Introduction

Stablecoins are everywhere in crypto. They’re easy to hold, easy to trade, and stay fixed in value. In 2024 alone, stablecoins were used for more than $35 trillion worth of transactions. That’s more than the GDP of the United States. But less than 2% of that volume was used for real-world payments.

The rest of the activity was mostly within crypto. People moved stablecoins between wallets, traded them on exchanges, or used them in DeFi. Almost none of it reached regular, day-to-day use like buying groceries, paying bills, or booking travel.

That gap shows something important. Stablecoins are clearly working as a tool in the crypto world. But in the real world, they still haven’t arrived. The systems to spend, send, and accept stablecoins in daily life are still being built. And closing this gap is where the next wave of innovation is happening.

Key Highlights

• $35 trillion in stablecoin transactions happened in 2024. This shows how deeply stablecoins are integrated into the crypto ecosystem.

• Less than 2% of that volume was used for real-world payments like shopping, bills, or travel. Most of it stayed within crypto platforms.

• The gap is not due to lack of demand. It's because there are still very few tools that make spending stablecoins as easy as swiping a card or using Apple Pay.

• Wallets and apps are improving, but most still focus on storage and trading, not daily use.

• The next big step for crypto adoption is making stablecoins usable in the real world. That means better wallets, smoother on-ramps, and partnerships with payment networks.

The infrastructure is catching up. Once stablecoins are easy to spend, they'll move from being just a trading tool to a real alternative for everyday payments.

​​Why stablecoins are stuck in the crypto world

Stablecoins were created to bring the best of both worlds, the speed of crypto and the stability of fiat currency. And by the numbers, they are clearly being used. Thirty five trillion dollars in transactions during 2024 is massive. But the real surprise is how little of that actually touches the outside world.

Most stablecoin activity today happens on exchanges, in DeFi protocols, or between wallets. People use them to avoid volatility, trade faster, or earn yield. These are all valid uses, but they keep stablecoins locked inside the crypto circle.

When it comes to real-world spending like paying a restaurant bill, sending rent to a landlord, or buying flight tickets, stablecoin usage drops sharply. Less than 2 percent of stablecoin volume in 2024 went to these kinds of payments. That is not because people do not want to spend stablecoins. It is because the tools to do that are either missing or too complicated.

There are many small blockers that add up. Not enough businesses accept stablecoins. Payment cards linked to crypto are still rare. Many wallets are focused only on storage or trading, not everyday usage. Even converting stablecoins to local currency is often slow or expensive.

Stablecoins have the potential to be a better alternative to bank transfers and international payments. They work 24 hours a day, across borders, and settle fast. But without the right apps and integrations, that potential stays unused.

The problem is not the stablecoin itself. It is the user experience around it. Until that improves, stablecoins will remain powerful tools inside crypto but nearly invisible outside it.

Why real world use still matters

Trading and DeFi will always be a big part of crypto, but real-world use is what makes stablecoins truly valuable. If people can pay for things directly with USDC or send money home without needing a bank, it opens up a new kind of freedom.

The main problem is that most wallets and apps are not built for everyday use. They make it easy to swap or stake but not to spend. To cross that gap, stablecoins need better tools. They need wallets with payment cards, faster on-ramps and off-ramps, and simple user interfaces.

This is the shift companies like Ribbit are working on. It is not just about storing tokens. It is about turning them into something people can actually use in daily life, like paying for coffee or splitting rent.

Once that happens, the numbers will change. That 2 percent will grow, and stablecoins will stop being just a part of crypto. They will become a part of everyday finance.

Real-world use is not a side feature. It is the reason stablecoins were created in the first place. The infrastructure is catching up, and the next big move is getting crypto out of screens and into the real world.

In short

Stablecoins are already a huge part of the crypto world. But for them to truly matter, they need to become part of daily life. The numbers show a clear gap. Trillions in volume, but barely any real-world usage.

That gap exists because most apps still treat stablecoins like trading tools, not money people can actually spend. The future of stablecoins depends on solving that. People should be able to use USDC or other stablecoins to pay bills, shop online, and send money just like they would with regular currency.

Once that becomes easy, stablecoins can replace slow bank transfers, expensive remittance services, and limited payment apps. They offer instant settlement, global reach, and full control without needing a bank.

The technology is ready. The use cases are clear. What is missing are the bridges that connect stablecoins to daily spending. That is where the next phase of adoption will come from.

FAQs

1. What are stablecoins used for today? Most stablecoins are used within the crypto ecosystem. This includes trading on exchanges, interacting with DeFi protocols, or moving funds between wallets. Very little is used for day-to-day spending.

2. Why is real-world usage still so low? The main reasons are lack of infrastructure and user-friendly tools. Most merchants do not accept stablecoins. Many wallets are not designed for payments. Also, converting stablecoins to local currency is often slow or costly.

3. What could increase real-world adoption of stablecoins? Better wallets with built-in payment cards, easier on-ramps and off-ramps, and smoother user experiences will help. Once spending stablecoins feels like using a regular finance app, usage will grow.

4. Are stablecoins better than traditional currencies for payments? In many ways, yes. They settle faster, work across borders, and do not rely on banks. This makes them useful for remittances, online shopping, and other global payments.

5. How is Ribbit helping with real-world adoption? Ribbit is building tools that turn stablecoins into everyday money. This includes a payment card, support for real-world bills and bookings, and an easy-to-use wallet interface. The goal is to make stablecoins usable for anyone, not just crypto experts.

6. Will stablecoins replace regular money? Stablecoins are unlikely to replace cash or bank money completely, but they can become a strong alternative. Especially in places where banking access is limited, they offer real benefits.