Stablecoins Move $400M an Hour on Average, Most Outside U.S. Banking Hours, Coinbase and The Block Report
Stablecoins settle more than $400 million an hour
Stablecoins — digital tokens designed to hold a steady value, usually tied to the U.S. dollar — moved more than $400 million per hour on average in organic transfer activity during the third quarter of 2026, according to a new study from Coinbase and The Block Pro Research.
The report, titled "The Always-On Dollar," also found that around 73% of screened stablecoin transfer volume happened outside U.S. banking hours over the 12 months ending July 31.
Key numbers from the study
- More than $400 million in stablecoins moved per hour on average in the third quarter.
- About 73% of screened transfer volume took place outside U.S. banking hours over the year ending July 31.
- Adjusted stablecoin transaction volume has quadrupled since the start of 2023, reaching $891 billion in the third quarter.
- At current growth rates, the report says quarterly adjusted transfer volume is on track to reach $1.5 trillion by the end of 2027.
- The report estimates that moving 80% of international transactions onto stablecoin rails could add $155 billion to global annual GDP.
What the report says about costs and speed
The study says the round-the-clock availability of stablecoins can help businesses. Faster settlement can reduce delays and lower the need to fund payment accounts in advance, leaving more cash for operations or investment, according to the report.
For individuals, the report says stablecoins can cut remittance costs. Sending a $200 remittance in USDC on Base is about 86% cheaper than sending the same amount through traditional rails, the report states, a difference it says can matter for migrant workers.
Holdings and bank interest
According to the report, 293 million unique blockchain addresses now hold stablecoins. That is more than the combined cardholder base of American Express and Discover, and nearly double the mobile banking user count of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citi combined. The report notes that blockchain addresses do not necessarily represent individual users.
The study also says seven of the ten largest U.S. banks have already tested stablecoins or tokenized deposits for settlement, with the remaining three signaling plans to do the same.
A role in AI-agent payments
The report argues that stablecoins are likely to become the payment rail for AI agents. It cites McKinsey in saying that $3 trillion to $5 trillion of global business-to-consumer commerce is expected to be mediated by AI agents by 2030.
The report says stablecoins would let one AI agent pay another for a task, buy a single API call, or purchase small amounts of data or computing power on demand, making very small one-off transactions practical without a subscription or billing account.
What is confirmed
The figures above come from the Coinbase and The Block Pro Research report. They are the report's own findings, and several — including the $1.5 trillion projection for 2027, the $155 billion GDP estimate and the 2030 AI commerce range from McKinsey — are estimates or forecasts, not confirmed results. The report's statement that most transfers occur outside U.S. banking hours is based on screened transfer volume over a defined 12-month period.
Why it matters
The study's figures point to stablecoins being used heavily at times when traditional banks are closed, which the report links to demand for payments that work around the clock. The report's cost comparison and settlement claims describe potential benefits for businesses and for people sending money across borders.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.