Stablecoin Total Market Cap Sees Slight 0.13% Weekly Increase, Maintaining All-Time High

Stablecoin transactions hit a record $33 trillion in 2025, reflecting a 72% increase from the previous year. This growth was driven by favorable U.S. policy under President Donald Trump and growing institutional adoption according to reports. The surge in volume was led by USDC, which accounted for $18.3 trillion in transactions, followed by USDT, which recorded $13.3 trillion. These figures highlight the increasing role of stablecoins in global finance, particularly as a medium for digital dollar storage and cross-border transactions as data shows.

The U.S. Genius Act, enacted in July 2025, provided regulatory clarity that encouraged institutional participation. This led to increased adoption among major corporations, including Standard Chartered, Walmart, and Amazon, who began exploring stablecoin launches according to reports. The Trump administration's pro-crypto stance and supportive legislation helped create an environment where stablecoins could thrive according to analysis.

Data from Artemis Analytics Inc. showed a decline in the share of stablecoin transactions on decentralized platforms, suggesting broader mainstream usage. Anthony Yim, co-founder of Artemis, noted that stablecoin adoption is growing rapidly in emerging markets where individuals seek to preserve their wealth amid inflation and instability according to reports.

Why Did This Happen?

The Trump administration's pro-crypto policies played a crucial role in the growth of stablecoin usage. The Genius Act provided a legal framework that made it easier for institutions to adopt stablecoins. This led to a surge in institutional interest, with major firms like Amazon and Walmart exploring their own stablecoin solutions according to reports.

USDC's dominance in transaction volume is attributed to its frequent use in DeFi platforms, where traders frequently move positions. In contrast, USDT is more commonly used for everyday payments and value storage according to analysis. The regulatory clarity from the Genius Act made USDC an attractive option for institutions seeking deep liquidity and regulatory trust according to reports.

How Did Markets React?

Market reactions to the surge in stablecoin usage have been mixed. While some analysts are optimistic about the growth potential, others remain cautious. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, stablecoin payments are projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 81% and could reach $56.6 trillion by 2030 according to projections.

However, some critics argue that stablecoins lack the exclusivity and incentives that have traditionally driven payment adoption. Sheel Mohnot, a venture capitalist, noted that stablecoin-based payment systems must overcome the inertia of the current system and provide compelling incentives like rewards or credit according to analysis.

Institutional adoption is also growing. Western Union, for instance, plans to roll out a stablecoin settlement system on Solana in early 2026 according to reports. This move signals increasing acceptance of stablecoins in mainstream financial services and could further drive adoption.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely watching how regulatory frameworks evolve in different regions. South Korea, for example, plans to pass stablecoin legislation in Q1 2026 and introduce spot crypto ETFs. This would align the country with global trends and could boost institutional participation according to reports.

Another key area of focus is the integration of stablecoins into government operations. South Korea's plan to use blockchain-based deposit tokens for national treasury disbursements by 2030 is an ambitious move that could have significant implications for how stablecoins are used in public finance according to analysis.

Emerging markets are also expected to play a crucial role in stablecoin growth. As individuals in these regions continue to seek ways to protect their savings from inflation and instability, stablecoins are likely to become an even more important tool according to reports.

The U.S. Treasury estimated that the stablecoin market could reach $2 trillion by 2028 according to estimates. This projection underscores the growing importance of stablecoins in global financial systems and the potential for further adoption as regulatory frameworks become more established.

The International Monetary Fund has expressed concerns about the potential risks associated with stablecoins, including threats to traditional lending and monetary policy. However, despite these concerns, the growth of stablecoin usage continues to accelerate according to analysis.

As the market matures, analysts will be watching how stablecoins integrate with traditional financial systems and how they address challenges related to regulation, adoption, and user trust. The next few years will likely determine whether stablecoins can maintain their current trajectory or if new challenges will emerge that could slow their growth according to reports.