Stablecoins' transaction volume may reach 56 trillion by 2030, transforming from crypto tools to the underlying infrastructure of global payments

Bloomberg’s latest forecast sparks industry attention: stablecoin payment transaction volume is expected to reach $56.6 trillion by 2030, which requires maintaining an approximate 81% annual compound growth rate based on the $2.9 trillion in 2025. This is not just a numerical leap but also signifies that stablecoins are evolving from specialized tools in crypto finance to core infrastructure of the global payment system.

The Double Drivers Behind Growth

The explosive growth in stablecoin transaction volume does not come out of nowhere. According to the latest data, the global stablecoin trading volume in 2025 will increase by 81% year-over-year, reaching a record high of $33 trillion. Bloomberg points out that this rapid growth is mainly driven by two forces:

• Continuous institutional adoption: An increasing number of traditional financial institutions, corporations, and payment platforms are beginning to use stablecoins for cross-border settlements and fund management
• Rigid demand in emerging markets: High inflation and currency devaluation in certain regions create a strong demand for USD stablecoins, making them an important means of asset preservation

The combined effect of these two forces is pushing stablecoins from niche crypto tools into mainstream payment scenarios.

Differentiated Competition Between USDT and USDC

The stablecoin market is not monolithic. Data shows that USDT and USDC, the two major mainstream stablecoins, have formed a clear differentiation:

It is noteworthy that although USDC’s transaction volume in 2025 surpasses USDT for the first time, USDT still maintains an absolute advantage in market cap. This reflects the different roles these stablecoins play in various ecosystems: USDT is more used for traditional payments and value storage, while USDC is more active in on-chain applications. Together, they account for over 95% of stablecoin transaction volume last year, indicating high market concentration.

Accelerating Regulatory Framework Development

Another key signal of stablecoins moving toward mainstream acceptance is the shift in regulatory attitudes. After U.S. President Trump signed the GENIUS Act in July 2024, major economies worldwide began re-evaluating their stablecoin regulatory frameworks:

• Countries like Canada and the UK are advancing stablecoin regulation, with plans to implement frameworks around 2026
• Payment giants such as Western Union, MoneyGram, and Zelle are exploring blockchain-based stablecoin settlement solutions
• Some systems will be deployed on high-performance networks like Solana to improve transaction efficiency

This indicates that stablecoins are transitioning from passive regulatory acceptance to active integration into mainstream financial systems.

Future Outlook

If stablecoin transaction volume indeed reaches $56.6 trillion by 2030, it will constitute a significant component of current global financial transactions. Considering current growth trajectories and regulatory developments, this forecast is not unfounded.

Based on existing trends, it can be expected that: institutional adoption will continue to accelerate, especially in payment clearing; demand in emerging markets will keep rising; and USDC’s application scenarios in DeFi will further expand. However, whether stablecoins can truly achieve this growth target depends on the smooth implementation of regulatory frameworks, continuous technological improvements, and further building user trust.

Summary

Stablecoins are undergoing a transformation from “cryptofinancial tools” to “global payment infrastructure.” The growth forecast from $2.9 trillion to $56.6 trillion reflects the combined effects of increased institutional participation, rising demand in emerging markets, and improved regulatory frameworks. The differentiated competition between USDT and USDC also indicates that the stablecoin market is forming a specialized ecosystem division. Regardless of whether the $56.6 trillion target is reached, the importance of stablecoins in the global payment system is now irreversible. The key upcoming focus will be the concrete implementation of regulatory frameworks in various countries and the actual progress of payment giants’ blockchain applications.