In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies, stablecoins play a crucial role as the backbone for trading, lending, and even fueling the wild rides of memecoins. A recent chart from Token Terminal highlights a stark contrast in stablecoin supply between two major blockchains: Ethereum and Avalanche.
As shown in the visual, Ethereum boasts around $160 billion in stablecoin supply, dwarfing Avalanche's near-negligible amount—leading to an astonishing 80x difference. Stablecoins, for those new to the space, are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like the US dollar, providing a reliable medium for transactions without the volatility of tokens like Bitcoin or those viral memecoins.
Why This Matters for Memecoin Enthusiasts
While memecoins often thrive on hype and community buzz, their liquidity and trading volumes heavily rely on stablecoins. On Ethereum, powerhouses like USDT and USDC dominate, enabling seamless swaps on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) such as Uniswap. This massive supply means lower slippage and more efficient trades, which is a boon for memecoin launches and pumps.
Avalanche, known for its high-speed subnets and low fees, has been positioning itself as a scalable alternative. However, the lack of substantial stablecoin integration could hinder its adoption for memecoin ecosystems. Projects looking to deploy on Avalanche might face challenges in attracting liquidity pools, making it tougher for new memes to gain traction compared to Ethereum's established infrastructure.
Breaking Down the Data
Token Terminal's snapshot from September 5, 2025, underscores Ethereum's entrenched position in the stablecoin market. Factors contributing to this include:
- Network Effects: Ethereum's first-mover advantage has attracted major issuers like Tether and Circle.
- DeFi Dominance: With protocols like Aave and Compound built on Ethereum, stablecoins flow naturally into its ecosystem.
- Regulatory Comfort: Many stablecoin providers prefer Ethereum's battle-tested security and compliance features.
In contrast, Avalanche's focus on gaming and institutional finance hasn't yet translated into stablecoin growth. Initiatives like Avalanche's Core wallet and partnerships could change this, but for now, the gap is wide.
Implications for Blockchain Practitioners
If you're a developer or trader in the memecoin space, this data suggests sticking with Ethereum for high-liquidity plays. However, keep an eye on Avalanche—its tech could explode if stablecoin adoption ramps up, potentially creating new opportunities for low-cost memecoin experiments.
For more crypto analytics, check out Token Terminal's dashboard. And if you're diving into memecoins, explore our knowledge base at Meme Insider for the latest trends and tools to stay ahead.