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IMF Warns: Stablecoins Overtake Bitcoin, Sparking Global Fears
6 Dec
Summary
- Stablecoin flows hit record 2025 highs, surpassing Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- IMF warns stablecoins may accelerate currency substitution and disrupt markets.
- Asia leads stablecoin usage, with rapid growth in Africa and Latin America.
Cross-border stablecoin flows have reached unprecedented 2025 highs, surpassing even Bitcoin and Ethereum transactions for the first time. This significant development has prompted a sharp warning from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which expressed concerns over potential currency substitution and disruption to capital flows in emerging markets.
The IMF's latest analysis indicates a rapid market expansion, with total stablecoin issuance exceeding $300 billion. Primarily driven by Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), these digital assets facilitated an estimated $23 trillion in trading volume in 2024, a 90% annual increase. This marks a structural shift, with stablecoins evolving from niche settlement tools to dominant drivers of global crypto activity.
While the United States and Europe remain key trading hubs, Asia has emerged as the leader in stablecoin usage. Furthermore, regions such as Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East are experiencing the fastest growth relative to their GDPs. This trend suggests a growing preference for digital dollars in economies facing high inflation or capital controls, presenting both utility and regulatory challenges.
