockchain integration as a logical extension of its future roadmap. In its announcement, Snail reiterated that the project is strictly exploratory and subject to further review. However, if successful, the effort could reshape the monetization of digital assets and create a new model for in-game economies that leverage real-world currency pegs.

Snail’s stablecoin exploration reflects a broader shift in the entertainment and tech sectors, where decentralized financial tools are increasingly seen as key to enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. Should the company proceed with a token launch, it would join a small but growing group of firms bridging the gap between gaming and digital finance.