Stablecoin Use Exploded in 2025, With Transactions Hitting $33 Trillion
Stablecoins had a breakout year in 2025. Global transaction value surged to $33 trillion, marking a 72% jump from the previous year, according to Bloomberg, citing data from Artemis Analytics.
Leading the charge was USDC, Circle’s dollar-backed stablecoin, which processed $18.3 trillion in transactions, making it the most-used stablecoin by transaction volume. Tether’s USDT, while still the largest by market capitalization at $187 billion, handled $13.3 trillion in transfers.
Regulation Helped Spark the Boom
The surge in stablecoin activity followed the passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025 under the Trump administration. Short for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins, the law marked the first comprehensive federal framework for payment stablecoins in the United States.
Tether co-creator Reeve Collins previously told Cryptonews that regulations like GENIUS are key to unlocking global adoption.
“The reason why that’s so powerful—and why large financial institutions get involved—is because it’s lucrative,” Collins said.
Why DeFi Traders Prefer USDC
According to Anthony Yim, co-founder of Artemis, USDC has become the stablecoin of choice in decentralized finance. Traders often rely on it to move in and out of positions quickly, thanks to its liquidity and perceived regulatory clarity.
Yim also pointed to an unstable geopolitical environment as a major driver behind the growing demand for digital dollars. In countries grappling with inflation, USD-pegged stablecoins offer an accessible way to preserve value.
That said, USDT still dominates everyday use. Tether is more commonly held for payments and business transactions, with many users choosing to park value in wallets rather than actively moving it around.
What’s Next: $56 Trillion by 2030?
Looking ahead, Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that total stablecoin payment flows could reach $56 trillion by 2030. Not everyone is comfortable with that trajectory. Regulators, including the International Monetary Fund, have warned that rapid stablecoin growth could disrupt traditional finance.
Still, the momentum shows little sign of slowing. Artemis data shows that $11 trillion in transactions occurred in Q4 2025 alone, up from $8.8 trillion in Q3.
Meanwhile, Asia is carving out its own approach to digital assets, challenging Western dominance with pragmatic and sustainable regulation.
“Unquestionably, stablecoins are a game-changer,” said Chengyi Ong, Head of Public Policy for APAC at Chainalysis.
Big Banks and Tech Giants Are Taking Notice
The rise of stablecoins—combined with clearer regulation under the GENIUS Act—has caught the attention of major players. Banks and tech giants, including Standard Chartered and Amazon, are reportedly exploring the launch of their own stablecoins.
