Stablecoins set to surpass Visa and Mastercard by 2035

Stablecoins have become more than just a niche crypto tool and are beginning to rival traditional payment giants. According to a new report from Chainalysis, the blockchain-based stable asset could handle more transaction volume than both Visa and Mastercard combined by 2035.

New research by the blockchain analytics platform forecasts that the transaction volume of price-pegged cryptocurrencies could reach as much as $1.5 quadrillion by 2035, driven by the broad adoption of on‑chain payment rails and changing generational preferences toward digital money. If current trends continue, on‑chain stablecoin transactions could match or exceed Visa and Mastercard’s off‑chain transaction counts sometime between now and 2035, a milestone indicating a fundamental shift in global payment infrastructure.

While much of the growth remains future‑oriented, recent data highlight the rapid expansion of stablecoin use today. In 2025, global stablecoin transaction volumes soared past $33 trillion, surpassing the combined throughput of Visa and Mastercard, according to several industry reports and analytics sources.

Even if substantial advances aren’t made, the current rate of growth over the current time frame alone will drive adjusted stablecoin value to around $719 trillion annually, and even then, just not significantly faster. If significant economic and technological trends materialize, this could more than double, and stablecoins will surpass card networks as the clear leader in use.

One of the leading factors behind this projection is a huge intergenerational transfer of wealth in the near future. Some analysts predict that an additional $100 trillion will flow from older generations to Millennials and Gen Z. According to survey data cited in the report, nearly half of Millennials and Gen Z already own or hold crypto.

Since this generation inherits wealth, they might favor faster, more flexible payment systems such as stablecoins. Chainalysis projects that the same trend could generate roughly $508 trillion in overall stablecoin transaction volume by 2035. This shift isn’t just about the investment preferences. For many younger end-users, instant payments, mobile-first tooling, and international accessibility play into their expectations.

As the activity moves online, these things become more valuable. The report argues that this generational shift could redefine global money flows.

Rather than banks and card networks, consumers and companies could increasingly turn to blockchain-derived payment rails. That shift could severely undermine the dominance of legacy payment systems.

Point-of-sale adoption and corporate deals accelerate stablecoin growth

Another major catalyst is the growing acceptance of the price-pegged cryptocurrencies in everyday commerce. Point-of-sale integration alone could contribute as much as $232 trillion to the economy by 2035.

But as merchants have begun managing stablecoins directly, they’re turning them into practical tools rather than merely trading instruments. So, bulk financial companies are preparing for this. Now that Stripe recently purchased Bridge for $1.1 billion, Mastercard said it would be acquiring BVNK for up to $1.8 billion.

These actions demonstrate that traditional payment institutions view stable digital assets as part of future structures and systems rather than a fad. Regulatory changes are also driving adoption.

Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act last summer, as proof that policymakers began to take stablecoins more seriously, the report calls out as a case in point.

Clearer rules could give companies a reason to develop products and services in stablecoins, reducing uncertainty. This combination of both corporate investment and regulatory clarity brings stablecoins closer to mainstream use.

Payment companies won’t wait until 2035. Instead, they’re currently designing systems that could be applied to the larger-scale delivery of stablecoin payments.

Faster, cheaper payments are challenging traditional networks

There’s also a powerful economic case for stablecoins. In contrast to conventional payment rails, which involve multiple intermediaries and batch processing, stablecoins settle almost immediately.

They work 24/7 and cross borders without the delays of correspondent banking. Such benefits can lower payment charges and settlement times and ease reconciling. They are embedded in software to seamlessly integrate stablecoin payments into a business or system, automate workflows, and move funds from one place to another without waiting days or weeks for settlement.

That is already driving adoption across remittances, business-to-business payments, and treasury management. The current data shows how fast the market is growing at a moment’s notice.

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