Stablecoin Cross-Border Flows Soar to $220B Amid Crypto Market Decline
The value of stablecoins moving across borders rose to $220.3 billion in the year through June 30, 2026, a 77.5% increase from the previous period. This growth occurred despite the broader crypto market losing about half its value over the same time.
Chainalysis data shows that cross-border stablecoin flows increased from $124.2 billion to $220.3 billion in the 12 months through June 30, 2026. The firm's conservative estimate of monthly cross-border stablecoin value more than doubled from $11 billion in January 2025 to $24 billion in June 2026.
According to Chainalysis, actual volume is likely higher due to its methodology excluding transfers where it cannot identify both the sending and receiving countries. The average transfer size was around $3,000, indicating everyday financial activity such as paying suppliers or moving savings out of currencies users no longer trust, rather than institutional transfers.
Philip Gradwell, vice president of economics at Tether, noted that 'Activity has become consistent, routed through wallets in a steady rhythm rather than in bursts...That is the signature of trade and business activity, not speculation.'