In December, the cryptocurrency industry experienced a notable increase in on-chain revenue, with stablecoins playing a dominant role.
According to DeFiLlama, stablecoin issuers collectively generated over $664 million, representing more than 40% of the $1.5 billion earned across crypto protocols during the month.
Tether, the issuer of USDT, emerged as the standout performer, earning $532.10 million. Close behind was Circle, responsible for USDC, which brought in $132.77 million. Together, these two companies control nearly 90% of the stablecoin market, which is now valued at over $200 billion.
Stablecoins continue to prove their utility in the crypto space by offering a buffer against market volatility. Their ability to maintain price stability has made them an essential tool for traders and a reliable link to the US dollar, especially in regions with unstable economies.
Projections suggest the stablecoin market could expand to $400 billion by 2025, offering significant opportunities for profit. This potential growth has already attracted interest from emerging players like Ripple and BitGo, signaling increasing competition in the sector.
A DeFi initiative with links to the Trump family, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), is planning to distribute a new stablecoin to its community as part of a live test of its airdrop system.
Ripple is stepping up its presence in traditional finance with the acquisition of Hidden Road, a prime brokerage platform serving institutional clients.
Once a headline-grabbing giant in the crypto space, Terra Classic (LUNC) is back in the spotlight as co-founder Do Kwon faces a pivotal court hearing in the U.S. on April 10.
A wallet believed to be connected to World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a decentralized finance platform backed by the U.S. President Donald Trump, has reportedly offloaded millions in Ethereum (ETH) far below its purchase price—raising eyebrows in the crypto community.