In a landscape where technological advancements and financial innovation intersect, stablecoins are emerging as a key player, especially with the rise of AI-driven payments, according to a recent report from Bernstein. The report, shared with Cointelegraph, highlights that while the initial adoption of AI-powered payment systems has been modest, the potential for stablecoins to facilitate machine-to-machine (M2M) transactions is significant.
The Promise of AI-Driven Payments
Bernstein’s analysis suggests that stablecoins could revolutionize the way machines interact and transact with each other. By enabling microtransactions and programmable payments, stablecoins can streamline the payment process between software agents without human intervention. This capability is particularly valuable in scenarios where frequent, small transactions are necessary, such as in the Internet of Things (IoT) or autonomous vehicle ecosystems.
However, the report also notes that the adoption of these AI-driven payment systems has been slower than anticipated. For instance, Stripe and Tempo’s machine payments protocol recorded only about $5,000 in stablecoin volume in its first week, while Coinbase’s x402 protocol, designed to facilitate AI-driven payments, managed just $25 million over the last 30 days. Despite these modest figures, Bernstein remains optimistic about the long-term potential of stablecoins in this domain.
Current Stablecoin Growth Drivers
While AI payments represent an exciting future use case, Bernstein emphasizes that stablecoins are already seeing robust growth driven by other factors. The report highlights cross-border business payments, remittances, card-linked products, and neobanking as the primary drivers of stablecoin demand. These applications have already established stablecoins as a crucial part of the global financial infrastructure, with total stablecoin payment volume estimated to rise to $375 billion in 2025, up from $213 billion in 2024.
The growth in stablecoin adoption is also supported by the increasing number of financial institutions and fintech companies integrating stablecoin solutions. For example, Visa’s recent launch of a tool allowing AI agents to make same-day payments and Stripe’s support for Tempo’s blockchain and payment protocol underscore the industry’s commitment to leveraging stablecoins for various financial services.
USDC: A Leading Contender
Among the various stablecoins, USDC (US Dollar Coin) is positioned as a leading contender for capturing a significant share of the machine-payment market. Bernstein argues that USDC’s liquidity and regulatory compliance make it the most suitable stablecoin for AI-driven transactions. In 2026, USDC recorded $2.4 trillion in adjusted transaction volume, significantly outpacing Tether’s USDt (USDT), which recorded $1.4 trillion.
Coinbase and Circle, the primary issuers of USDC, are seen as the best proxies for stablecoin adoption. Their partnership and the robust infrastructure they have built around USDC are key factors in its growing popularity and potential to dominate the AI payment space.
Challenges and Skepticism
Despite the optimistic outlook, some skepticism surrounds the early metrics of AI-driven payment systems. For example, the AI agent payment volume on Coinbase’s x402 protocol, when adjusted for wash trading, amounted to only $1.6 million, according to Artemis Analytics. This figure is significantly lower than the initially reported $24 million, raising questions about the reliability of early adoption metrics.
However, as Noah Levine, a partner at a16z, pointed out, the infrastructure being built around AI payments, such as the integration of x402 by major tech companies like Stripe, Cloudflare, and Google, is a strong indicator of future potential. The foundational work being done today will likely pave the way for more widespread adoption in the coming years.
Looking Forward
While the initial uptake of AI-driven payment systems has been slower than expected, the long-term prospects for stablecoins remain promising. As more financial institutions and tech companies integrate stablecoin solutions, the ecosystem is expected to mature and expand. The potential for stablecoins to facilitate seamless, automated transactions in the AI and IoT sectors could revolutionize the way we think about financial interactions, making them an essential component of the future financial landscape.
In conclusion, while the path to widespread adoption of AI-driven payments may be gradual, the foundational work being done today is laying the groundwork for a future where stablecoins play a central role in facilitating these transactions. The growth of stablecoins in other areas, such as cross-border payments and remittances, further solidifies their position as a critical financial tool. As the technology and infrastructure continue to evolve, the potential for stablecoins to transform the financial industry is only beginning to be realized.
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