Stablecoins as the New Internet Infrastructure Layer in 2026

In 2026, stablecoins are no longer just a tool for remittances or liquidity-they are emerging as the foundational settlement layer of the internet. This transformation, driven by infrastructure innovation and financial interoperability, is reshaping how value is moved, stored, and accessed globally. As institutions and startups alike pivot toward a programmable financial future, stablecoins are proving to be the linchpin of a new era in Web3 finance.

From Niche to Infrastructure: The Role of Stablecoins in 2026

Stablecoins have evolved from a niche financial tool to a critical component of global financial infrastructure. By 2026, they support $46 trillion in annual transaction volume, rivaling traditional payment processors like Visa and PayPal. This growth is underpinned by their ability to facilitate real-time cross-border payments, seamless merchant integrations, and broader access to digital financial systems. Jeremy Zhang of a16z's crypto engineering team notes that stablecoins are now "foundational settlement layers for the internet," enabling value to move as freely and instantaneously as data.

This shift is not merely speculative. Financial institutions such as Stripe, JPMorgan Chase, and Société Générale are actively integrating stablecoin infrastructure into their operations. Stripe's acquisition of Bridge signals a strategic move to leverage stablecoins for instant, low-cost payments. Meanwhile, platforms like Fireblocks and Arbitrum are building dual-track infrastructure that supports stablecoins in both public and permissioned environments, balancing compliance with composability.

Financial Interoperability: Bridging Traditional and Digital Systems

A key challenge in the adoption of stablecoins has been connecting them to the existing financial systems people use daily-bank accounts, local currencies, and legacy banking infrastructure. Sam Broner of a16z highlights how stablecoins are addressing this by acting as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain technology. New startups are developing interoperable global wallet layers and card-issuing platforms that enable real-time, cross-border payments, broadening access to the digital dollar economy.

Broner argues that stablecoins allow institutions to innovate without overhauling their outdated systems. For example, on-chain lending platforms built on stablecoins reduce loan servicing costs and increase accessibility by automating collateral management and risk assessment. This interoperability is critical for mainstream adoption, as it ensures that stablecoins can coexist with-and enhance-traditional financial tools.

On-Chain Origination and RWA Tokenization: The Next Frontier

While stablecoins have long been backed by liquid assets like cash or U.S. Treasuries, 2026 marks a shift toward on-chain origination of asset-backed stablecoins. Guy Wuollet of a16z emphasizes that traditional methods-tokenizing off-chain loans or collateral-offer limited advantages unless the entire origination process is moved to blockchain. On-chain origination reduces operational costs, improves transparency, and enhances compliance, making it a superior model for the on-chain economy.

This trend is particularly relevant for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization. By 2026, stablecoins are being used to tokenize assets like gold, commodities, and even real estate, providing stability and trust in volatile crypto markets. Wuollet notes that platforms are now facilitating on-chain asset-backed lending against off-chain collateral, but true innovation lies in originating these loans directly on-chain. This shift enables the development of a more efficient, programmable financial infrastructure, where value can be automated, tracked, and secured in real time.

The Investment Case: Capturing the Infrastructure Wave

The transition of stablecoins into infrastructure presents a compelling investment opportunity. Startups and protocols building on-chain origination platforms, RWA tokenization tools, and interoperable wallet layers are poised to capture significant value. For instance, platforms like Arbitrum and Fireblocks are already enabling institutions to balance compliance with composability, while new asset managers are creating tokenized deposits and collateral liquidity solutions.

Investors should also consider the broader implications of stablecoins as a settlement layer. As value moves as seamlessly as information, stablecoins will underpin new financial scenarios-from decentralized lending to programmable smart contracts. This evolution is not just about efficiency; it's about redefining the architecture of global finance.

Conclusion

Stablecoins are no longer a side note in the crypto story-they are the bedrock of a new internet infrastructure. By 2026, their role in financial interoperability, on-chain origination, and RWA tokenization will redefine how value is created, transferred, and stored. For investors, the key is to focus on the infrastructure layer: protocols, platforms, and startups that enable this transition. As a16z's experts have consistently argued, the next phase of Web3 finance will be built on stablecoins-not as a currency, but as the rails of a global, programmable financial system.