As confirmed by IntoTheBlock’s analysis, Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) have hit significant milestones in the crypto market. These two dominant stablecoins have continued to account for almost 50% of transaction volume across all significant cryptocurrencies. This dominance showcases the importance of stablecoins in the rest of the crypto market since they bring liquidity and stability to a highly volatile market with assets such as BTC and ETH.

USDT and USDC now represent nearly 50% of the total transaction volume among major crypto assets, underscoring the crucial role stablecoins play in providing liquidity and stability to the market. pic.twitter.com/iaqf17PtEL

— IntoTheBlock (@intotheblock) October 18, 2024

Why Stablecoins Are Essential

Fiat currency-backed stablecoins such as USDT and USDC do not experience the same volatility inherent in most other cryptocurrencies. Because of their stability, they make it possible for traders and investors to invest in them with little or no concern about a massive dip in value. Furthermore, stablecoin is often used as an intermediary in the crypto market for switching from one coin to another with less effort. Such flexibility has resulted in their increased usage and the volumes of transactions that accompany their use. 

The Shift in Transaction Volume

The chart provided by IntoTheBlock points out that USDT and USDC have experienced a rising trend of dominating the transaction volume within the past year. These stablecoins have slowly and gradually gained more market share from late 2023 to 2024. The data shows that market participants are not only using stablecoins for trading but also to hold value, especially during unstable market conditions.

This shift is significant for several reasons:

  • USDT and USDC introduce a lot of much-needed liquidity and help maintain good order in the crypto markets.

  • Thanks to stablecoins, investors are not risking their funds on the extreme fluctuations of assets such as BTC and ETH.

  • The increasing usage of these coins shows increasing confidence in these stablecoins despite previous issues of transparency and regulation, particularly with Tether.

Implications for the Crypto Market

The growth of USDT and USDC as transaction platforms in the cryptocurrency market has far-reaching implications.  It implies a more evolved market where the traders are more knowledgeable of the risks that they are undertaking. But this also creates pressure on other cryptos to bring and prove more than mere ‘brand assets’ for investors. As more regulatory attention is paid to aspects related to stablecoins, their positioning as actual liquidity providers will be in the spotlight.

Looking Ahead

As for now, USDT and USDC are leading in transactional volumes, and this will only increase in the future. This trend shows that stablecoins are not just a means for trading; they are gradually becoming a fundamental asset in the online economy. The future development of the crypto market may focus on stability and liquidity with changes in the dynamics of crypto trading in the following years.