The volume of stablecoin transactions has surpassed $28 trillion globally, driven primarily by real demand in emerging markets. However, startup activity and venture capital funding remain heavily concentrated in the United States and Europe, creating a significant gap in the crypto ecosystem.
While traditional financial institutions in the West are exploring tokenization, millions of users in Latin America and Africa are using these digital assets as an essential tool in their daily lives. Why isn't capital keeping pace with adoption rates?
The contrast between actual use and funding
During the 2025 year, The global volume of stablecoin transactions exceeded $28 trillionThis figure surpasses the combined volume of traditional payment giants like Visa and Mastercard. Despite this historic milestone, the geographical distribution of project creators and venture capital tells a very different story. Of the more than 3.000 companies focused on crypto and financial technology worldwide, approximately 1.300 are headquartered in the United States.
This concentration in North America and Europe contrasts sharply with the reality of the market. Emerging regions, including Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, account for only 32% of registered companies, despite being the main drivers of daily usage volume. In Western markets, stablecoins are increasingly perceived as an institutional product, where large entities are exploring corporate liquidation under clear regulatory frameworks such as the MiCA Regulation in Europe.
Latin America and Africa lead the adoption
The real traction for these digital assets lies in countries where they solve immediate financial problems. In Nigeria, for example, more than 26 million people use crypto, representing more than one in eight adults in the country. Of this group, 59% hold USDT in their portfolios, using it as a safe haven against the volatility of the local currency.
The scenario in Latin America is equally revealing. In Argentina, stablecoin purchases constitute more than half of all transactions on exchanges, driven by a complex economic context and currency controls that hinder access to the traditional dollar. Meanwhile, Brazil recorded $318.800 billion in crypto inflows through mid-2025, with more than 90% of that flow channeled through stablecoins. According to recent macroeconomic data, these asset flows in Latin America already represent 7,7% of the region's GDP. If you want to better understand how they work at a technical level, you can explore the Bit2Me Academy to delve deeper into its technology.
From speculation to B2B utility
Western narratives often frame stablecoins as infrastructure for complex use cases, programmable settlement, or corporate treasury management. In those markets, they enhance existing systems. However, in emerging markets, they are the end product. For millions of users, they represent the first reliable way to digitally store value and transact without relying on intermediaries who could suddenly restrict access.
Beyond retail use, the business sector is rapidly adopting this technology. B2B stablecoin payments in Latin America grew from less than $100 million per month in early 2023 to over $6.000 billion per month by mid-2025. This growth multiplied the volume by 60 in just 30 months, driven by cross-border trade rather than speculation. Building a stablecoin portfolio has become a fundamental operational strategy for many companies operating internationally.
The challenge for local creators
Despite overwhelming demand, the founders building the infrastructure for these markets are often located far from venture capital hubs. Companies that succeed in these regions are typically those led by teams with a deep understanding of the local financial corridors from within. Operating mass-market consumer products entails high compliance costs and complex banking relationships, which has led many platforms to pivot to pure B2B solutions to remain viable.
The crypto ecosystem faces the challenge of aligning development funding with real-world utility. As long as capital remains concentrated in cities where the need for stablecoins is marginal, significant opportunities to support the developers in Lagos, São Paulo, or Buenos Aires—who are shaping the future of digital currency—will be missed. To operate these assets transparently and in compliance with regulations, it is vital to use a Secure exchange.
FAQ
Why are stablecoins so popular in emerging markets?
In countries with high inflation or currency restrictions, stablecoins offer a digital alternative for preserving value and making fast cross-border payments. They act as an essential financial tool for millions of individuals and businesses seeking stability in the face of local volatility.
What is the MiCA Regulation and how does it affect stablecoins?
MiCA is the European Union's regulatory framework designed to govern crypto-asset markets. It establishes strict transparency, audit, and reserve requirements for stablecoin issuers, ensuring that users operate in an environment with known and managed risk.
How are B2B payments with crypto evolving?
Business-to-business payments using stablecoins have experienced exponential growth, especially in Latin America. They allow for faster and cheaper international settlements compared to traditional banking systems, facilitating cross-border trade without the usual frictions.
The discrepancy between the stablecoin volume map and the map of their creators underscores a crucial maturation phase in the crypto industry. While traditional venture capital continues to invest in institutional infrastructure in the West, the true revolution of mass adoption is already happening in the Global South, driven by real and tangible economic needs.
As global regulations, such as the MiCA framework in Europe, bring greater clarity and confidence to the sector, we are likely to see a gradual rebalancing. Projects that successfully combine regulatory compliance with solutions tailored to high-demand markets will define the next decade of the digital financial ecosystem.
Investing in cryptoassets is not fully regulated, may not be suitable for retail investors due to high volatility and there is a risk of losing all invested amounts.
