What factors are driving the growth of USDC's supply?
Can USDC maintain its momentum in trading volume growth?
As of early 2026, USDC's trading volume has reached approximately $2.2 trillion, far surpassing USDT's $1.3 trillion. In February, USDC accounted for nearly 70% of the $1.8 trillion stablecoin transfer activity. The token's turnover rate is significantly higher than that of USDT, indicating its widespread use in active trading.
Several key factors have played an important role in the financial industry's choice of stablecoins. Firstly, USDC complies with regulatory requirements under the GENIUS Act in the U.S. and the MiCA regulations in Europe, making it increasingly favored by institutions. Additionally, the implementation of the MiCA regulations has further facilitated platform licensing for USDC trading in Europe.
Another factor is the growing reliance on AI-driven financial applications that utilize USDC. By 2026, 98.6% of AI-assisted payments are expected to be conducted using USDC, with over 140 million transactions executed by autonomous systems.
“Almost all payments executed by autonomous systems are completed using USDC, and this new demand area is growing rapidly year after year,” Circle stated.
The mainstream financial integration of USDC has also transformed its corporate image. Companies like Visa, Mastercard, and BlackRock have launched solutions centered around USDC to enhance the efficiency of institutional trading.
Brokerage firm Bernstein has raised its 12-month price target for Circle shares to $190, highlighting Circle's potential in payment and enterprise services. William Blair also noted the company's increasing market appeal.
The significant supply milestone of USDC and its leading position in trading volume mark the token's growing role in both traditional finance and the rapidly evolving digital payments sector.