The TRON protocol has achieved a significant milestone, with the circulation of its TRC20-USDT stablecoin exceeding $70 billion. This growth reinforces TRON's leadership in the global stablecoin ecosystem and highlights its role in advancing financial inclusion and decentralized infrastructure.
A Historic Achievement for TRON and the Stablecoin Ecosystem
The circulation of TRC20-USDT has surpassed 70.7 billion tokens, accounting for almost half of all USDT issued worldwide. This accomplishment underscores the network’s capacity to handle large-scale transaction volumes securely and efficiently.
The founder of TRON, Justin Sun, remarked on social media: "Reaching $70 billion in USDT circulation marks a historic moment. It reflects the collective trust of the global user community and represents a milestone for the entire crypto ecosystem."
Trust and Consensus: The Drivers Behind the Growth
Since partnering with Tether in 2019 to launch TRC20-USDT, the TRON network has become a preferred platform for stablecoin transactions due to its high efficiency and low transaction costs. As of April 2025, the number of TRC20-USDT holding accounts reached 64.54 million, with over 2.461 billion cumulative transfers.
Key technical advantages of the TRON blockchain include:
- The ability to process thousands of transactions per second.
- Near-instant confirmation times.
- Extremely low transfer fees, with some scenarios featuring zero-cost transactions.
In March 2025, the network introduced a "Gas Free" USDT transfer feature, further reducing costs and strengthening its usability for everyday payments.
Expanding Use Cases and User Adoption
The utility of TRC20-USDT is particularly evident in emerging markets. For example, a leading Web3 e-commerce platform reported that 85% of its African users rated the TRON network with five stars, citing its stability and affordability compared to traditional payment systems.
Other notable metrics from Q1 2025 include:
- Total accounts on TRON surpassing 300 million.
- Daily active accounts exceeding 2 million.
- Weekly USDT transaction volume reaching 14 million, representing 69% of all global USDT activity.
These figures demonstrate the expanding utility of TRON as a core settlement layer for digital payments.
Synergy Between Stablecoins and the Broader TRON Ecosystem
Stablecoins play a foundational role in the blockchain space, serving as a reliable medium of exchange in DeFi, NFT marketplaces, and cross-border payments. The TRON network has maximized the potential of TRC20-USDT through continuous innovation and ecosystem development.
Today, TRON is the most active stablecoin network by transaction volume, with a daily average transfer value of $80 billion.
In the DeFi sector, TRON's stablecoin ecosystem supports robust liquidity pools and high-yield opportunities. The total value locked (TVL) in TRON DeFi protocols exceeds $20 billion, consistently placing it among the top three blockchain networks globally. Some liquidity pools offer annualized returns of up to 20%.
The network also supports innovation in NFTs and cross-chain interoperability through platforms like APENFT Marketplace and BitTorrent Chain (BTTC), which further enhance the utility and liquidity of TRC20-USDT.
💡 To better understand how these ecosystems interact and to explore real-time transaction data, you can dive into the latest on-chain metrics here.
Regulatory Collaboration and Enhanced Security
TRON has engaged in strategic partnerships to strengthen the legitimacy and security of its stablecoin operations. Notably, it collaborated with the government of Dominica to recognize TRX and TRC20-USDT as legal digital currencies.
Additionally, TRON joined Tether and TRM Labs to establish the T3 Financial Crime Unit (T3 FCU), which monitors USDT transactions in real-time. This initiative contributed to a significant reduction—by approximately $6 billion—in illicit transaction volume in 2024, fostering greater trust among users and regulators.
Recognition from Industry Experts
Leading analytics firms have recognized TRON’s growing influence:
- Token Terminal highlighted in its Q1 2025 report that the expansion of TRC20-USDT reflects a broader migration of stablecoin activity to high-performance blockchains.
- Messari’s "Crypto Theses" 2025 report described TRON’s USDT network as "the most important crypto payment infrastructure in the world," citing its scalability and widespread adoption.
- CryptoQuant noted a rapid increase in daily active addresses, affirming that TRON’s cost efficiency makes it the network of choice for stablecoin transfers.
Real-World Impact and Financial Inclusion
The practical benefits of TRC20-USDT are most visible in developing regions:
- In Africa, it offers a low-cost solution for peer-to-peer transactions, helping users hedge against local currency volatility.
- Across Latin America, USDT has become a go-to tool for remittances and daily commerce, improving access to financial services.
- In Southeast Asia, small and medium enterprises use TRON’s stablecoin network to reduce transaction costs in supply chain finance.
Furthermore, products like stUSDT allow users to earn low-risk returns through DeFi protocols—functioning like a blockchain-based savings account—making digital assets more accessible to the general public.
👉 Learn how to leverage these tools for your transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TRC20-USDT?
TRC20-USDT is a version of Tether’s USDT stablecoin that operates on the TRON blockchain. It is designed for fast transactions and minimal fees, making it ideal for everyday payments and transfers.
Why is TRON popular for stablecoin transfers?
TRON offers high throughput, near-instant confirmations, and very low transaction costs. These features make it attractive for users and businesses conducting frequent or high-volume transactions.
How does TRON ensure the security of USDT transactions?
The network utilizes a delegated proof-of-stake (DPoS) consensus mechanism and has partnered with industry leaders to monitor transactions and reduce illicit activities.
Can I earn passive income with TRC20-USDT?
Yes, through various DeFi protocols on the TRON network, users can participate in liquidity pools or stake their USDT to earn annualized yields.
Which regions use TRC20-USDT the most?
Emerging markets—including parts of Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia—are among the most active users due to its stability and accessibility.
What is stUSDT?
stUSDT is a yield-generating product on TRON that allows users to earn returns on their USDT holdings by participating in real-world asset investments through DeFi.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Digital Finance
The rise of TRON’s USDT circulation to over $70 billion illustrates a powerful convergence of technology, trust, and real-world utility. From enabling efficient payments to unlocking new DeFi opportunities, TRON continues to drive the adoption of blockchain technology worldwide.
As the network continues to grow, it is poised to play an even greater role in building a more open, efficient, and inclusive global financial system.