Stablecoin adoption at the retail level reached new heights in August, with transactions under $250 totaling $5.84 billion, according to a report by CEX.io. Year-to-date volumes have already surpassed 2024, making 2025 the busiest year yet for consumer stablecoin activity.
The report highlights stablecoins’ growing role in everyday financial use, from microtransactions to cross-border remittances. Surveying over 2,600 consumers in Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Indonesia, CEX.io found nearly 70% increased their stablecoin usage compared to last year, while more than 75% expect continued growth, driven by lower fees and faster transfers.
Blockchain Shifts: BSC and Ethereum Rising, Tron Losing Ground
Tron (TRX), long favored for retail transfers due to low fees, saw a 6% decline in monthly transactions, losing market share. Binance Smart Chain (BSC) emerged as the leading network, capturing nearly 40% of retail activity, with transaction counts up 75% and volume rising 67%. Ethereum, including L2 networks, now accounts for 20% of transfer volume and 31% of transaction counts, with mainnet sub-$250 transfers jumping 81% in volume and 184% in transaction count, aided by a 70% drop in fees.
The data signals a broader shift in retail stablecoin behavior, with BSC and Ethereum increasingly preferred while Tron’s usage declines.
