In 2025, stablecoin payments hit record highs, fueled by the rapid adoption of USDT and USDC for real-world transactions. Over $18.7 trillion in volume was processed, surpassing previous years as these digital currencies gain traction globally. This growth is driven by a combination of factors including increased utilization in commerce and stringent regulatory frameworks.
Stablecoin transaction volumes reached unprecedented levels in September 2025, with USDT and USDC leading the charge. Real-world spending on crypto continues to rise, illustrating massive adoption trends for these stablecoins. This surge signifies a significant shift in how people use crypto, moving beyond trading to utilize it as a vital part of the financial infrastructure.
The top stablecoin providers, Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC), dominated the market with 87-98% of total supply and volume, processing over $18.7 trillion in 2025 alone. This reflects a major evolution of the crypto landscape, moving towards a more integrated role for stablecoins in our everyday financial activities.
The surge in stablecoin payments is reflected by record volumes exceeding $1.25 trillion just in September 2025 alone. This shift points to a growing preference for stablecoins as payment solutions over traditional currencies, and signifies the increasing potential of crypto for real-world use cases.
Institutional involvement from giants like Visa and Tesla is further propelling this movement. Notably, a16z Crypto confirms $46 trillion in total transaction volume within the last year, with a staggering 106% increase year-on-year, showcasing the tremendous growth of stablecoin usage.
The shift towards USD-denominated stablecoins, which hold a 98 percent market share according to the IMF Crypto Monitor, highlights the increasing confidence in their use as payment solutions. Meanwhile, gold-backed and EUR-stablecoins show modest but steady growth, reflecting diverse interest in various forms of stablecoin technology.
The rapid adoption of stablecoins has had significant financial impacts, with a 106% growth in the 12-month total volume now at $46 trillion. Increased regulatory clarity provided by new legislation such as the GENIUS Act and MiCA further bolsters trust in stablecoins, paving the way for continued innovation and adoption.