Chainalysis Forecasts Stablecoin Transaction Volume Could Hit $1.5 Quadrillion by 2035

Stablecoins on Track for $1.5 Quadrillion

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis has published a forecast projecting that total stablecoin transaction volume could surge to $1.5 quadrillion by 2035. Even under a conservative base scenario, the adjusted figure would reach $719 trillion — a massive leap from current levels.

«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), original post

Why This Matters

In 2025, stablecoins facilitated roughly $28 trillion in "real economic activity" — a metric that deliberately excludes exchange trading volume, counting only direct payments and transfers. If the projections materialize, stablecoins would match Visa and Mastercard in settlement volumes somewhere between 2031 and 2039. This represents a fundamental transformation of global payment infrastructure, with stablecoins evolving from a crypto-native tool into a core component of the financial system.

Two Structural Growth Catalysts

Chainalysis identifies two primary forces shaping the stablecoin market trajectory over the next decade:

• Generational wealth transfer. Between 2028 and 2048, millennials and Gen Z stand to inherit up to $100 trillion. These demographics are far more comfortable holding and transacting in digital assets.
• Broad merchant integration. Embedding stablecoins into merchant payment solutions will make their use virtually invisible to end consumers. Paying with stablecoins will become a routine operation rather than a technically complex process.

An additional catalyst, according to the analysts, could be the emergence of commerce powered by AI agent ecosystems. With accelerated technology adoption, parity with traditional payment giants could arrive even sooner than projected.

Major Financial Players Betting on Stablecoins

Corporate deals are reinforcing the trend. Stripe acquired the startup Bridge, while Mastercard purchased BVNK. Both transactions signal that stablecoins are becoming embedded in foundational financial infrastructure.

Standard Chartered has also noted accelerating stablecoin usage driven by expanding use cases. The bank estimates the sector could generate demand for up to $1 trillion in U.S. Treasury bonds, directly linking the payments industry with global capital flows.

Regulatory Landscape

Regulators continue to assess risks associated with stablecoins. A recent White House study found no compelling evidence that stablecoins negatively impact bank lending. The report effectively countered fears about a potential deposit exodus.

Patrick Witt, crypto advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, has suggested that stablecoins could channel additional funds into the U.S. banking sector rather than drawing them away. The ultimate market impact will hinge on the emission structure and reserve quality of stablecoin issuers.

The convergence between traditional finance and stablecoins is accelerating. The remaining question is how quickly the regulatory environment will adapt to a reality where stablecoins have become an integral part of the global economy.