Visa Study: Stablecoin Transactions Dominated by Bots, Not Humans

A recent analysis by Visa and Allium Labs found that only about 10% of stablecoin transaction volumes represent genuine payments activity, with the majority driven by automated bots and large-scale traders. This underscores the significant role of non-human actors in the stablecoin markets, highlighting the need for regulatory clarity and industry developments to address this issue.

Visa and Allium Labs Study Reveals Limited Organic Activity in Stablecoin Transactions

New York, New York, May 6, 2024 - A comprehensive analysis conducted by Visa, a global leader in payment technology, and Allium Labs, a data analytics firm specializing in blockchain forensics, has shed light on the true nature of stablecoin transactions. The study, conducted in April 2024, examined approximately $2.2 trillion worth of stablecoin transactions and found that less than 10% were generated by actual human users, with the vast majority driven by automated bots and large-scale traders.

Prevalence of Non-Human Actors in Stablecoin Markets

The study, reported exclusively by Bloomberg, sought to isolate organic, human-generated transactions from bot-generated activity and trades executed by large entities. The results revealed a stark contrast between the perceived volume of stablecoin transactions and the actual amount of genuine payments activity. Of the $2.2 trillion analyzed, only approximately $149 billion represented legitimate, organic payments, highlighting the prevalence of non-human actors in the stablecoin markets.

Stablecoin Market Dominated by Major Players

The stablecoin sector, with a total market supply of around $150 billion, is primarily dominated by Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC), which account for market shares of 75% and 22% respectively, according to brokerage firm Bernstein. Stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets such as the U.S. dollar, are designed to maintain a constant value and have become increasingly relevant in the digital currency landscape.

Regulatory and Industry Developments

Recent announcements by companies such as PayPal about issuing their own stablecoins have further intensified the spotlight on the stablecoin sector. Additionally, the prospect of stablecoin regulation is expected to gain traction in the U.S. Congress, with policymakers aiming to establish clear rules for the usage and issuance of stablecoins.

Complexity in Analyzing Stablecoin Transactions

Cuy Sheffield, Visa's Head of Crypto, emphasized the complexities involved in analyzing stablecoin transactions due to the multifaceted uses of blockchains. "There is a lot of noise in this data, given that blockchains are general-purpose networks where stablecoins can be used across a range of use cases," Sheffield explained.

Growth in User Engagement

Despite the challenges in identifying the nature of transactions, the report found a positive trend in user engagement. There was a reported increase in the number of monthly active stablecoin users, with 27.5 million active users across all blockchain networks. This indicates a growing adoption and utilization of stablecoins by the general public amidst the backdrop of automated trading activities.

Conclusion

The Visa and Allium Labs study provides valuable insights into the true nature of stablecoin transactions. The findings highlight the limited organic activity and the prevalence of automated bots and large-scale traders in the market. As regulatory efforts progress and user engagement grows, the stablecoin sector is poised for significant developments in the years to come.