As a seasoned analyst with over two decades of experience in the financial industry, I have witnessed the evolution of various financial instruments and their impact on global markets. In my view, stablecoins represent a promising and transformative force in modern finance, with significant potential to disrupt traditional financial systems.


At present, the total value of stablecoins is significantly low, barely reaching $200 billion, which equates to only a minuscule portion (approximately 1%) of both domestic U.S. money circulation and international currency exchanges.

On the contrary, a combined study by Standard Chartered and Zodia Markets research indicates substantial room for growth. Experts predict that the market could potentially increase to represent around 10% of the United States’ M2 money supply and foreign exchange transactions.

Regulation Could Unlock Stablecoins’ Full Potential

As indicated by the report named ‘Stablecoins: The First Significant Application,’ the purpose of stablecoins has significantly expanded beyond their initial function in cryptocurrency exchanges. Initially serving as a medium for trading, stablecoins are now frequently utilized in cross-border transactions, payroll distribution, trade settlements, and money transfers (remittances).

These programs show they can tackle issues like expensive fees, slow processing times, and restricted availability in underdeveloped areas within the current financial system. They offer an attractive option with faster and more affordable transactions, particularly for international money transfers and business dealings. In this way, stablecoins are emerging as a crucial instrument in contemporary finance.

The study further emphasized the potential impact that widespread adoption of stablecoins might have on the overall financial system. Currently, their market capitalization is significantly smaller than the $21 trillion US M2 and the $2.1 trillion in daily foreign exchange spot transactions. Yet, if they manage to capture a 10% share, they could become an influential player in global finance, altering the landscape of digital payments and settlements dramatically.

Transition requires regulation as a foundation. Previous U.S. administrations have made limited strides in creating clear policies for stablecoins, but a possible Trump administration in 2025 may focus more on this issue. In fact, regulatory certainty is anticipated to unleash the full potential of stablecoins, allowing them to expand and explore additional applications.

Stablecoin Adoption Soars in Emerging Markets

In terms of geographical distribution, the market is primarily controlled by stablecoins that are pegged to the U.S. dollar. Combined, they represent an astonishing 99.3% of the total stablecoin market capitalization. Tether (USDT) holds the largest share at approximately 73%, while Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) follows closely with a 21% stake.

In the report published on Thursday by Standard Chartered, it’s mentioned that a YouGov survey showed interesting applications. In five developing countries – Brazil, Turkey, Nigeria, India, and Indonesia – they found that about 69% of those surveyed use stablecoins as an alternative to their local currencies, while roughly 39% make use of them for cross-border payments and purchases.

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2024-12-01 02:56