According to Chainalysis, stablecoins could increase real economic transaction volume in payments from $28 trillion to $719 trillion by 2035.

With macroeconomic influences included, the firm estimates potential growth to $1.5 quadrillion within the same timeframe.

Generational transfer as a growth engine

The report identifies a major driver as intergenerational wealth transfer, with up to $100 trillion expected to move to millennials and Generation Z over coming decades.

Chainalysis notes that these cohorts already use cryptoassets more actively and tend to view them as everyday financial tools rather than niche investments.

Stablecoins versus card networks

Key features highlighted in the analysis include instant settlement, continuous 24/7 operation and fewer intermediaries, which position stablecoins as direct competitors to traditional card networks.

• Instant settlement reduces counterparty and settlement risk for merchants and consumers.
• 24/7 availability allows payments outside conventional banking hours and across time zones.
• Lower intermediation can cut transaction layers between payer and payee.

Scope and implications

If the trajectory outlined by Chainalysis materializes, stablecoins would shift from specialized instruments to core payment rails, altering the scale and structure of global payment flows.

The report frames this potential expansion as dependent on adoption rates, regulatory developments and broader macroeconomic trends, without assigning a specific probability to the scenario.