Stablecoins will process $28 trillion in real economic activity by 2025. A report by Chainalysis projects that this number will reach $1,500 trillion by 2035. Two factors drive this change.
Two macro factors, namely the largest transfer of wealth in history and the popularization of cryptocurrency payments, are expected to reshape the global financial landscape.
The largest transfer of wealth in history
By around 2028, Millennials and Generation Z will make up the majority of the adult population in North America and Europe. According to a 2025 Gemini survey, nearly half of them already own or have owned cryptocurrency.
Merrill Lynch estimates that by 2048, up to $100 trillion in assets will transition from the baby boomer generation to younger generations. These heirs are likely to manage and move capital through cryptocurrency networks as a primary route, unlike their parents. Chainalysis predicts that this behavioral change could add $508 trillion to annual stablecoin transaction volume by 2035, a figure larger than the current global cross-border payment market size.
The second factor is merchant acceptance. If enough stores accept stablecoins as a payment method, cryptocurrency payments will no longer be a special choice. It will simply become an everyday transaction. Major retailers and payment processors are already testing the introduction of stablecoin payments at the payment stage.
When stablecoin acceptance becomes a reality in physical stores, everyday transactions such as groceries, rent, and subscription fees will transition to large-scale on-chain activities. Chainalysis estimates that this change alone could increase annual transaction volume by $232 trillion by 2035.
Reasons why large financial institutions are paying attention to the stablecoin payment network
If the current trend continues, stablecoin transactions will grow to a scale comparable to that of Visa and Mastercard between 2031 and 2039. Stablecoins are settled in seconds, operate 24/7, and eliminate intermediaries. Stripe has acquired Bridge, and Mastercard has partnered with BVNK.
Traditional financial institutions are facing changing choices. Waiting institutions may find themselves settling on others' payment networks.