As the year 2025 unfolds, Bitcoin continues its impressive upward trajectory, reaching unprecedented levels of $125,500. In stark contrast, altcoins experience modest gains, generally around 5%, amidst a broadly optimistic market landscape. The absence of major data releases due to a U.S. government shutdown diverts focus to predictions from Standard Chartered about the cryptocurrency realm in the coming years.
What Are Standard Chartered’s Predictions for 2028?
Standard Chartered envisions a transformative period for cryptocurrency adoption by 2028, predicting a massive migration of capital into stablecoins. This international banking leader anticipates up to $1 trillion shifting from traditional banks to stablecoins, presenting a pivotal expansion opportunity for the cryptocurrency market by 2028.
Their Global Research Department forecasts a surge in stablecoins, estimating growth from the current $173 billion to $1.22 trillion within the next three years. This report highlights how capital will redirect from conventional financial channels towards cryptocurrencies.
Legislative efforts in the U.S., such as the GENIUS project, coupled with major banks developing their stablecoins, support these growth projections. Furthermore, in economically unstable regions outside the U.S., there is an increasing preference for stable foreign currencies like the dollar, spurring the rapid adoption of stablecoins.
Will Stablecoins Revolutionize Emerging Economies?
Yes, the potential for stablecoins to transform emerging economies is considerable. Standard Chartered points out the appeal of dollar-backed stablecoins, available 24/7, in these regions. An estimated 66% of the current stablecoin supply is held within savings accounts in these markets, presenting unique challenges and benefits.
In countries like Venezuela, rampant inflation—exceeding 300% annually—has driven residents to adopt stablecoins as a stable value storage option. The widespread use of USDT among businesses reflects the growing trend, with significant increases in crypto utility reported.
Key insights from the research include:
- $1 trillion anticipated shift from traditional banks to stablecoins by 2028.
- Stablecoin market expected to grow from $173 billion to $1.22 trillion by 2028.
- Stablecoins as a substitute for foreign currencies in regions with unstable economies.
- Venezuela’s impressive 110% increase in cryptocurrency use over a year.
The next few years promise to be transformative for the cryptocurrency industry as Bitcoin hits new heights and stablecoins become increasingly prevalent in both advanced and emerging markets around the world. Reflecting on the potential of these trends, a representative from Standard Chartered remarked:
“The evolving landscape of digital currencies presents vast opportunities for financial inclusion globally, reshaping both investments and everyday transactions.”
