- Stablecoins account for 45% of crypto payments on NOWPayments, up from 7% in 2020.
- Tron’s TRC-20 network dominates usage, while USDC gains ground on USDT.
- Businesses favor stablecoins for predictability, lower volatility, and cross-border speed.
Stablecoins now account for nearly half of all crypto transactions processed by merchants, according to new data from payment gateway NOWPayments.
The company said that 45% of all crypto payments on its platform are made in stablecoins, reflecting a steady shift from speculative assets toward more predictable digital currencies. Usage has surged from just 7.1% in 2020 to 57% in early 2025, with stablecoins now widely viewed as the most practical option for everyday transactions.
The trend is underpinned by merchant demand for payment stability. By eliminating price volatility between transaction and settlement, stablecoins such as USDT and USDC give businesses a predictable cash flow while preserving the benefits of borderless crypto transfers.
While USDT remains the dominant option, its share has gradually declined—from nearly 100% in 2019 to just under 96% today—as alternatives like USDC gain traction.
Tron’s TRC-20 network leads adoption thanks to low fees and high throughput, particularly among high-volume industries like gambling and affiliate platforms. Ethereum’s ERC-20 remains strong in B2B services and SaaS payments, while BNB Chain and Polygon are increasingly popular for balancing speed and cost.
Kate Lifshits, CEO of NOWPayments, said stablecoins are no longer niche:
“Stablecoins have become the preferred choice for both merchants and customers, and now it’s up to service providers to deliver the optimal payment landscape.”
The company, founded in 2019, supports over 300 digital assets and 20+ stablecoins. It offers auto conversion, fiat settlement, instant payouts, and custody features, lowering technical barriers that once limited crypto payment adoption.
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah
