- Circle’s stablecoin USDC surpasses Tether’s USDT in transaction volume, becoming the market leader.
- USDC’s growing dominance reflects its popularity as a transaction currency in the US.
- Tether’s USDT maintains a higher share of coins in circulation but is primarily used as a store of value outside the US, while USDC is predominantly used for transactions within the country.
Circle Internet Financial’s stablecoin, USDC, has experienced a significant rise in transaction volume this year, surpassing Tether’s stablecoin, USDT, to become the market leader. According to data compiled by Visa Inc. in collaboration with Allium Labs, USDC’s growing dominance reflects its increasing popularity as a transaction currency within the United States.
Visa’s Adjusted Stablecoin Metric
Visa, in partnership with Allium Labs, has developed an adjusted stablecoin metric that aims to provide an accurate representation of the stablecoin market while eliminating potential distortions arising from inorganic activities and artificial inflationary practices. By leveraging this metric, Visa offers valuable insights into the current state of the stablecoin landscape.
Circle’s USDC Gains Market Share
Since the beginning of 2024, Circle’s USDC has steadily gained market share, demonstrating remarkable growth. In the past week alone, USDC recorded a remarkable transaction volume of $456 billion, surpassing Tether’s USDT, which reported $89 billion. Notably, USDC has accounted for 50% of the total transactions since January. Visa, who partnered with Circle in 2020, has not provided a specific explanation for the surge in USDC usage, leaving room for speculation.
Defying Expectations
The recent findings challenge the prevailing notion that Tether’s USDT is the dominant stablecoin in the industry. According to data from DefiLlama, Tether’s USDT boasts a significant 68% share of coins in circulation, compared to USDC’s 20%. However, the data compiled by Visa suggests a different narrative, indicating a shift in the stablecoin market dynamics.
Explaining the Shift
Noelle Acheson, the author of the Crypto Is Macro Now newsletter, offers a potential explanation for this unexpected shift. Acheson suggests that USDT primarily serves as a dollar-based store of value held outside the United States, while USDC is predominantly used within the US as a transaction currency. This distinction in utility may provide insights into the findings. Tether has not yet responded to these recent developments.
The Role of Stablecoins
Stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency, aim to maintain a stable value relative to a specified fiat currency, often the US dollar. They play a crucial role in facilitating seamless fund transfers in and out of tokens. Additionally, stablecoins are utilized in various payment scenarios, including cross-border remittances, due to their stability and ease of use.
Interpreting Stablecoin Transaction Data
Interpreting data related to stablecoin transactions can be challenging due to the diverse nature of their usage. Stablecoins are versatile, supporting a wide range of use cases. Transactions can be initiated manually by end-users or programmatically through bots. Cuy Sheffield, head of crypto at Visa, highlighted this complexity in a recent blog post. The multifaceted nature of stablecoin usage makes it difficult to analyze transaction data accurately.
Adjusting for Bot-Related Trades
To provide a more accurate representation, it is necessary to cleanse stablecoin transaction data of trades linked to bots. By excluding bot-related trades, the total transfer volume over the 30 days leading up to April 24 experiences a substantial decrease from $2.65 trillion to $265 billion. This adjustment underscores the impact of automated trading activities on overall transaction volumes.
Circle’s Resilience
The recent findings come after Circle Internet Financial faced challenges during the US banking crisis in the previous year. In December 2023, the total value of USDC in circulation experienced a significant decline, falling from a peak of $56 billion to $23 billion. This decline was attributed to Circle’s revelation of a $3.3 billion exposure to Silicon Valley Bank, which faced significant difficulties. However, recent data from DefiLlama indicates that the value of USDC in circulation has rebounded to $32.8 billion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Circle Internet Financial’s USDC has emerged as the market leader in stablecoin transaction volume, surpassing Tether’s USDT. While Tether maintains dominance in terms of the share of coins in circulation, the significant increase in USDC’s transaction volume suggests a shifting landscape within the stablecoin market. The distinct usage patterns of USDT and USDC, with USDT serving as a dollar-based store of value outside the US and USDC gaining traction as a transaction currency within the country, contribute to this transformative trend. Stablecoins continue to play a vital role in enabling seamless token transfers and facilitating cross-border remittances. These recent developments highlight the dynamic nature of the stablecoin market and its growing influence within the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. The article does not offer sufficient information to make investment decisions, nor does it constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. The content is opinion of the author and does not reflect any view or suggestion or any kind of advise from CryptoNewsBytes.com. The author declares he does not hold any of the above mentioned tokens or received any incentive from any company.
