Stablecoin card adoption tipped to surge in 2026, say VCs
Stablecoin-focused venture capitalists expect a surge in stablecoin card adoption in 2026, following fintech firm Rain’s $250 million raise that valued the company at nearly $2 billion. Haseeb Qureshi, managing partner at Dragonfly, said in a post on X on Friday that stablecoin-enabled cards are on track to become a major crypto trend next year, blending blockchain infrastructure with familiar payment experiences.
Qureshi said stablecoin cards are expanding rapidly worldwide, citing Rain’s growth as an example. The company reported a 30-fold increase in active cards and nearly a 40-times rise in annualized payment volume in 2025, positioning it among the fastest-growing fintech firms globally.
Rain supports major stablecoins, including Tether (USDT) and USDC (USDC), across Ethereum, Solana, Tron, and Stellar. Qureshi added that consumers benefit from faster settlement and lower fees without needing to directly interact with crypto infrastructure.
Bloomberg Intelligence projected on Thursday that stablecoin payment flows could grow at an 81% compounded annual growth rate to reach $56.6 trillion by 2030.
Stablecoin cards could see limited traction in developed markets
Some industry participants remain skeptical that stablecoin payments will displace traditional card networks in developed economies. Sheel Mohnot, general partner at Better Tomorrow Ventures, said stablecoin acceptance among merchants lacks a built-in audience, exclusivity, and compelling incentives to drive widespread change.
Pantera Capital investor Mason Nystrom disagreed, pointing to benefits such as instant payouts, immediate settlement, and protection against chargebacks. “Stablecoin rails are coming for the entire fintech stack. Some incumbents will adopt, other[s] will be wholesale replaced. Stablecoin checkout will be massive.”
Stablecoin policy efforts progress
Regulatory initiatives have advanced, with the passage of the GENIUS Act in the United States late last year and ongoing efforts in Canada and the United Kingdom to implement stablecoin frameworks in 2026 or the near term.
Institutional adoption is also increasing. Remittance provider Western Union plans to roll out a stablecoin settlement system on the Solana blockchain in the first half of 2026, alongside a stablecoin card aimed at enabling consumer spending in emerging markets.
Stay informed, read the latest news right now!
Disclaimer
The content on TrustsCrypto.com is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, always do your own research before making decisions.
Some content may be assisted by AI and reviewed by our editorial team, but accuracy is not guaranteed. TrustsCrypto.com is not responsible for any losses resulting from the use of information provided.
