Stablecoin Transactions Surge by 72% in 2025, Reaching $33 Trillion with USDC Leading the Way

In 2025, global transactions involving stablecoins hit an impressive total of $33 trillion, marking a 72% increase from the previous year, according to a report from Bloomberg referencing data from Artemis Analytics.

Key Takeaways

Stablecoin Growth: In 2025, global stablecoin transactions totaled $33 trillion, representing a 72% increase year-over-year.
USDC Dominance: Circle's USDC stablecoin led with $18.3 trillion in transactions, while Tether's USDT followed with $13.3 trillion.
Legislative Impact: The GENIUS Act has established a regulatory framework that supports stablecoin transactions in the U.S.
DeFi Preferences: USDC is favored by DeFi traders for its flexibility while Tether is more commonly used for daily transactions.
Future Market Predictions: Stablecoin transactions may reach $56 trillion by 2030, despite concerns from regulators about their impact on traditional finance.

Stablecoin USDC

Leading this surge was the digital dollar USDC, issued by Circle, which accounted for $18.3 trillion in transactions, making it the most utilized stablecoin by transaction volume. On the other hand, Tether’s USDT stablecoin, which maintains the highest market capitalization at $187 billion, recorded $13.3 trillion in transactions.

Stablecoin Overview

This unprecedented growth in stablecoin transactions can be attributed to the passing of the GENIUS Act under the Trump administration in July 2025. Also known as the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins, this legislation marks the first extensive regulatory framework for payment stablecoins in the United States.

In a prior interview with Cryptonews, Reeve Collins, the creator of Tether, mentioned that legislation like the GENIUS Act facilitates the global acceptance of stablecoins. He highlighted, “The reason why that’s so powerful… and all the large financial institutions get involved, is because it’s lucrative.”

DeFi Users Prefer USDC: What’s Driving This Trend?

Anthony Yim, co-founder of Artemis, noted that decentralized finance (DeFi) traders favor the USDC stablecoin for agile movement in and out of positions. He also pointed out that the “unstable geopolitical landscape” has encouraged the widespread adoption of US dollar-pegged stablecoins, as those in inflation-stricken countries seek accessible alternatives.

While USDC is gaining traction among DeFi traders, Tether remains a more commonly used stablecoin for everyday transactions. Users typically prefer to hold Tether in wallets rather than frequently transferring it.

Future Projections: Stablecoin Transaction Flows to Reach $56 Trillion by 2030

A Bloomberg Intelligence analysis predicts that total stablecoin transaction flows could potentially reach $56 trillion by 2030. However, entities like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) caution that stablecoins could pose a risk to traditional finance and economic growth.

Despite these warnings, growth in this sector appears to be accelerating. Artemis data indicates that transaction volumes in the last quarter of 2025 reached $11 trillion, compared to $8.8 trillion in the third quarter.

Moreover, the East is forging a unique and sustainable path for digital assets, posing a challenge to Western influence through pragmatic regulation.

Chengyi Ong, Head of Public Policy for APAC at Chainalysis, told Cryptonews, “Unquestionably, stablecoins are a game-changer.”

Additionally, the prominence of stablecoins, fueled by the GENIUS Act, has spurred greater interest from banking and tech giants, such as Standard Chartered and Amazon, who are exploring the possibility of launching their own stablecoins.