Stablecoins Evolving into Global Financial Infrastructure, a16z Report Finds

A recent study by a16z highlights the transformation of stablecoins from initial roles as transaction settlement tools and value storage to becoming a part of global financial infrastructure. According to Odaily, the report indicates that following the regulatory clarity provided by the U.S. GENIUS Act, the stablecoin market has seen accelerated growth. By the first quarter of 2026, adjusted transaction volume reached approximately $4.5 trillion. The report reveals a 128% year-on-year increase in consumer-to-business (C2B) stablecoin transactions, totaling 284.6 million transactions. Additionally, monthly collateral deposits for stablecoin card projects surged from nearly zero at the end of 2024 to over $300 million by early 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of stablecoin payment scenarios. Furthermore, the velocity of stablecoin circulation has increased from 2.6 times at the beginning of 2024 to six times, indicating a shift from being held to being frequently used. a16z suggests that the focus of stablecoin applications is moving from cross-border payments to local payment infrastructure, with significant growth observed in markets such as Asia and Brazil.