Stablecoins become the payment backbone of blockchain gaming

Stablecoins are emerging as the foundation of blockchain gaming economies, according to the Blockchain Gaming Alliance’s 2025 report, as studios shift away from speculative models and adopt stable, predictable payment rails for rewards, settlements, and in-game transactions.

In 2024, stablecoins processed $27.6 trillion in transfer volume — surpassing the combined totals of Visa and Mastercard. They now make up around 30% of all crypto transactions, with USDT and USDC representing over 90% of fiat-backed supply.

Sector confidence, which collapsed in 2024, has begun to recover, with 65.8% of respondents optimistic about 2026. Yet challenges remain, including end-to-end UX fragmentation and friction across multi-chain stablecoin usage.

The shift comes as game studios face a cooling market and adopt more disciplined, revenue-driven operations. Meanwhile, jurisdictions like Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and the UAE are rolling out formal stablecoin regulatory frameworks, prompting developers to adapt to evolving compliance standards.