Stablecoins are gradually evolving from a niche tool into a cornerstone of global payments. Analysts at Chainalysis estimate that transaction volumes in stablecoins could reach $1.5 quadrillion over the next decade.

The great wealth transfer is here, and it’s bringing crypto with it. Between 2028 and 2048, an estimated $100 trillion will likely move to younger, crypto-native generations. Our latest blog explores how stablecoin payment volumes are on pace to match Visa and Mastercard by the…

— Chainalysis (@chainalysis) April 8, 2026

Even the baseline scenario predicts an adjusted figure of $719 trillion. However, an influx of merchants and demographic changes could significantly accelerate this trend.

Projected transaction volumes in stablecoins (by 2035). Source: Chainalysis.

Two Main Catalysts

In 2025, stablecoins accounted for approximately $28 trillion in "real economic activity"—analysts intentionally excluded trading volumes on exchanges, focusing solely on direct payments and transfers.

Analysts expect this metric to grow exponentially by 2035 due to two structural factors:

  1. Generational Shift. From 2028 to 2048, millennials and Gen Z are set to inherit up to $100 trillion. These demographic groups are much more rational when it comes to storing and using digital assets.
  1. Widespread Distribution. The integration of stablecoins into merchant payment solutions will make their use nearly invisible to consumers. Paying with cryptocurrency will cease to be a complex process and will become a routine operation. An additional driver in this direction could be commerce based on AI-agent ecosystems.

Together, these trends will enable stablecoins to match the transaction volumes of Visa and Mastercard between 2031 and 2039. With accelerated technology adoption, parity could be achieved even sooner.

Millennials and Gen Z as drivers of stablecoin adoption. Source: Chainalysis.

Integration and Regulatory Position

Changes are already evident: major financial players have begun adapting their strategies to incorporate stablecoins.

Stripe's acquisition of the startup Bridge and Mastercard's purchase of BVNK indicate that stablecoins are becoming part of the core financial infrastructure.

Standard Chartered has also reported a significant increase in stablecoin usage due to new application scenarios. The bank estimates that the sector could generate demand for U.S. Treasury bonds up to $1 trillion, directly linking the payment industry with global capital flows.

Meanwhile, regulatory bodies continue to assess potential risks. A recent White House study found no substantial evidence of stablecoins negatively impacting bank lending. The document effectively dispelled concerns about possible deposit outflows amid the development of regulatory frameworks.

Many experts view the current trend not as a threat to the traditional financial system, but as a convergence. As noted by Patrick Witt, a cryptocurrency advisor to former U.S. President Donald Trump, stablecoins could channel additional funds into the U.S. banking sector rather than siphoning them away. The ultimate market impact will depend on the structure of issuance and the quality of issuers' reserves.

Additionally, the prediction platform Polymarket announced a major infrastructure update and the launch of its own stablecoin.