Citibank boldly predicts: The stablecoin market will reach 4 trillion dollars by 2030, with annual trading volume possibly exceeding 200 trillion dollars.

Citibank's latest research report significantly raises its predictions for the stablecoin market, estimating that by 2030, the issuance of stablecoins will reach a baseline scenario of $1.9 trillion, with the bull run scenario potentially surpassing the $4 trillion mark. The report indicates that the annual growth rate of stablecoin transaction volume far exceeds expectations; if the velocity of circulation approaches that of fiat, the total annual transaction volume could reach $100-200 trillion, marking the arrival of the "ChatGPT moment" for Blockchain technology.

Citibank significantly raises its stablecoin market forecast, optimistic about explosive growth in the next five years

According to a CoinDesk report on September 26, Citibank has released a latest research report showing that the stablecoin market is expanding at an unexpected pace. Data shows that the global issuance of stablecoins has rapidly increased from approximately $200 billion at the beginning of 2025 to the current $280 billion, marking a growth of 40%.

Based on this strong growth trend, Citibank has significantly raised its forecast for stablecoin issuance in 2030:

Benchmark scenario: upward revision to $1.9 trillion from $1.6 trillion previously

Bull run scenario: Increased from the previous 3.7 trillion dollars to 4 trillion dollars.

What is even more noteworthy is that Citibank predicts that if the circulation speed of stablecoins can approach that of traditional fiat currencies, by 2030, the annual transaction volume supported by stablecoins could reach an astonishing 100 trillion dollars (baseline scenario) or 200 trillion dollars (optimistic scenario). This figure is equivalent to 1-2 times the current total global GDP.

The "ChatGPT Moment" of Blockchain has arrived

Citibank used a striking metaphor in its report, describing the explosive growth of the current stablecoin market as the "ChatGPT moment" for Blockchain technology. Just as ChatGPT brought artificial intelligence from the lab into everyday life, stablecoins are transforming Blockchain technology from a niche interest of cryptocurrency enthusiasts into mainstream financial infrastructure.

The report points out that the core driving force behind this transformation is that digital native enterprises are leading innovation in real-world business applications. From cross-border payments to supply chain finance, from asset tokenization to decentralized finance (DeFi), stablecoins are demonstrating strong practical value across various fields.

Can Bank Tokens Surpass Stablecoins? The Diversified Future of Financial Infrastructure

However, Citibank's report also presents an interesting perspective: stablecoins may not dominate all on-chain financial activities. As traditional financial institutions accelerate their digital transformation, bank tokens (such as tokenized deposits) may surpass stablecoins in certain areas.

The report indicates that the demand from enterprises for the following three aspects will drive the development of bank tokens:

Regulatory Assurance: Enterprises need to comply with various regulatory requirements for financial instruments.

Instant settlement: A real-time payment solution that reduces transaction costs and risks.

Embedded Compliance: Automated compliance processes reduce legal risks

Citigroup estimates that even if traditional banking activities only migrate slightly to the blockchain, by 2030, the annual transaction volume of bank tokens could exceed 100 trillion dollars. This indicates that the future on-chain financial ecosystem will be diversified, with different types of digital assets coexisting and playing their respective roles.

The dominance of the US dollar remains robust

The report also emphasizes that the dominance of the US dollar in the on-chain financial world remains strong. Currently, the vast majority of stablecoins and bank tokens are still denominated in US dollars, which effectively enhances the international status of the dollar and stimulates demand for US Treasury bonds.

However, the report also pointed out that financial centers such as Hong Kong and the UAE are becoming experimental centers for digital currency innovation, and the regulatory sandboxes and policy support in these regions are promoting the development of a diverse digital currency ecosystem.

Coexistence of Three Digital Currencies: Reshaping Global Financial Infrastructure

Citibank's report presents an important point: the rise of stablecoins is not a war to 'replace banks', but rather a part of a broader reshaping of global financial infrastructure. In the future, three different forms of digital currency may coexist and complement each other:

1. Stablecoin: Issued by private institutions, mainly serving the cryptocurrency ecosystem and cross-border payments.

2. Bank Tokens: Issued by traditional financial institutions, focusing on corporate finance and compliance needs.

3. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC): Issued by central banks of various countries, serving retail and wholesale payment systems.

These three types of digital currencies cater to different market demands and use cases, collectively forming the digital infrastructure of the future financial system.

Main Growth Drivers of the Stablecoin Market

Citibank believes that the explosive growth of the stablecoin market in the next five years will be driven by the following factors:

Payment infrastructure upgrade: Stablecoins offer faster and cheaper cross-border transfers than traditional payment systems.

Emerging market demand: The demand for US dollar stablecoins has increased in countries with high inflation and regions with unstable exchange rates.

Asset tokenization: The tokenization of traditional assets such as real estate, stocks, and bonds requires stablecoins as a medium of exchange.

DeFi Ecosystem Expansion: Continuous Innovation and User Growth of Decentralized Financial Applications

Institutional Adoption Accelerates: Traditional financial institutions are beginning to incorporate stablecoins into their payment and settlement systems.

Conclusion: The golden decade of the stablecoin market is about to begin

The latest report from Citibank indicates that the stablecoin market is on the brink of explosive growth. From the current $280 billion to a possible $4 trillion by 2030, the stablecoin market is expected to achieve more than tenfold growth in the next five years.

This growth is reflected not only in the issuance volume but also in the expansion of trading volume and application scenarios. As stablecoins, bank tokens, and central bank digital currencies collectively reshape global financial infrastructure, we are entering a new era dominated by digital currencies.

For investors and businesses, understanding and participating in this transformation is not only key to seizing investment opportunities but also a necessary preparation to adapt to the future financial environment. The golden decade of the stablecoin market has begun, and its impact will far exceed the cryptocurrency realm, deeply changing the way the global financial system operates.