You may not know that in 2025, the most profitable asset in the crypto market is neither Bitcoin nor Ethereum, but stablecoins! The latest data shows that the total transaction volume of stablecoins reached $46 trillion in the past year, three times that of Visa, approaching the ACH network of the entire US banking system. As an analyst with years of experience in the industry, I can confidently say: Stablecoins are no longer just 'special tools in the crypto field', but an important part of the global financial system, and their rise is quietly changing our logic of making money.
Many people still perceive stablecoins as 'intermediaries for trading cryptocurrencies', but the reality is far more complex. Stablecoins have now become a key pillar of the on-chain economy, with over 1% of US dollars existing in tokenized stablecoin form on public blockchains, ranking 17th in US Treasury holdings, surpassing many sovereign nations. More importantly, stablecoins are becoming the preferred tool for global cross-border payments, with usage surging in emerging markets like Argentina and Nigeria, as they help people avoid the risks of local currency depreciation.
Where are the money-making opportunities with stablecoins? Many retail investors overlook this space, but institutions have already positioned themselves. The first opportunity is the "interest rate spread" from stablecoins. Issuers of stablecoins earn returns by holding low-risk assets like U.S. Treasuries, and some platforms return part of the earnings to users, for example, by earning interest through staking stablecoins. The second opportunity is the "ecosystem dividends" of stablecoins. As stablecoins become more widespread, an increasing number of DeFi projects are emerging around stablecoins, such as lending, wealth management, and trading, all of which can bring additional returns to users. The third opportunity is the "cross-border payment arbitrage" of stablecoins. In different regions, there may be slight price differences in stablecoins, and arbitraging across platforms can yield stable returns.
How can retail investors participate in the stablecoin space? I've summarized three practical strategies.
First, choose "leading stablecoins" for staking. Currently, Tether and USDC dominate the market, accounting for 87% of the total supply. These leading stablecoins offer higher security and more stable staking returns. I am currently staking USDC on multiple platforms, with an annual yield between 4% and 6%. Although it's not high, it is stable.
Second, participate in DeFi projects related to stablecoins. Choose projects with high liquidity and audited code, such as Compound and Aave, to earn returns through lending or providing liquidity.
Third, pay attention to the "regulatory dynamics" of stablecoins. By 2025, the U.S. has already introduced a regulatory framework for stablecoins, and compliant stablecoins will have greater advantages, while non-compliant small stablecoins may be eliminated, so be sure to avoid them.
Many people ask me, "With such low yields on stablecoins, is it worth participating?" My answer is: For retail investors seeking stability, stablecoins are an excellent choice. In times of market volatility, stablecoins can help you preserve your principal while earning stable returns. Moreover, as the tokenization wave progresses, the demand for stablecoins will increase, and the potential for future returns will be even greater. I will share specific stablecoin staking platforms and DeFi project analyses later, follow me@链上标哥 , don't get lost! I will help you seize this invisible money-making opportunity.
