US Dollar Stablecoins Set to Dominate Amid Global Blockchain Frenzy, Says Citi

Citi's Global Perspectives and Solutions division released a new report last week, forecasting major growth in blockchain and stablecoins by the end of the decade.

Citi has forecasted that U.S. dollar stablecoins could surge to $3.7 trillion in the bull case, driving an unprecedented blockchain-fueled transformation of global finance by 2030.

The bank’s Global Perspectives and Solutions division released a new report titled “Digital Dollars—Banks and Public Sector Drive Blockchain Adoption” last week, forecasting major growth in blockchain and stablecoins by the end of the decade.

The team at Citi believes that blockchain adoption in finance and government is entering a pivotal phase, fueled largely by regulatory shifts in the United States. Citi’s analysts highlighted: “2025 has the potential to be blockchain’s ‘ChatGPT’ moment for adoption in the financial and public sector, driven by regulatory change.” The report reflected a broad consensus that the coming months could mark a transformative period as blockchain and stablecoins move into mainstream financial infrastructure.

The most striking prediction focused on the future of stablecoins, with Citi providing multiple growth scenarios. The analysts projected:

The total outstanding supply of stablecoins could grow to $1.6 trillion by 2030 in our base case and to $3.7 trillion by 2030 in our bull case.

“That said, the number could be closer to half a trillion dollars if adoption and integration challenges persist,” they noted. The report explained that favorable regulation, technological improvements, and growing institutional adoption could lead to an explosive rise in stablecoin usage globally. However, the team also cautioned that market expansion is not guaranteed if risks such as depegging events or regulatory fragmentation materialize.

In terms of currency composition, Citi indicated that U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins would continue to dominate over the coming years, despite international competition. The report stated:

We expect the stablecoin supply will remain U.S. dollar denominated (approx. 90%), with non-U.S. countries promoting national currency CBDCs.

While dollar dominance is likely to persist through 2030, Citi analysts noted that efforts in Europe and China to push local currency digital alternatives could slightly shift market dynamics. Overall, the findings suggest that while blockchain and stablecoins face substantial challenges ahead, they are positioned to become an even greater force in reshaping global finance by the end of the decade.