Stablecoin Payment Flows May Reach $56 Trillion by 2030: Bloomberg

Stablecoin Payment Flows Could Reach $56 Trillion by 2030, Bloomberg Predicts

Stablecoins are rapidly moving from the margins of crypto markets into the heart of global finance, and their growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing. According to new projections from Bloomberg Intelligence, payment flows powered by stablecoins could surge to nearly $56.6 trillion by 2030, positioning them as one of the most influential payment mechanisms worldwide.

Such a leap would represent a dramatic expansion from the estimated $2.9 trillion in stablecoin payment flows recorded in 2025. To reach Bloomberg’s forecast, the sector would need to sustain an eye-catching compound annual growth rate of roughly 81% over the next five years, a pace rarely seen in traditional financial systems.

Bloomberg analysts attribute this potential explosion to a combination of institutional adoption and growing demand from regions facing persistent inflation, currency devaluation, and economic uncertainty. In these environments, dollar-pegged stablecoins are increasingly viewed as a practical alternative to local currencies.

From Niche Crypto Tool to Global Payment Rail

Stablecoins are no longer limited to trading desks and crypto-native users. Instead, they are becoming everyday financial tools for cross-border payments, savings, and commercial settlements. Bloomberg Intelligence notes that this evolution could place stablecoins alongside, or even ahead of, legacy payment networks in certain markets.

Emerging economies play a particularly important role in this trend. As geopolitical tensions and monetary instability intensify, individuals and businesses alike are turning to US dollar-backed digital assets to preserve value and move money efficiently across borders.

USDT Leads Centralized Finance as USDC Gains Ground in DeFi

While the stablecoin ecosystem is expanding as a whole, competition between major issuers remains fierce. Bloomberg’s data highlights a clear division in usage patterns between the two dominant players: Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC.

USDT continues to be the preferred stablecoin for centralized finance, everyday payments, and business transactions, especially in developing regions. Its widespread availability and deep liquidity have made it a default choice for users seeking stability outside traditional banking systems.

USDC, however, has carved out a strong position within decentralized finance. On DeFi platforms, it remains the stablecoin of choice due to its regulatory posture and perceived transparency.

Despite a noticeable shift away from decentralized platforms in overall transaction share during 2025, USDC still recorded higher total transaction volume, reaching $18.3 trillion, compared with $13.3 trillion for USDT. Together, the two assets accounted for more than 95% of the $33 trillion in total stablecoin transaction volume, which itself marked a 72% year-on-year increase.

From a market capitalization standpoint, USDT maintains a commanding lead, with a valuation approaching $187 billion, while USDC stands at approximately $75 billion.

Market Size Expands as Governments and Institutions Step In

The broader stablecoin market is now valued at around $312 billion, and expectations for future growth are accelerating. The US Treasury previously estimated that the sector could expand to $2 trillion by 2028, a target that now appears increasingly plausible given recent developments.

Regulatory momentum is also building. Following the signing of the GENIUS Act by US President Donald Trump in July, countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom have intensified efforts to introduce comprehensive stablecoin frameworks, with implementation expected in 2026 or shortly thereafter. These moves signal a growing willingness among governments to formally integrate stablecoins into mainstream financial systems.

Traditional Payment Giants Embrace Stablecoins

Institutional adoption is advancing just as rapidly. Legacy financial and payment firms are no longer experimenting quietly; they are committing publicly. Western Union, one of the world’s largest remittance providers, is preparing to launch a stablecoin-based settlement system on the Solana blockchain in the first half of 2026.

At the same time, companies like MoneyGram and Zelle are developing their own stablecoin solutions, aiming to reduce costs and settlement times for international transfers. These initiatives reflect a broader realization that blockchain-based payments may offer efficiencies that traditional rails struggle to match.

A Defining Decade for Stablecoins

If Bloomberg’s projections hold true, the coming decade could redefine how money moves across borders. Stablecoins, once dismissed as a speculative crypto experiment, may soon underpin a significant share of global payment flows.

As regulation matures, institutional confidence grows, and adoption spreads in both developed and emerging economies, stablecoins appear increasingly positioned to become a foundational layer of the future financial system rather than a parallel alternative.

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