a16z Report: Stablecoins Reach $4.5T in Q1 Transactions, Shift to Local Payments

Gate News message, April 25 — According to a new a16z report, stablecoins have evolved from crypto settlement tools into global financial infrastructure, with adoption accelerating across Asia, Brazil, and other emerging markets. The shift in focus has moved from cross-border to local payments as regulatory clarity and improved blockchain performance enable broader real-world integration.

Q1 adjusted transaction volume reached $4.5 trillion following the implementation of relevant regulatory frameworks. Consumer-to-business (C2B) payment transactions surged 128% year-over-year to 2.846 billion transactions. Stablecoin card monthly deposit collateral grew from near zero at end-2024 to over $300 million, with payment use cases expanding rapidly.

Velocity of stablecoin circulation increased from 2.6x in early 2024 to 6x currently, reflecting a shift from holding to high-frequency usage. The a16z report emphasizes that regulatory clarity and enhanced blockchain performance—enabling low-cost, near-instant settlement—are key drivers reshaping global payments and settlement infrastructure.