The Rise of Stablecoins as Global Payment Infrastructure

The global payments landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the rapid adoption of stablecoins as a foundational infrastructure for business-to-business (B2B) transactions and cross-border commerce. According to a report by Artemis and blockchain analytics firms, stablecoin transaction volume surged to $94.2 billion between January 2023 and February 2025, with B2B payments alone contributing an annualized run rate of $36 billion [1]. This represents a staggering leap from under $100 million in annualized B2B stablecoin volume just a few years prior, signaling a paradigm shift in how enterprises manage liquidity and settle international trade.

The B2B Revolution: From Niche to Mainstream

Stablecoins are no longer a speculative asset class—they are becoming the rails of global commerce. Data from Chaincatcher reveals that B2B stablecoin transactions now account for the largest share of total volume, outpacing peer-to-peer (P2P) and card-linked payments [2]. The appeal is clear: stablecoins eliminate the friction of traditional cross-border transfers, which are plagued by correspondent banking fees, currency conversion delays, and regulatory complexity. For instance, a $219,000 average B2B transaction on Tron or Ethereum settles in seconds at a cost of mere cents, compared to SWIFT transfers that can take days and incur fees of $25–$50 per transaction [4].

This efficiency has driven exponential growth. By February 2025, the annualized run rate for stablecoin payments had reached $72.3 billion, with B2B transactions projected to hit $3 billion annually by year-end [1]. Tether’s USDT dominates the market, accounting for 90% of transaction volume, while Tron’s low-cost, high-speed blockchain has become the preferred settlement layer [3].

Stripe and Bridge: The Strategic Catalyst

The most consequential development in 2024–2025 was Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge, a stablecoin orchestration platform, for $1.1 billion in February 2025 [3]. This move positioned Stripe at the forefront of the stablecoin-driven B2B revolution. Bridge’s infrastructure enables businesses to integrate stablecoin functionality seamlessly, automating currency conversion, compliance, and settlement across 101 countries [2].

Stripe’s integration of Bridge has already yielded explosive growth. Since January 2025, stablecoin transaction volume on its platform has grown by 30% monthly, with companies processing over $1 million in cross-border transactions 92% more likely to use stablecoins [3]. The company now offers stablecoins as a core feature of its Optimized Checkout Suite, allowing businesses to bypass traditional banking infrastructure entirely. For example, a U.S. manufacturer selling to a supplier in Vietnam can now receive USDC directly on the Tron blockchain, convert it to local currency instantly, and avoid FX volatility and intermediary fees [2].

Regulatory Tailwinds and Market Momentum

Regulatory clarity has further accelerated adoption. The GENIUS Act in the U.S. and the EU’s MiCA framework have provided a legal foundation for stablecoins to operate as legitimate financial infrastructure [3]. These frameworks address concerns around reserve transparency and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, reducing barriers for institutional adoption. JPMorgan and PayPal have also entered the space, signaling broader acceptance [2].

Meanwhile, the total stablecoin transfer volume in 2024 reached $27.6 trillion, surpassing Visa and Mastercard combined [1]. This underscores stablecoins’ dual role as both a payment rail and a liquidity tool for the crypto ecosystem.

Why Invest Now?

The case for investing in fintech and blockchain infrastructure firms is compelling. Companies like Stripe, Bridge, and Tron-based protocols are building the next-generation payment networks that will underpin global trade. For investors, the key opportunities lie in:
1. Stablecoin Orchestration Platforms: Firms that simplify integration for enterprises (e.g., Bridge).
2. Blockchain Infrastructure: Networks like Tron and Ethereum that process high-value B2B transactions.
3. Regulatory-Ready Solutions: Providers that help businesses navigate compliance (e.g., Artemis).

With stablecoin transaction volumes projected to exceed $150 billion by 2026, the window to capitalize on this disruption is narrowing. As AG Dillon & Co noted in a recent podcast, “Stablecoins are not just a fintech trend—they are the new plumbing of global commerce” [4].

Source:
[1] Stablecoin payment volume reaches $94B, driven by B2B ... [https://cointelegraph.com/news/stablecoin-payment-volume-94b-driven-b2b-transfers]
[2] Stripe and PayPal's Stablecoin Leap: How Digital Giants ... [https://www.genspark.ai/spark/stripe-and-paypals-stablecoin-leap-how-digital-giants-are-redefining-global-transactions/0bfc5111-ce05-4921-9cbc-7b12e7433ece]
[3] Tether and Tron dominate the stablecoin payment market, with ... [https://www.panewslab.com/en/articles/cu5vo9n3]
[4] Cross-Border Payment : Stablecoins Go Mainstream in 2025 [https://www.hostmerchantservices.com/2025/08/cross-border-payment/]