Why Citi Predicts a 4 Trillion Dollar Future for Stablecoins

Stablecoins are rapidly evolving into a major force in global finance. A recent forecast from Citibank projects that the total issuance of stablecoins could skyrocket to an incredible $4 trillion by 2030, supporting as much as $200 trillion in annual transactions.

A 'ChatGPT Moment' for Blockchain

In a new report, the banking giant has increased its bull-case prediction from $3.7 trillion made earlier this year. This optimistic revision is credited to what Citi describes as blockchain’s “ChatGPT moment,” where stablecoins are fueling mainstream adoption at a faster-than-expected rate. According to Citi analysts Ronit Ghose and Ryan Rugg, stablecoins represent a critical new tool for the financial world, particularly for digitally native businesses and households in frontier markets. This sentiment is materializing as the total market capitalization for stablecoins pushes towards the $300 billion mark, with Wall Street giants increasingly embracing digital dollars, according to data from DefiLlama.

From Fringe to Urgent: Real-World Adoption Soars

The growth isn't just theoretical; it's happening in real-time. Anna Strebl, CEO of the stablecoin payment platform Confirmo, noted an exponential increase in real-world business-to-business transactions. “In 2022, monthly volume in business-to-business stablecoin payments was under $100 million. Today, it’s over $3 billion,” she explained. “That shift shows stablecoins aren’t just a peer-to-peer tool anymore — they’ve become the backbone of global settlement.”

This transition from a niche concept to a corporate necessity was accelerated by regulatory clarity. Ron Tarter, CEO of stablecoin company MNEE, pointed to President Donald Trump's signing of the Genuis Act as a major catalyst. This first federal framework for the industry served as a green light for corporate America, causing stablecoins to go “from fringe to urgent, and every major player feels the pressure to move fast,” Tarter said.

Investment Heats Up in Stablecoin Startups

This widespread optimism is attracting significant investment. Citing DefiLlama data, stablecoin startups have already raised $537 million in 2025, a fivefold increase compared to all of 2024. Major players are making headlines with massive financial moves. Circle, the issuer of USDC, raised $1 billion when it went public in June and maintains a market cap of $36 billion. Meanwhile, Tether, the largest stablecoin operator, is reportedly in discussions to raise $20 billion at a valuation of $500 billion, putting it in a league with tech titans like OpenAI and SpaceX.

The Future Landscape of Digital Dollars

Looking ahead, Citi’s report suggests the future market will not be a “winner takes all” scenario. Instead, analysts anticipate a diverse ecosystem where a variety of issuers and on-chain dollars coexist. Furthermore, the growing demand for dollar-linked digital assets is expected to create “incremental new demand” for US Treasuries. This view is shared by others in high finance, including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who previously predicted that stablecoins could become a $2 trillion market within the next few years.