The blockchain industry is witnessing the emergence of new Layer 1 (L1) blockchains specifically designed to enhance stablecoin transactions. This development is a direct response to the escalating demand for efficient and scalable digital currency transfers, a critical need as stablecoin adoption continues its global surge. These novel L1 networks are engineered to address the inherent scalability limitations of existing blockchains. For instance, while Ethereum handles approximately 20 transactions per second (TPS) and even high-throughput chains like Solana have demonstrated over 100,000 TPS in stress tests, processing the high volume of stablecoin transfers remains a challenge.
A significant innovation driving these new blockchains is the integration of stablecoins as native gas tokens. This approach simplifies the user experience by eliminating the need for users to hold separate cryptocurrencies solely for transaction fees. The 'Stable' L1 network is a prominent example, having secured support from Tether and Bitfinex. Stable is optimized for USDT payments, allowing users to leverage USDT for both payments and gas fees, thereby streamlining transactions and reducing complexity. Further expanding its utility, Stable announced on September 22, 2025, its integration of PayPal's PYUSD stablecoin, with PayPal Ventures also participating in Stable's funding round. This strategic investment underscores PayPal's commitment to broadening PYUSD's reach and utility across diverse blockchain ecosystems. Other L1 blockchains are also adopting similar strategies, incorporating major stablecoins like USDT and USDC to boost efficiency and scalability, reflecting a broader industry trend towards specialized infrastructure tailored to stablecoin transaction demands.
As of September 2025, the total stablecoin market capitalization has reached approximately $296.956 billion, with USDT alone surpassing $172 billion in market cap by September 2025. USDC remains a significant player, with estimates around $73.6 billion mid-2025. The implications of these advancements extend beyond mere transaction efficiency. By providing predictable, stable transaction costs, these new L1s can foster greater adoption of digital assets for everyday commerce. Businesses benefit from the elimination of gas fee volatility, which can complicate accounting and financial planning. For example, using USDC as a native gas token, as seen with the Arc network, isolates transaction fees from cryptocurrency market fluctuations, offering stable, USD-denominated costs. This predictability is crucial for enterprise applications, enabling consistent pricing for services and simplifying treasury management by removing the need to hold volatile crypto assets.
The broader adoption of stablecoins, supported by clearer regulatory frameworks such as the U.S. GENIUS Act and the EU's MiCA, is expected to drive significant growth. Industry executives anticipate that by 2030, stablecoins could facilitate between 5% to 10% of all cross-border payments, representing an annual value of $2.1 trillion to $4.2 trillion. This indicates a fundamental shift towards stablecoins becoming an integral part of the global financial system, moving beyond niche use cases to mainstream financial activity.