Stablecoin transfers quadruple to $891B as US banks expand adoption: Report
Coinbase reports growing adoption by banks and businesses, even as stablecoin market capitalization remains largely unchanged over the past year.
Coinbase's research reveals a surge in stablecoin transfers, with $891 billion processed in the third quarter of 2026, more than four times the volume from early 2023. The majority of these transactions, 73%, took place outside US banking hours, indicating a growing need for 24/7 banking services. Major US banks, including seven of the top ten, have begun testing stablecoins for cross-border payments, while 30% of mid-market companies conducting international commerce are already using or piloting the technology.
The adoption extends to B2B transactions, with a 36% year-over-year increase. Despite the expanding use, the overall market value of stablecoins remains relatively stable, hovering around $301.42 billion, a slight drop from $303.14 billion in October 2025. Researchers estimate that shifting 80% of global transactions to stablecoins could boost annual GDP by $155 billion and free up $3 trillion in liquidity, currently held by banks for cross-border payments.
However, widespread adoption could also lead to reduced bank lending, potentially offsetting some of the advantages of faster and cheaper transactions. Meanwhile, a separate survey by the National Cryptocurrency Association indicates that nearly half of US adults, around 112 million people, would be more inclined to open a bank account with crypto services or use their bank for more financial activities.
Written by urgent.news from Cointelegraph's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
