Stablecoins processed an estimated $33 trillion in transaction volume during 2025, more than double Visa’s annual payment volume, according to data and statements from Ripple executive Reece Merrick. This growth reflects a major shift toward blockchain-based payments globally. The number of active stablecoin users reportedly surged by approximately 146% across 106 countries, with significant regional adoption in Turkey, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates.
Stablecoins processed roughly $33 trillion in 2025, which is more than double the annual payment volume handled by Visa. Reece Merrick of Ripple stated this adoption is increasing globally, reflecting a major shift in how money moves.
Merrick said the company prepared for this moment as more institutions adopt blockchain payment infrastructure. One response was introducing the dollar-backed Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin for fast cross-border transactions.
Transaction volumes grew about 72% year-over-year while active users grew roughly 146% across 106 countries. Many regions are adopting stablecoins due to economic conditions and a need for efficient payment systems.
In Turkey, stablecoins are popular for protecting against currency volatility, creating one of the region’s largest digital asset markets. Across Africa, they provide a cheaper alternative for remittances, with Nigeria’s annual stablecoin remittance volume reaching around $59 billion.
The United Arab Emirates approved a dirham-backed digital currency called Digital Dirham Stablecoin (DDSC) for institutional settlements. This currency is expected to compete in a global market valued at approximately $170 billion.
