The Ethereum network reached a historic milestone by processing a total volume of 8 trillion dollars through stablecoin transfers on Ethereum during the fourth quarter of 2025. According to recent data provided by the analysis platform Token Terminal, this figure represents almost double what was recorded in the second quarter of the same year.
This explosive growth was supported by a massive increase in the issuance of stable assets within the main network. According to BlockWorks reports, the circulating supply of these coins increased by 43% during the year, going from 127 billion to 181 billion dollars by the end of December.
Likewise, this phenomenon coincides with historical peaks in user activity and the processing capacity of the ecosystem. Daily transactions reached 2.23 million in late December, which represents an increase of 48% compared to the same period last year. On the other hand, Etherscan reports confirm that the number of active unique addresses exceeded one million daily users for the first time.
Consolidation of financial infrastructure and absolute dominance of the institutional market
The registered volume is not simply a speculative figure, but reflects real global payments executing directly on the blockchain. This level of adoption precedes the massive integrations of traditional systems and the complete tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). Currently, Ethereum maintains a market share of 65% in the total value of tokenized assets on-chain, consolidating itself as the predominant settlement layer for modern finance.
Furthermore, if Layer 2 solutions and EVM-compatible networks are included, the network’s dominance exceeds 70% of the total share. Regarding the issuance of specific assets, Tether (USDT) continues to lead with 187 billion dollars in global circulation, of which more than half reside exclusively on Ethereum. Therefore, the network has become the preferred financial rail for the movement of high-liquidity institutional capital.
What impact will this record volume have on the future of cross-border payments?
The magnitude of these figures suggests that the infrastructure is already built and that institutional adoption is finally reaching its point of maturity. The network’s resilience in the face of increased traffic demonstrates that the use of digital assets for daily settlements is a tangible reality. Investors are closely watching how this massive flow of capital could stabilize the value of the underlying asset in the long term.
Finally, future perspectives indicate that Ethereum will continue to lead the transition towards a more transparent and efficient financial system. The ability to process volumes that rival traditional payment systems positions the network at an incomparable competitive advantage. In this way, the operational success of the last quarter marks the beginning of an era where decentralized finance becomes invisible but fundamental.
