Ethereum Layer 2 networks have achieved a historic milestone, with stablecoin holdings reaching $13.5 billion.
This surge reflects the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi) across the blockchain ecosystem.
Demand for Stablecoins Rises As Arbitrum and Base Lead Ethereum Layer 2s TVL
According to Tie Terminal, Ethereum-based Layer 2 networks now hold $13.5 billion in stablecoins, primarily led by Tether (USDT), Circle’s USD Coin (USDC), and Ethena’s USDe.
This growth has helped push the global stablecoin market capitalization to over $202 billion, excluding algorithmic stablecoins.
Matthias Seidl, co-founder of block space analytics firm growthepie.xyz noted this trend in a December 15 post on X.
“Layer 2s just reached a new ATH in stables locked on them,” Seidl remarked, reflecting the growing utility of stablecoins.
According to DeFiLlama, Ethereum Layer 2 networks have seen substantial growth in stablecoin adoption, with Arbitrum One leading the pack at $6.75 billion in locked value.
Coinbase native blockchain network, Base follows closely with $3.56 billion. Other networks, such as Optimism and zkSync, also contribute significantly to the ecosystem, underscoring the scalability and efficiency of Ethereum’s Layer 2 solutions.
This record-breaking milestone comes as the stablecoin market has rebounded from a low of $135 billion at the end of 2022 to surpass $202 billion in December 2024.
Tether (USDT) leads the charge, boasting a $140 billion market cap, while USDC follows at $42 billion.
The Future of Stablecoin Adoption in 2025 Amid growing Integration of USDC into Layer 2 networks
Arthur Azizov, CEO of B2BINPAY, predicts that stablecoin adoption could accelerate further in 2025, driven by favorable regulatory developments such as the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
Additionally, a $3.2 billion inflow of USDT into centralized cryptocurrency exchanges since November 2023 has bolstered market liquidity, potentially stimulating higher trading activity and reducing price volatility.
Stablecoins are at the forefront of DeFi innovation, which is pivotal in enhancing liquidity, reducing volatility, and streamlining transactions.
Recent developments, such as the minting of USDC directly on Polygon and the launch of Paxos’ yield-bearing Lift Dollar (USDL) on Arbitrum, highlight their transformative impact.
USDL’s expansion into Ethereum Layer 2 ecosystems like Arbitrum provides users with cost-effective, fast transactions and yield distribution.
Similarly, the integration of USDC into Layer 2 networks marks a significant step toward broadening DeFi accessibility and adoption.
On December 2, stablecoin transaction volumes surged to $2.7 trillion over the past 30 days, with a 46% increase in transaction count, reaching 610.4 million.
Active stablecoin addresses rose by 14%, signaling a broadening user base and growing trust in stablecoins as a financial instrument.
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