Stablecoins continue to gain momentum in 2025, driven by major partnerships, technological integrations, and innovative projects despite political hurdles in the United States. The recent setback of the U.S. GENIUS Act, which aimed to regulate stablecoins, has not slowed the sector’s rapid growth and evolving landscape.
Stablecoins Set to Expand with Meta, Visa, and Mastercard Integrations
Stablecoins have firmly established themselves as the most widely used cryptocurrency type, prized for their price stability, ease of use, and global accessibility. As of 2025, the circulating supply of stablecoins averages around $521 billion, surpassing the market capitalizations of giants like Visa ($319 billion) and PayPal ($32 billion).
Several tech and financial giants are now moving to embed stablecoins into their vast user networks:
- Meta (formerly Facebook): After the shelved Libra/Diem project, Meta is reportedly working behind the scenes to enable crypto transactions within its apps, leveraging popular stablecoins like USDC and USDT. This integration could unlock fast, low-cost transfers for billions of users worldwide, although a timeline for launch remains unclear.
- Visa: Since 2023, Visa has been actively testing stablecoin payments, with over $220 million in transactions processed. Recently, Visa Ventures invested in BVNK, a company specializing in stablecoin payment infrastructure. Additionally, Visa is partnering with Stripe-owned Bridge to enable stablecoin payments for Visa clients, focusing initially on Latin America. Stripe’s financial app will soon support Stablecoin Financial Accounts in 101 countries, allowing users to spend stablecoins at millions of merchants globally.
- Mastercard: Mastercard has partnered with leading crypto platforms including OKX, Binance, Gemini, Kraken, Bybit, and MetaMask to enable stablecoin payments across its network, covering over 150 million merchant locations worldwide.
Regulatory Challenges and the GENIUS Act Defeat
The U.S. Senate blocked the GENIUS Act in May 2025, a bill that sought to provide a regulatory framework for stablecoins. Critics, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, argued the bill was a “crypto power grab” that could enable foreign interference in elections and potential corruption by allowing officials to profit from crypto businesses.
Democrats called for stronger anti-money laundering (AML) provisions, tighter controls on foreign stablecoin issuers, and enhanced safeguards for national security and financial system stability. The bill’s defeat leaves the regulatory environment uncertain, but stablecoin development continues unabated.
The Rise of “Dark Stablecoins” and Privacy Innovations
Following the GENIUS Act setback, CryptoQuant CEO Ki Young Ju warned about the potential emergence of “dark stablecoins”-stablecoins designed to resist censorship and government control. These could take the form of:
- Algorithmic stablecoins that maintain their peg without centralized oversight.
- Stablecoins are issued by countries that do not enforce transaction censorship.
Ju speculated that if Tether (USDT) chooses to defy regulations, it could evolve into a “dark stablecoin,” possibly creating new investment opportunities in decentralized and censorship-resistant digital assets.
Meanwhile, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino announced plans to launch a new USD-pegged stablecoin fully compliant with U.S. regulations, expected later in 2025.
In a related development, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson revealed plans to introduce the first-ever privacy-focused stablecoin on the Cardano blockchain, aiming to combine stable value with enhanced user privacy.
Also read: Ethereum Price Greenlit for Further Upside After Surprise 29% Rally
What This Means for Pakistani Crypto Investors
The global stablecoin ecosystem is rapidly evolving with major players integrating stablecoins into everyday financial transactions, while regulatory debates continue to shape the landscape. For Pakistani investors, these developments highlight:
- Growing adoption and utility of stablecoins in mainstream finance.
- Potential investment opportunities in new stablecoin projects, including privacy-focused and compliant tokens.
- The importance of staying informed about regulatory changes that could impact access and usage.
How Crypto.pk Can Help You
At Crypto.pk, we provide Pakistani investors with expert guidance on navigating the dynamic world of stablecoins and digital assets:
- Market Insights: Stay updated on the latest stablecoin trends and global partnerships.
- Shariah-Compliant Advice: Explore ethical and compliant crypto investment options.
- Secure Trading Support: Get personalized help buying, selling, and using stablecoins safely.
Ready to explore stablecoin opportunities in Pakistan?
Visit Crypto.pk or contact our helpline today for tailored advice on integrating stablecoins into your portfolio while ensuring compliance with local regulations.
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