B2B Stablecoin Payments Surge 730% YoY in 2025, Driven by SMEs and Cross‑Border Trade
Stablecoin activity in the business‑to‑business (B2B) segment jumped more than seven‑fold last year, according to a new market study released by Artemis and Stablecon. The growth reflects a rapidly expanding use case for programmable digital assets in supply‑chain financing and international trade.
The numbers
- Year‑over‑year growth: B2B stablecoin transactions rose by over 730 % in 2025 compared with 2024.
- Total volume: Annual stablecoin payments reached ≈ $390 billion, more than twice the previous year’s total. Roughly 60 % of that flow came from B2B activity.
- Geographic distribution:
- United States led inbound stablecoin flows, averaging $127 billion per month.
- China ranked second with about $71 billion per month.
- Hong Kong followed at roughly $51 billion per month.
- Payment type breakdown: Card‑linked stablecoin purchases, although a smaller slice of the market, surged ≈ 840 % YoY, underscoring the diversification of use cases beyond pure on‑chain transfers.
Who is adopting?
The Artemis data scientist interviewed by The Defiant, Andrew Van Aken, notes that adoption is concentrated among small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). Companies ranging from renewable‑energy turbine manufacturers to boutique apparel producers and auto‑parts distributors are experimenting with stablecoins to cut settlement times and reduce reliance on legacy banking corridors.
“The narrative that stablecoins are primarily a tool for emerging‑market economies is changing,” Van Aken explained. “We see the highest‑volume payment markets—especially developed economies—gravitating toward these digital assets for efficiency gains.”
Why the boom?
- Speed of settlement – Stablecoins settle on public blockchains within minutes, a stark contrast to the multi‑day clearance cycles of traditional correspondent banking.
- Cross‑border friction reduction – By bypassing multiple intermediaries, firms can lower transaction costs and avoid currency conversion delays, a benefit highlighted by the report’s link between stablecoin usage and faster international payments.
- Programmable finance – Smart‑contract capabilities enable automated escrow, conditional payments, and real‑time reconciliation, features attractive to technology‑forward SMEs.
- Regulatory clarity – In several jurisdictions, stablecoins backed by fiat reserves have gained a clearer regulatory footing, encouraging corporate treasuries to treat them as a viable cash‑equivalent.
Implications for the broader crypto ecosystem
- Liquidity demand – The surge in B2B volumes translates into heightened demand for liquid, low‑volatility tokens, reinforcing the role of major stablecoins (e.g., USDC, USDT) as cornerstone assets in DeFi liquidity pools.
- Institutional adoption pathway – The data suggests that corporate usage may precede retail uptake, potentially shaping future compliance frameworks and custodial solutions.
- Competitive pressure on traditional banks – Faster, cheaper settlement options could accelerate the push for banks to integrate blockchain‑based payment rails or develop their own digital‑currency offerings.
- Geopolitical considerations – The prominence of the United States, China, and Hong Kong as stablecoin recipients highlights how major economies are already leveraging the technology for trade, which could influence policy discussions on digital‑currency sovereign initiatives.
Key takeaways
- B2B stablecoin payments expanded by more than 730 % YoY in 2025, signaling a decisive shift toward digital‑asset‑based settlements in commercial contexts.
- SMEs are the primary drivers, using stablecoins to accelerate cash flow and reduce banking friction.
- Developed economies dominate the volume landscape, challenging the perception that stablecoins are confined to emerging‑market use cases.
- Cross‑border advantages and programmable features are the main catalysts behind the rapid adoption curve.
- Card‑linked stablecoin transactions also surged, indicating diversification of stablecoin payment methods beyond pure on‑chain transfers.
The Artemis‑Stablecon report paints a picture of a maturing stablecoin market that is no longer a niche experiment but an increasingly mainstream component of global B2B finance. As companies continue to prioritize speed, cost efficiency, and programmable capabilities, stablecoins are likely to cement their role as a bridge between traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems.
Source: https://thedefiant.io/news/infrastructure/b2b-stablecoin-payments-grew-over-730-percent-yoy-in-2025
