Circle’s USDC stablecoin has set a new record, reaching $1 billion in monthly transactions and $18 billion in all-time volume.
USDC is establishing itself as a leader in the stablecoin market thanks to regulatory clarity, blockchain scalability, and its impact on global payments.
In its recent report on the State of the USDC Economy in 2025, Circle revealed that the US dollar-backed stablecoin has reached an unprecedented milestone, reflecting not only its exponential growth but also its central role in transforming the global financial system.
The exponential growth of USDC
Circle's report highlights that USDC circulation grew by 78% year-on-year, outperforming other large-scale stablecoins. This growth is largely due to mass adoption in emerging and developed markets, where users are looking for faster and cheaper alternatives to carry out financial transactions.
Besides, andThe number of wallet holders with balances over $10 increased by 45%, reaching 3,9 million users. This figure is particularly relevant according to the company, as it shows how USDC is reaching the general public, not just institutions or specialized investors.
Regarding the stablecoin's breakthrough, Jeremy Allaire, co-founder and CEO of Circle, said:
“We are fulfilling our mission to increase global economic development through frictionless value platforms. USDC is not just a tool for cryptocurrency markets; it is a solution for global payments, remittances, and inclusive financial access.”
The Pillars of USDC's Success
The newly released report identifies three key factors that have driven the growth of USDC. Among them, the regulatory clarity, Scalability in blockchains and the improved user experience, which has managed to remove technical barriers and make blockchain technology accessible to everyone.
Circle highlighted that as governments and regulators have established clearer rules for stablecoins, confidence in USDC has been growing. Last year, several countries, including the United States, the European Union, and Singapore, implemented specific regulatory frameworks for these stablecoins, helping companies like Circle to operate with greater transparency and security.
On the other hand, improvements in blockchain infrastructure have been instrumental in USDC’s success. The company underlined that blockchains such as Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana have solved problems related to scalability, allowing for faster and more secure transactions. This increased scalability, which also translates into lower costs, has significantly benefited USDC, whose transactions now cost just a fraction of a cent, making it an attractive option for cross-border payments.
Finally, by simplifying the user experience, Circle has achieved greater adoption of USDC, which has been increasingly spreading to applications accessible around the world.
Use cases driving stablecoin adoption
According to Circle’s report, USDC has not only established itself as a key tool for cryptocurrency trading. The company highlighted that its versatility has made it a one-stop solution for a wide range of financial applications, ranging from cross-border payments to humanitarian aid. Overall, this stablecoin is transforming the way people and businesses interact with money, Circle said.
Among the most notable use cases of USDC are: cross border paymentsRemittances and international transactions have found in this stablecoin a faster and cheaper alternative than traditional systems, since USDC allows money to be sent and received almost instantly and with minimal costs.
On the other hand, the stablecoin has proven to be a fundamental piece in the digital capital marketsAccording to Circle, its stability and liquidity have made it the preferred choice for decentralized trading and lending platforms (DeFi). In 2024, the transaction volume on these markets exceeded $10 trillion, a clear indicator of its relevance in the crypto ecosystem.
Another use case of USDC that has gained relevance today is the humanitarian aidCircle noted that nonprofits are using its stablecoin to efficiently distribute funds to crisis areas and that the transparency inherent in blockchain transactions ensures that resources reach those who need them most, reducing the risk of corruption and misappropriation of funds.
In the business sector, USDC is also making a difference. Companies such as Standard Chartered and WorldPay have adopted this stablecoin to make B2B payments, taking advantage of its speed and low costs.
Finally, Circle acknowledged that despite the significant progress made with USDC, there is still a long way to go to compete with traditional financial giants.
