Stablecoin adoption is accelerating even as broader cryptocurrency markets remain under pressure, signaling a structural shift in how digital dollar tokens are used in global payments.
In its latest annual letter, Stripe revealed that Bridge, the stablecoin orchestration platform it acquired in 2024, recorded more than a fourfold increase in transaction volume throughout 2025. The surge comes despite bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies experiencing significant price declines over the same period.
Stripe described the current environment as a stablecoin summer unfolding during what many investors consider a crypto winter. While bitcoin has fallen sharply from its October peak and digital asset prices remain volatile, stablecoin payment activity has continued to grow steadily, driven by real world use cases rather than speculative trading.
Stablecoins are digital representations of fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar that operate on blockchain networks. Their appeal lies in faster settlement times, lower transaction costs, and programmability compared to traditional banking infrastructure. According to data cited in Stripe’s report, total stablecoin payment volume doubled to approximately 400 billion dollars last year, with about 60 percent of that volume linked to business to business transactions.
Bridge plays a central role in Stripe’s crypto strategy by enabling enterprises to integrate stablecoin payments into existing financial workflows. The company has positioned stablecoins as an alternative for cross border transfers, offering near instant settlement without relying on correspondent banking networks.
Stripe also announced plans to soon launch the mainnet of Tempo, a payments focused blockchain being developed in partnership with Paradigm. The initiative reflects Stripe’s broader commitment to embedding blockchain infrastructure into mainstream financial systems.
The growth in stablecoin utility appears increasingly decoupled from crypto market price cycles. Historically, stablecoin volumes rose and fell in tandem with trading activity on exchanges. However, the latest data suggests that transactional demand is now driven by commerce, remittances, and enterprise settlement rather than speculation.
Rising institutional interest further underscores this trend. Meta is reportedly exploring the launch of its own stablecoin in collaboration with an external partner, aiming to integrate digital payments across its social platforms.
Stripe processed 1.9 trillion dollars in total payment volume across its network last year, representing a 34 percent increase from the previous year. The company also announced a tender offer valuing it at 159 billion dollars, reflecting investor confidence in its expanding fintech ecosystem.
As stablecoins evolve from trading instruments to payment infrastructure, their growing independence from crypto price volatility may mark a new phase in the adoption of digital finance.
