Foresight Ventures’ Alice Li on stablecoins seeing strongest growth in underbanked regions

Core Insights - Stablecoins are increasingly popular in regions where traditional finance fails to meet people's needs, particularly in underbanked areas of Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia [1][2] - The global stablecoin market has surpassed $315 billion, with Tether (USDT) leading at $181.4 billion and USDC at $75.9 billion [3] - The total market opportunity for stablecoins is estimated at $10 trillion in the coming years, supported by the maturation of stablecoin infrastructure [5] Regional Adoption - Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a 52% year-over-year increase in on-chain crypto value received, totaling over $205 billion, making it the third-fastest growing crypto region globally [2] - Latin America accounted for 9.1% of global cryptocurrency inflows in a recent 12-month period, with stablecoin-based remittances being particularly significant [3] Economic Impact - Stablecoins are essential for economic resilience, allowing users to perform everyday transactions such as buying groceries and sending money to family [3] - The infrastructure for stablecoins is evolving, enabling faster, cheaper, and more efficient money transfers without the complexities of blockchain being apparent to users [6] Definition and Functionality - Stablecoins are designed to maintain a fixed value, typically pegged 1:1 to a fiat currency like the U.S. dollar, combining the benefits of blockchain with the stability of traditional money [7]