Stablecoin cross-border flows rise 78% amid crypto downturn

Crossborder stablecoin transfers increased sharply over the past year even as the broader crypto market contracted, according to new research from Chainalysis. The report said crossborder stablecoin flows reached $220.3 billion in the 12 months ending June 2026, up 77.5% from $124.2 billion in the prior period. Chainalysis said the increase suggests stablecoins are being used more for payments and transfers than for speculation. The firm pointed to use cases such as supplier payments, remittances and moving savings out of volatile currencies. It also noted that average transfer sizes of about $3,000 were consistent with routine business activity. The report said the growth reflects a wider shift in how stablecoins are being adopted across markets in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. It also highlighted expanding regulatory oversight, including the US GENIUS Act, the EU’s MiCA framework and Hong Kong’s issuer licensing regime. Traditional remittance firms, including Western Union and MoneyGram, have also introduced stablecoinlinked products this year.