Why Wall Street Is Taking the Rise of Stablecoins Seriously
Global finance is changing. Slowly but surely, the new paradigm is taking hold. And guess what technology is penetrating everywhere at high speed? It is neither AI nor neobanks. It’s crypto. And more precisely: stablecoins, these digital tokens backed by the dollar. They were marginal tools of the tradesmen; today they are at the heart of major financial maneuvers. And while some are cheering, others on Wall Street are starting to worry.
In short
- Stablecoins processed $46 trillion worth of transactions in a single year.
- Visa, Fidelity and JPMorgan are now investing in products and services related to stablecoins.
- Blockchain speeds reach 3,400 transactions per second, making cryptocurrencies more accessible than ever.
- USDT and USDC hold 87% of the stablecoin market with $300 billion in circulation.
Stablecoins: From Crypto Niche to the Nerves of Global Finance
Stablecoins, originally simple alternatives to transfers between crypto-platforms, have become economic behemoths. In 2025, they processed $46 trillion in transactions. By comparison, that’s nearly three times Visa’s volume over the same period. Even after adjusting for artificial effects, the number remains astronomical: $9 trillion, far more than PayPal.
According to the State of Crypto 2025 report published by a16z:
In the past, stablecoins were mainly used to settle speculative crypto transactions; in recent years, they have become the fastest, cheapest and most versatile way to send a dollar – in less than a second, for less than a penny, almost anywhere in the world.
And that’s just the beginning. The number of active cryptocurrency users ranges between 40 and 70 million, and the increase comes mainly from developing countries such as Argentina or Nigeria. Where banking systems falter, stablecoins emerge as a safe haven, a more reliable medium of exchange than the local currency. At this rate, the tokenized dollar is becoming the real dollar of global markets.
Wall Street wants its piece of the stable pie
Financial giants no longer look down on cryptocurrencies. They invest in them, integrate them, distribute them. Visa, JPMorgan, Fidelity, BlackRock, Mastercard, Citi, Morgan Stanley: all are now in the loop. Some already offer to buy stablecoins from their platforms. Others are developing blockchains or integrating stablecoins into their customer services.
Circle, the USDC issuer, even went public. And crypto exchange-traded funds (ETPs) exceed $175 billion in assets under management. BlackRock Bitcoin Trust has become one of the most successful startups in history.
As a16z summarizes:
These companies have a huge distribution reach. If development continues, cryptocurrencies could become deeply integrated into the financial services we use every day.
Stablecoins continue to grow: there are more than $300 billion in circulation, 87% of which are held by Tether (USDT) and USDC. It also holds $150 billion in US Treasuries, making it the 17th largest holder of US debt in the world. Some analysts see this as a stability lever for the dollar; others, the unprecedented dependence of the Ministry of Finance on private actors.
Crypto, AI, Finance: A Convergence That Rebuilds the System
As markets heat up, crypto is entering a new era. Blockchains, once slow and expensive, now reach processing speeds of 3,400 transactions per second. Dominated by Solana and Ethereum. L2s like Arbitrum or Optimism reduce fees to less than a penny. On the user side, the password is simple: the cryptocurrency is ready for mass use.
And AI is never far away. Decentralized protocols explore solutions for autonomous agent payments, digital identity management, and privacy. Giants like Stripe are investing heavily in stablecoin infrastructure. Predictions? 10x growth by 2030 to reach a market capitalization of $3 trillion.
Numbers that speak loudly:
- stablecoin transactions of $46 trillion in 2025;
- 87% of the market holds USDT and USDC;
- $150 billion of government bonds held by stablecoins;
- 3,400 TPS: blockchain performance multiplied by 100 in 5 years.
But not everyone is celebrating this rise to power. US Senator Elizabeth Warren has publicly criticized the GENIUS Act, which she considers too favorable to private interests. Stablecoins pose a systemic risk to it if they escape strict scrutiny. If finance changes its face, it will not come out unscathed. And the political battle has only just begun.
Maximize your Cointribune experience with our “Read and Earn” program! Earn points for every article you read and get access to exclusive rewards. Register now and start reaping the benefits.
The blockchain and crypto revolution is in full swing! And on the day the effects are felt by the most vulnerable economy in this world, I will say against all hope that I had something to do with it
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
The comments and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and should not be considered investment advice. Before making any investment decision, do your own research.