Mega Bank Tests USDT Cross-Border Transfers, Finds Wire Transfers Cheaper Above NT$200,000

Mega Financial Holding planned a pilot in 2025 using Mega International Commercial Bank’s overseas network to compare the U.S. dollar stablecoin Tether (USDT) with SWIFT wire transfers. The test focused on speed, foreign-exchange costs and transaction fees, helping assess whether stablecoins could replace bank-based cross-border remittances and where a New Taiwan dollar stablecoin might be useful.

Mega Financial Chairman David Tung announced the results on March 10, 2026. The test covered 25 locations across 17 countries, with each location sending 50 USDT back to BitoPro. USDT arrived in about 20 minutes, compared with about two hours for an over-the-counter bank transfer. However, once the amount exceeded NT$200,000, or about $7,000, banks became more cost-effective because of fee caps and room for negotiated pricing.