The new frontiers of corporate investment: from green bonds to stablecoins

Companies are no longer content to leave cash idle in bank accounts. Faced with inflation, investor pressure, and societal expectations, they are looking to diversify their investments. Traditional tools like term deposits or bonds are giving way to new approaches: green bonds, ESG-focused products, and even digital assets such as stablecoins.

Corporate investment is entering a new era, where yield, sustainability, and innovation converge.

Green bonds: the first step toward responsible investment

Green bonds have become a preferred tool for companies and institutional investors. They finance projects linked to energy transition, sustainable infrastructure, or carbon reduction.

Why it’s attractive for companies:

• Enhances brand image through concrete commitment.
• Allows excess cash to be invested in ESG-aligned assets.
• Offers returns comparable to traditional bonds, with measurable impact.

This asset class has become mainstream: many corporations and even some SMEs allocate part of their treasury to green bonds to combine yield with responsibility.

The rise of responsible and ESG investing

Beyond green bonds, the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) approach is becoming a standard. Finance teams no longer focus only on financial performance: they also want to ensure their investments contribute positively to society and governance.

Examples of ESG placements:

• Social bonds: financing education, healthcare, or inclusion projects.
• Diversified ESG funds: grouping different asset classes under responsible investment criteria.
• Hybrid products: combining bonds, equities, and impact projects.

This attracts companies seeking to strengthen CSR policies and meet the expectations of shareholders, clients, and employees.

Digital assets: a new building block in corporate strategy

In recent years, digital assets have emerged as a credible alternative. Unlike speculative cryptocurrencies, stablecoins now provide concrete utility for corporate treasury.

Key advantages:

• Stability: pegged to the euro or dollar, limiting volatility.
• Attractive yield: via savings pools or regulated DeFi solutions, yields can reach 5–7% annually.
• Instant liquidity: rapid conversion back to euros, useful for short-term treasury needs.
• Innovation and image: integrating digital assets signals modernity and forward-thinking.

More and more companies allocate a small portion (5–10%) of their treasury to such products, complementing traditional investments. Properly managed, this diversification helps protect against inflation and generate steady passive income.

Conclusion

Corporate investment is evolving. Companies now aim not only to secure treasury but also to give meaning to their placements and optimize yield.

From green bonds to ESG funds, and even stablecoins, a new generation of solutions is opening up to finance teams. Companies adopting these early will boost their competitiveness and attractiveness tomorrow.

Frequently asked 🤔

What are green bonds and why are they attractive for companies?

They are bonds issued to finance ecological or sustainable projects. Companies choose them for yields comparable to regular bonds while improving their responsible image.

What’s the difference between green bonds and traditional bonds?

Traditional bonds finance any type of project. Green bonds, in contrast, are strictly dedicated to sustainable projects and must meet transparency criteria.

Are digital assets really suitable for companies?

Yes ✅, especially stablecoins. Unlike volatile cryptos, they are pegged to fiat currencies and can generate attractive yields, making them suitable for treasury diversification.

What portion of treasury should be allocated to these alternatives?

Most experts suggest a cautious allocation: 5–15% for digital assets. Green bonds or ESG products can take a larger share depending on CSR strategy.

How to integrate these investments into corporate strategy?

Define a clear policy: security (bank), yield (bonds/ESG), innovation (digital assets). The best approach is to distribute treasury across multiple asset classes to balance risk and performance.