Stablecoin market growth isn't driven by a single factor. Analysis reveals it has been fastest during periods when both Bitcoin prices and the broad US dollar index are appreciating simultaneously. This dual correlation points to a specific macro environment that is most conducive to stablecoin adoption.

The cost to convert local currencies into dollar-backed stablecoins often includes a premium over the official FX rate. This "stablecoin access premium" is highly correlated with FX volatility, suggesting the newer stablecoin market is already taking pricing cues from the larger, more mature FX market.

Widespread adoption of blockchain, particularly stablecoins, has been hindered by a "semi-illegal" regulatory environment in the U.S. (e.g., Operation Chokepoint). Now that this barrier is removed, major financial players are racing to integrate the technology, likely making it common within a year.

Stablecoin adoption by U.S. entities merely shifts existing dollar assets from bank deposits or money market funds. True new demand for the U.S. dollar only materializes when foreign households or corporates convert their local currencies into dollar-backed stablecoins for the first time, creating a net FX conversion.

For hundreds of millions in developing nations, stablecoins are not an investment vehicle but a capital preservation tool. Their core value is providing a simple hedge against high-inflation local currencies by pegging to the USD, a use case that far outweighs the desire for interest yield in those markets.

Despite promising instant, cheap cross-border payments, stablecoins lack features critical for corporate treasurers. The absence of FDIC insurance, a single standard ("singleness of money"), and interoperability between blockchains makes them too risky and fragmented for wholesale use.

For stablecoin companies like Tether seeking legitimacy in the US market, the simplest path is to back their assets with US treasuries. This aligns their interests with the US government, turning a potential adversary into a welcome buyer of national debt, even if it means lower returns compared to riskier assets.

While stablecoins gain attention, tokenized deposits offer similar benefits—like on-chain transactions—but operate within the existing, trusted regulatory banking framework. As they are simply bank liabilities on a blockchain, they may become a more palatable alternative for corporates seeking efficiency without regulatory uncertainty.

Contrary to the popular narrative, the dominant use case for stablecoins in emerging markets is not remittances or savings. Survey data suggests overwhelmingly (88% in one study) that they are used as an entry and exit point for the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem, reframing their role in EM finance.