Stablecoins Gain Ground: 90% of Institutions Onboard or Exploring

A new Fireblocks report reveals nearly all major financial institutions are adopting or testing stablecoins, signaling a turning point in digital finance.

The momentum behind stablecoins is accelerating, as a growing share of financial institutions worldwide begin to integrate these digital dollar equivalents into their operations. A recent study from crypto infrastructure firm Fireblocks highlights just how widespread adoption has become — and why stablecoins are quickly becoming a critical tool for modernization across the banking and payments industry.

Stablecoin Adoption Reaches 90% Among Institutions

In a report published on May 15, Fireblocks surveyed 295 senior executives from banks, fintech firms, and payment service providers. The findings paint a clear picture: 90% of institutions are either actively using stablecoins or planning to do so in the near future.

• 49% are already leveraging stablecoins for payment processing
• 23% are running pilot programs
• 18% are in the planning or evaluation phase
• Only 10% remain on the sidelines, undecided

This trend marks a sharp shift in institutional sentiment toward blockchain-based assets pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar. As adoption spreads, Fireblocks describes the stablecoin movement as “a race toward relevance” — driven by customer demand and evolving financial use cases.

“The stablecoin race has become a matter of avoiding obsolescence as customer demand accelerates and use cases mature,” the report stated.

Why Institutions Are Turning to Stablecoins

Stablecoins are increasingly seen as more than just efficient alternatives to legacy banking infrastructure. They are emerging as key enablers of innovation, liquidity, and cost-effective financial operations — especially for cross-border activity.

Among the traditional banks surveyed:

• 58% use stablecoins for cross-border transfers
• 28% accept stablecoins for inbound payments
• Smaller groups apply them to liquidity management (12%), merchant settlement (9%), and B2B invoicing (9%)

The appeal lies in their compatibility with current financial systems. By integrating stablecoins into existing treasury operations, institutions can streamline settlements, reduce capital requirements, and accelerate transaction times — all without a complete overhaul of legacy infrastructure.

Faster Settlements and New Opportunities

For many respondents, speed is the name of the game. Faster settlement times were cited by 48% as the leading advantage of stablecoin use. But the benefits don’t stop there.

Additional reported benefits include:

• Improved transparency and auditability
• More efficient liquidity management
• Enhanced security
• Lower transaction costs
• Greater integration across payment systems

Fireblocks’ Senior Vice President of Payments and Network, Ran Goldi, emphasized that stablecoins have matured into a strategic asset, not just a backend tool for efficiency.

“Our research shows that 90% of firms are moving forward with stablecoin implementations because they see it as a key lever for growth,” said Goldi.

“Stablecoins have become an enabler of business innovation, not just an efficiency play.”

Stripe, Citigroup Signal Growing Market Momentum

The broader ecosystem is also leaning into this transformation. On May 7, Stripe announced the launch of Stablecoin Financial Accounts, allowing businesses in over 100 countries to hold and transact in stablecoins backed by the U.S. dollar. The product aims to provide a modern alternative to traditional business banking services, leveraging stablecoin speed and global reach.

Meanwhile, traditional banking giants are forecasting exponential growth. Citigroup estimates the stablecoin market could balloon from its current $240 billion market cap to over $2 trillion by 2030. The bank’s base-case scenario anticipates stablecoin supply reaching $1.6 trillion, with a more optimistic trajectory pushing the figure to $3.7 trillion within the decade.

Citigroup attributes this anticipated growth to two primary factors:

• Expanding interest from institutional players and public sector entities
• The emergence of regulatory clarity, which is expected to reduce risk and attract broader adoption

The Road Ahead: Stablecoins as the Financial Layer of the Future

With billions in daily trading volume and increasing mainstream utility, stablecoins are solidifying their role as the foundational layer of a new, digitized financial ecosystem. Their capacity to bridge traditional finance with decentralized technologies is making them indispensable — not just for crypto-native firms, but for global financial institutions striving to remain competitive.

For banks, the message is clear: adopting stablecoins is no longer optional. It’s a strategic imperative to meet client expectations, reduce inefficiencies, and innovate within an evolving market.

As Fireblocks’ report underscores, institutions that delay action risk being left behind in a digital finance environment that is rapidly advancing. In this context, stablecoins have emerged not only as a solution to the inefficiencies of cross-border payments, but as a gateway to a broader transformation of global financial infrastructure.

Conclusion

The rise of stablecoins reflects a broader evolution in the financial sector — one where efficiency, transparency, and digital readiness are becoming non-negotiable. As 90% of surveyed institutions move toward stablecoin integration, the message is clear: the future of finance is being built on blockchain-backed digital assets. And for institutions looking to remain relevant, the time to act is now.