Stablecoins to explode in 2025: $33 trillion in transaction volume hits new high, USDC and USDT's dual oligopoly becomes prominent

LiquiditySurfer · 2026-01-09T00:52:17+00:00

In 2025, the global stablecoin market trading volume increased by 72% year-over-year, surpassing $33 trillion, primarily driven by a friendly crypto policy environment. Circle's USDC and Tether's USDT dominate the market, and stablecoins are becoming increasingly important in payments and cross-border fund flows. Future regulation will be a key factor.

LiquiditySurfer

2026-01-09 00:52:17

Abstract generation in progress

【Blockchain Rhythm】The stablecoin market is expected to experience explosive growth in 2025. According to Artemis Analytics data, global stablecoin trading volume has surged by 72% year-over-year, surpassing $33 trillion to reach a record high. What is driving this trend? A friendly cryptocurrency policy environment.

The market structure is quite concentrated. Circle’s USDC leads the global market with $18.3 trillion in trading volume, followed by Tether’s USDT with $13.3 trillion. The trading volumes of these two giants dominate the stablecoin market.

Interestingly, stablecoins are becoming the core infrastructure of on-chain finance. In scenarios such as payments, transaction settlement, and cross-border fund flows, the usage of stablecoins is rising significantly. The improvement in policy friendliness has unlocked market potential and encouraged more institutions and individuals to use stablecoins as a medium of exchange. Will this momentum continue? The next moves of regulatory authorities will be crucial, as such large trading volumes will inevitably attract regulatory attention.

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DeFiCaffeinator

· 12h ago

Wait, USDC suddenly so strong? Feels like Circle is holding a big move... --- 33 trillion? That data sounds a bit exaggerated, but anyway USDT still wins by default. --- Relying on friendly policies is true, but when will this duopoly be broken? --- Stablecoins have become infrastructure, but I'm a bit worried about the risk being concentrated in just two companies. --- A 72% surge sounds great, but I wonder how much of that is just water... --- Cross-border payments are indeed where stablecoins have the most useful application; other currencies shouldn't even think about it. --- With such a large trading volume, can regulators still remain friendly? That's a bit questionable. --- If USDC can really surpass USDT, the crypto landscape will have to be rewritten.

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MemeEchoer

· 01-09 01:21

330 trillion? Sounds impressive, USDT and USDC are about to monopolize the world again. --- With such a stable duopoly, is there still a chance for new projects... --- Is a friendly policy really enough to boost trading volume? It seems like most of it is just hype. --- Stablecoins as infrastructure, sounds good in theory, but I'm worried it might just be a flash in the pan. --- A 72% increase sounds great, but retail investors are still the ones getting cut. --- Is USDC about to surpass USDT? This storyline is pretty interesting. --- Using stablecoins for cross-border transactions, only these two are usable, the landscape is really TMD boring. --- The problem is, if regulations tighten, can we still see these numbers? Don't get your hopes up too high. --- It's outrageous, 330 trillion is in the hands of these two, the ecosystem should reflect on itself.

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StakeTillRetire

· 01-09 01:20

Whoa, 33 trillion? That number is a bit scary. USDT and USDC are almost taking over the entire market. With such obvious duopoly, do new players still have a chance? I've long seen that stablecoins are becoming infrastructure, just waiting for more friendly policies. Policies are unreliable; could they suddenly change again? I'm a bit worried. Is a 33 trillion trading volume real? Feels a bit fishy. USDT is still the big brother; it's stable, but it has a bit of a monopoly vibe. Cross-border payments with stablecoins are indeed awesome, hundreds of times faster than traditional finance. Wait, is this trading volume one-way or two-way? The data seems a bit inflated. Two duopolists hold the majority, which isn't very friendly for retail investors. A 72% growth rate is so fierce; could the bubble be too big this year?

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QuietlyStaking

· 01-09 01:17

33 trillion? That number sounds outrageous, but when you think about it, it makes sense... The policy loosening is so aggressive. USDT and USDC still dominate the dual-head monopoly; really, no one can shake them. I'm tired of hearing that stablecoins are the infrastructure; the key is how regulation shifts. Cross-border flows are indeed growing rapidly, but could it be another false fire? Friendly policies? Uh... be careful not to get slapped in the face again someday.

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SerRugResistant

· 01-09 01:11

Damn, 33 trillion? USDT and USDC are really dominating the stablecoin market. When will other smaller coins have a chance to turn things around? --- If this duopoly continues, latecomers really won't have a chance. But speaking of policies, being friendly is probably the key, right? --- A 72% increase sounds great, but honestly, can this number be sustained? I always feel there's a bubble. --- The infrastructure of on-chain finance, to put it nicely, is mostly supported by USDT after all. --- Cross-border payments definitely have potential, but as soon as regulations tighten, stablecoins will cool off. Don't get your hopes too high.

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RektButStillHere

· 01-09 01:01

3.3 trillion? I don't believe it. USDT and USDC really just took over the entire market. --- The duopoly pattern is actually just being squeezed by Circle and Tether. --- When policies are friendly, there's a 72% surge. But what if the policies change face? --- Stablecoins are really attractive, but it's still the two old players who call the shots. --- Cross-border transfers are indeed fast, but I still want to see how new players break through. --- A trading volume of 33 trillion, that number is a bit scary. --- On-chain financial core infrastructure sounds very high-end, but in reality, only two coins monopolize it. --- If you ask me, how long this momentum can last depends on regulatory attitudes. Policies can flip quickly.

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BankruptWorker

· 01-09 00:57

330 trillion? Damn, that number sounds a bit outrageous, feels like bragging. USDT and USDC are really monopolizing the market, other stablecoins can't survive. Policy-friendly growth of 72%, were they suppressed before? Cross-border transfers are fast, but there's always the worry of regulatory crackdown someday. With such a stable duopoly, new projects have no chance. Feels like these kinds of data are always creating FOMO... People who make money are never the ones using stablecoins. Is the hotness of stablecoins a sign that fiat currency is about to have issues? The real suspense is how regulations will proceed next. Either of these giants crashing first could trigger a bloodbath. I just want to know how much of this 330 trillion is from money laundering transactions haha.

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GasDevourer

· 01-09 00:56

33 trillion? Sounds unbelievable, but USDT and USDC are indeed monopolizing the market to an unmanageable extent. A 72% surge due to friendly policies shows how intense the suppression was before. Cross-border flows are the real focus; flashy applications like Bitcoin are unreliable. Let's wait and see how regulators handle this next. How long can the good days last?

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