Stablecoins on the Rise: 2025 Set to Be a Game-Changer

Stablecoins might finally be having their big moment. According to Coinbase’s second quarter State of Crypto report, 2025 could be the breakout year for this digital asset class. They are increasingly becoming a preferred choice in modern finance, especially among businesses and everyday users.

Widespread Business Interest and Corporate Uptake

There’s been a clear jump in the number of organisations exploring stablecoins for their everyday operations. Among small and medium enterprises familiar with digital assets, over 80% are keen to integrate stablecoins into their business models. These companies see this digital asset as a way to reduce costs, speed up payments, and handle international transactions more smoothly.

Larger corporations are also showing stronger engagement. The number of Fortune 500 companies planning to use or exploring stablecoins has more than tripled compared to the previous year.

Similarly, nearly one in five executives from these top companies now consider blockchain and on-chain systems a key part of their future strategy. That marks a 47% rise from the year before, showing the expanding role of stablecoins beyond early adopters and into mainstream business.

Global Growth and Real-World Use

Stablecoins are not only gaining support in the corporate sector — they’re also being taken up by the broader public. Worldwide, over 161 million people now hold some form of stablecoin, and the total global supply has increased by more than half in the past 12 months.

The growth in stablecoin use is clear when looking at the actual transaction volumes. In December 2024, stablecoin transactions reached a record high of $719 billion, with April 2025 coming close at $717 billion. These figures show that stablecoins are already functioning as a powerful alternative to traditional payment methods. In fact, in 2024, the total amount of money transferred using stablecoins reached $27.6 trillion—exceeding the combined total volume processed by Visa and Mastercard that same year.

The report links the spike to stablecoins’ practical benefits, such as fast, low-cost cross-border transfers, cheaper payment processing, and quicker payroll for global staff—making them attractive to international businesses and supply chains.

Growing Institutional Support and Stablecoin Policy Momentum

Interest in stablecoins isn’t limited to the business and consumer sectors. Some of the world’s most recognisable tech brands — including Apple, Airbnb, Google, and X — have reportedly begun exploring potential partnerships with cryptocurrency companies. These early discussions suggest that stablecoins could soon become part of the payment infrastructure on major global platforms.

Meanwhile, U.S. crypto policy is also shifting. Lawmakers are considering new legislation aimed at providing a clear framework for stablecoin regulation. The GENIUS Act, a bill focused on creating standards for stablecoin oversight, is approaching a key Senate vote and could move forward this week. The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, recently mentioned that the Trump administration does not perceive the digital asset as a threat to the U.S. dollar. 

Executives at leading companies have expressed strong support for this approach. Nine out of ten leaders from the Fortune 500 agree that the country needs consistent and reliable regulations for blockchain and crypto-related technologies. Research by Standard Chartered suggests that the GENIUS Act bill could even lead to a massive rise in the digital asset supply. They predict the market could reach $2 trillion by 2028.

Countries such as South Korea, along with regions like Hong Kong, are also developing clear regulations to support stablecoins. Daniel Tse, Managing Director of Futu Securities International—Hong Kong’s largest online brokerage—recently noted a rise in stablecoin-related investments on their platform. With strong fundamentals in place, stablecoins could see even greater growth in the near future.