Crypto Surpasses Visa and Mastercard in Transaction Volume as Stablecoins Go Mainstream, Report Shows

Key Takeaways

• 
  Stablecoin transfers hit $27.6 trillion in 2024, surpassing Visa and Mastercard’s combined volume.
  
• 
  Nearly one in five Fortune 500 executives now view on-chain strategies as strategic, representing a 47% YoY increase.
  
• 
  Initiatives like the GENIUS Act have led to 90% of Fortune 500 executives agreeing that clear U.S. crypto regulations are essential for innovation.
  

Stablecoins
are emerging as practical tools for global commerce. These assets are increasingly being used by businesses and institutions for everyday financial tasks, from cross-border payments to payroll processing.

Backed by strong year-over-year growth in transaction volume and growing interest from Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike, they are gradually
becoming part of the mainstream financial toolkit
.

2024 Becomes a Breakout Year for Stablecoins

2024 marked a pivotal moment for crypto, with stablecoins taking center stage in the digital asset economy.

Real-world adoption surged across institutions and small businesses as stablecoins enabled fast, low-cost, and borderless payments.

According to Coinbase research
, organic stablecoin transfer volumes hit historic highs—$719 billion in December 2024 and $717.1 billion in April 2025.

In total, stablecoin transfers reached $27.6 trillion in 2024, outpacing the combined volume of
Visa
and
Mastercard
by over 7.6%.

Their practical utility is straightforward: businesses and individuals increasingly use them for remittances, payroll, inflation protection, and financial inclusion.

Fortune 500 and SMBs Turn to Stablecoins Amid Regulatory Momentum

Corporate adoption is accelerating. Nearly 20% of
Fortune 500
executives now consider on-chain initiatives strategic, up 47% year over year.

Meanwhile, 81% of crypto-aware SMBs see stablecoins as a solution to key financial challenges, such as payment processing costs and speed. The number of Fortune 500 leaders exploring or planning to adopt stablecoins has tripled compared to 2024.

Regulatory clarity remains the key to unlock the following: With legislation like the
GENIUS Act
advancing, 9 in 10 Fortune 500 executives agree that consistent U.S. crypto regulation is essential to fostering innovation.

As
stablecoins drive real-world utility
, their rise signals a broader shift toward a more efficient, inclusive, and blockchain-integrated global financial system.

Stablecoin Market May Hit $3.7 Trillion by 2030

The positive momentum for stablecoins will continue as analysts forecast further room for growth in the market.

According to Citi’s Future Finance think tank
, stablecoins, now a $240 billion market dominated by Tether’s $145 B USDT and Circle’s $60 B USDC, are poised for explosive growth.

With regulatory backing and broader institutional adoption, Citi projects the market could reach $1.6 trillion by 2030 or as high as $3.7 trillion in a bullish scenario, surpassing the current $3.45 trillion global crypto market cap.

Usage is rapidly shifting from trading to payments.
Experts noted
that payment firms now account for 16% of all stablecoin transactions despite being just 11% of clients.

That volume is growing 30% quarter-over-quarter and may hit 50% of all stablecoin activity within a year.

Geopolitical uncertainty
is accelerating the adoption of stablecoin, especially among SMBs.

According to analysts, more businesses are turning to stablecoins as banking rails become harder to navigate, favoring faster, more reliable cross-border payments.