Stablecoin supply stalls while payments jump 45% in 2026

Stablecoin supply has remained largely flat over the first nine months of 2026, even as on-chain payment and transaction volumes surged significantly. Industry executives and analysts attribute the divergence to weaker cryptocurrency trading demand and higher token velocity, as existing stablecoin balances are reused more frequently for cross-border and consumer payments rather than requiring new net issuance. Open article →