Stablecoins surpass $300 billion: how shock types redefine blockchain activity

RetailTherapist · 2026-02-05T04:14:17+00:00

The global supply of stablecoins exceeded $300 billion in 2025, despite market volatility. Shocks have influenced their distribution and migration across multiple blockchains, highlighting Base with a 121% increase in transactions.

RetailTherapist

2026-02-05 04:14:17

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The global stablecoin supply reached a historic milestone by surpassing $300 billion at the end of 2025, according to ARK Invest’s quarterly report. This significant growth contrasts with the types of shocks that affected the markets, particularly during October, when volatility slowed the pace of expansion. Beyond the aggregate figures, these shocks have transformed the way assets are distributed and circulate throughout the blockchain ecosystem.

Market Shocks and Their Impact on Stablecoin Dynamics

According to NS3.AI analysis, although growth slowed after the October shocks, activity in decentralized finance continued to expand as a layer for payments and cryptocurrency transactions during the fourth quarter. The difference lies in how these shocks are distributed across different networks: while some lead to consolidation on established platforms, others drive diversification toward new alternatives.

The Great Migration: DeFi Moves Between Blockchains

Activity was not concentrated on a single network. Instead, DeFi usage strategically shifted across multiple blockchains. Ethereum and Tron, which historically dominated stablecoin volume, experienced significant changes in their market share. This phenomenon reflects how shocks related to regulation, transaction fees, and network efficiency are causing a permanent reconfiguration of the ecosystem.

Base Emerges as a New Power in Stablecoin Transactions

The most notable performance came from Base, which saw a 121% increase in stablecoin transaction volume, reaching approximately $3 trillion. This figure not only surpassed Ethereum and Tron but also established Base as an emerging platform in the competition for stablecoin volume. Base’s growth illustrates how market shocks accelerate the adoption of new, more efficient and cost-effective blockchain solutions.

The 2025 outlook demonstrates that the stablecoin market is not only growing in absolute volume but is also continuously reshaped in response to both internal and external market shocks.

ARK-9.95%

DEFI-1.18%

ETH-7.68%

TRX-2.06%

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