Galaxy forecasts that stablecoins will surpass the US auto payment volume by 2026.

Stablecoin is expected to handle transaction volumes larger than the US automated clearing house (ACH) system by 2026, thanks to increasingly clear legal frameworks and growing adoption, according to the latest forecast from Galaxy Research.

Galaxy Research, the research division of digital asset firm Galaxy Digital, states that current transaction data along with legal developments are reinforcing this outlook. The report notes that stablecoin transactions have already surpassed many major credit card networks like Visa and are processing about half of the total ACH system transaction volume.

Thad Pinakiewicz, Vice President of Research at Galaxy, said that stablecoin supply continues to grow at a compound annual rate of approximately 30%–40%, while transaction volume increases alongside issuance. Galaxy also emphasizes that legal definitions under the GENIUS Act, expected to be implemented in early 2026, will be a significant driver for widespread stablecoin adoption.

Stablecoin transaction volume compared to other financial systems | Source: Galaxy Digital## Galaxy forecasts Bitcoin reaching $250,000

In addition to stablecoins, Galaxy Research’s report also offers a positive outlook for Bitcoin, suggesting that BTC could reach $250,000 by the end of 2027. According to Alex Thorn, the company’s Chief Research Officer at Galaxy, 2026 is a “chaotic period to make precise predictions,” but the possibility of Bitcoin hitting a new all-time high this year remains entirely plausible.

Stablecoin market capitalization | Source: DefiLlama## USD-pegged stablecoin market continues to expand

Data from DefiLlama shows that the stablecoin market cap is currently around $309 billion. While Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC still dominate, more financial institutions and payment companies have entered the stablecoin race in recent months.

Last October, Western Union announced plans to launch a USD-pegged stablecoin called US Dollar Payment Token. This token will be built on the Solana blockchain and issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, as part of the company’s digital asset payment network development strategy.

Sony Bank is also reportedly preparing a USD-pegged stablecoin for use within Sony’s US ecosystem, including PlayStation gaming, subscription services, and anime content. This stablecoin is expected to launch in 2026.

Meanwhile, SoFi Technologies has officially introduced SoFiUSD, a fully USD-backed stablecoin issued by its subsidiary SoFi Bank. The token will launch on Ethereum and is designed to facilitate low-cost payments for banks, fintech companies, and enterprise platforms.

Jianing Wu, a research analyst at Galaxy Research, believes that stablecoins collaborating with traditional finance are likely to enter a phase of consolidation in 2026. She states that users and merchants will not choose many “digital dollars,” but instead will prioritize one or two stablecoins with the broadest acceptance.