Standard Chartered Predicts 7x Growth for Stablecoins in 2025: A Deep Dive into the RWA Boom
- Why Is Standard Chartered Bullish on Stablecoins?
- Tokenized RWAs: A $2 Trillion Opportunity?
- The Catch: Regulatory Landmines and Tech Gaps
- Stablecoins: The Make-or-Break Factor
- FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Standard Chartered’s latest report forecasts explosive growth for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), projecting a $2 trillion market by 2028. While regulatory hurdles and infrastructure challenges remain, institutional players like Visa and Citi are doubling down. Here’s why the fusion of DeFi and traditional finance could redefine liquidity—and where the risks lie.
Why Is Standard Chartered Bullish on Stablecoins?
Standard Chartered isn’t just dipping its toes into crypto—it’s diving headfirst. The bank’s research team predicts stablecoins could growin 2025 alone, fueled by institutional adoption and their role as the "liquidity backbone" of decentralized finance (DeFi). "Stablecoins are the gateway drug for RWAs," quips a BTCC analyst. "They’re the bridge between volatile crypto and predictable yields."
Tokenized RWAs: A $2 Trillion Opportunity?
The report breaks down the numbers: currently, RWAs (excluding stablecoins) are a $35 billion niche, per RWA.xyz. But by 2028, Standard Chartered expects:
- $750B in tokenized money-market funds
- $750B in tokenized U.S. equities
- $250B in tokenized private equity and real estate
"This isn’t just about digitizing assets—it’s about making them interoperable," notes the report. Imagine trading Tesla shares 24/7 on-chain with lower fees. That’s the dream.
The Catch: Regulatory Landmines and Tech Gaps
It’s not all sunshine. The U.S. regulatory fog—especially pre-2026 midterms—could slam the brakes. And let’s be real: tokenizing illiquid assets like real estate is like "trying to turn a brick into a liquid," jokes a Paypal exec. Smart contract standardization and legal-code alignment remain headaches.
Stablecoins: The Make-or-Break Factor
Here’s the kicker: RWAs depend on DeFi, and DeFi depends on stablecoins. If Tether or USDC stumbles, the domino effect could be ugly. "It’s a symbiotic relationship," says the report. "No stablecoin growth, no RWA boom."
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
What’s driving stablecoin growth in 2025?
Institutional demand for crypto-native yield and cheaper cross-border payments. Platforms like BTCC are seeing record stablecoin trading volumes.
Are RWAs just a fad?
Hardly. BlackRock’s BUIDL fund and Citi’s tokenized private credit trials suggest otherwise. But the tech needs to mature.
What’s the biggest risk?
Regulation. The SEC’s recent crackdown on "unregistered securities" could spill over to tokenized stocks.
