Stablecoins like USDT and USDC have grown into a combined market capitalization exceeding 150 billion dollars, settling trillions in annual transaction volume. They act as the primary trading pair, a hedge against volatility, and an on-ramp for global users.
Increasingly, stablecoins are used for cross-border payments and remittances, offering near-instant settlement at a fraction of traditional wire costs. Regulatory frameworks around the world are now defining how reserves must be held and audited.
Indicative figures; verify with primary sources.