Stablecoin transaction volume could surge to $1.5 quadrillion annually by 2035. That’s according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. The projection reflects demographic shifts, point-of-sale adoption, and regulatory momentum. Stablecoins are becoming core infrastructure in the global payment system. They already processed $28 trillion in economic volume in 2025.
Even under conservative assumptions, Chainalysis projects “adjusted” stablecoin volume could reach $719 trillion per year by 2035. That’s based on a 133% compound annual growth rate observed since 2023. The firm’s bullish scenario pushes that figure to $1.5 quadrillion. It factors in broader adoption catalysts.
At current growth trajectories, stablecoins could match the combined off-chain volumes of Visa and Mastercard. That happens somewhere between 2031 and 2039.
A major driver: an anticipated $100 trillion wealth transfer from Baby Boomers to Millennials and Gen Z. It happens between 2028 and 2048. Chainalysis estimates this generational shift alone could add $508 trillion to annual stablecoin volumes by 2035. Younger cohorts are far more likely to hold crypto. They’ll manage larger portions of global wealth. A 2025 Gemini survey shows nearly half of these younger generations have owned cryptocurrency.
Point-of-sale integration represents another significant growth vector. Chainalysis predicts that embedding stablecoins into everyday checkout experiences could contribute an additional $232 trillion to annual transaction volume by 2035. Both online and in physical stores.
This shift would expand stablecoin use cases beyond trading and DeFi. Into mainstream consumer payments. Remittances. Merchant settlement.
Regulatory and institutional developments are reinforcing the trend. The U.S. GENIUS Act was signed by President Donald Trump. It’s cited in the report as policy support for crypto payment infrastructure.
Major incumbents are placing billion-dollar bets on stablecoin rails. Stripe acquired stablecoin platform Bridge for $1.1 billion. Mastercard’s purchase of BVNK reached up to $1.8 billion.
“Blockchains are becoming the essential ‘plumbing’ of global payments,” the Chainalysis report states. The firm warns that companies delaying adoption may find themselves relying on competitors’ infrastructure.
The forecast underscores how stablecoins are transitioning from niche trading tools to potential pillars of the financial system. The implications span retail payments, cross-border settlement, and generational wealth management.
