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Stablecoin Market Dominance: Top Issuers Hold 96% Share as New Players Emerge in 2025

Stablecoin Market Dominance: Top Issuers Hold 96% Share as New Players Emerge in 2025

Hey there, crypto enthusiasts! If you're knee-deep in the world of blockchain and meme tokens like I am, you know that stablecoins are the unsung heroes keeping everything afloat. They're the steady Eddies that let us trade volatile assets without the constant heart attacks. Recently, a tweet from Token Terminal caught my eye, shedding light on the current state of stablecoin supply by issuer. It's a fascinating snapshot of who's who in this space, and it highlights some exciting new developments.

Chart showing stablecoin supply by issuer from 2018 to 2025

The Big Picture: Top Issuers Ruling the Roost

Looking at the chart, it's clear that the stablecoin market is heavily concentrated. The top four issuers—Tether, Circle, Ethena, and Sky—hold a whopping ~96% of the market share. Tether, the green line shooting up like a rocket, is a private company and has been the kingpin for years. Circle, represented in blue, is a publicly listed company behind USDC, and it's been gaining ground steadily.

Then we have Ethena and Sky, both decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), adding a layer of community-driven innovation to the mix. Ethena's synthetic dollar, USDe, and Sky's USDS (formerly MakerDAO's DAI rebranded) are proving that DAOs can compete with traditional firms. This dominance isn't surprising; as of October 2025, the total stablecoin supply has cracked $300 billion, up from just $5 billion in 2019, according to data from Axios and TD Economics.

But what's really interesting is the long tail of smaller issuers. There are over 13 more beyond the ones listed, each carving out their niche in this growing ecosystem.

Spotlight on Newcomers: Cap and Societe Generale Join the Top 20

The tweet specifically calls out two new entrants in the top 20: Cap, a startup, and Societe Generale, an incumbent bank. Let's break these down.

First, Cap. This protocol is shaking things up with its dollar-denominated cUSD and yield-bearing stcUSD. Unlike traditional stablecoins, Cap outsources yield generation in a programmatic way, making it fully covered and reliable. It's designed to free users from the pitfalls of endogenous models, as per their docs. As a fresh startup, Cap's entry signals that innovative DeFi projects are starting to scale and compete with the big boys.

On the other side, Societe Generale represents traditional finance dipping its toes deeper into crypto. In June 2025, their digital asset arm, SG-FORGE, launched a USD-pegged stablecoin with custody from BNY Mellon, making them the first major bank to do so publicly, according to Reuters. They already had an EUR stablecoin called CoinVertible, but this USD move broadens their reach. It's a classic case of incumbents adapting to the blockchain revolution.

These additions to the top 20 show the market's evolution—blending startups' agility with banks' stability.

Why This Matters for Blockchain and Meme Tokens

Stablecoins are the backbone of DeFi and trading platforms where meme tokens thrive. With over $46 billion poured into stablecoins last quarter alone, as reported by Cointelegraph, this liquidity fuels everything from quick swaps on DEXes to yield farming. Ethereum hosts over 50% of the supply, making it a hotspot for meme token action.

For meme token traders, more issuers mean better options for hedging volatility. Imagine using Cap's yield-bearing stcUSD to earn while holding stable value, or Societe Generale's regulated coin for that extra peace of mind during wild pumps and dumps. As the market heads toward $500-750 billion by J.P. Morgan's estimates here, this diversity could lower fees, improve accessibility, and even integrate more with traditional finance.

Looking Ahead: Regulations and Growth

With new laws like the GENIUS Act in the US providing a federal framework, as mentioned in Rapyd's analysis, the stablecoin space is maturing. But challenges remain, like the Bank of England's proposed caps on holdings Yahoo Finance. Still, the upward trajectory is undeniable, and for us in the meme token world, it means smoother sailing ahead.

What do you think—will these new issuers disrupt the top dogs? Keep an eye on Token Terminal for more data-driven insights, and stay tuned to Meme Insider for how this ties into your favorite memes.

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