Stablecoin volume moved above the ACH network in February, according to Artemis data. The data showed $7.2 trillion in 30 day adjusted rolling stablecoin payments volume, while the Automated Clearing House network processed $6.8 trillion over the same period.
The shift matters because the ACH network remains a core payment rail in the United States. According to Nacha, the network handles about 93% of salary payments in the country. That makes the February result important for the stablecoin market, which is less than 12 years old.
The data also showed that stablecoin volume kept rising in March. Artemis recorded $7.5 trillion in March, which matched the ACH network over that 30 day period. Meanwhile, stablecoin supply reached $315 billion in the first quarter of 2026, according to CEX.IO.
Stablecoin Volume Passes the ACH Network
Artemis data showed that stablecoin volume reached $7.2 trillion in February. By comparison, the Automated Clearing House network processed $6.8 trillion. This marked the first time stablecoin payments moved above the ACH network on this measure.
The dataset used a 30 day adjusted rolling volume. In simple terms, it tracked transfer value over a moving monthly period instead of a single day. It also excluded MEV activity and intra centralized exchange transactions to reduce activity that could distort the comparison.
That method matters because raw blockchain volume can include transfers that do not reflect broader payment use. Therefore, Artemis data tried to focus on a cleaner measure of stablecoin payments. As a result, the February comparison with the Automated Clearing House carried more weight.
ACH Network Remains a Major US Payment Rail
The ACH network plays a central role in the US payment system. It supports payroll, bank transfers, and bill payments across the country. Because of that, the comparison between stablecoin volume and the Automated Clearing House draws attention beyond crypto markets.
According to Nacha, the ACH network processes around 93% of salary payments in the United States. That figure shows how deeply the network is tied to daily money movement. So, when stablecoin payments moved above ACH in February, the data stood out.
The article also noted that the stablecoin market is still relatively young. Stablecoins have existed for less than 12 years. Even so, their transfer activity is now being measured against large payment systems such as ACH, Visa, and PayPal.
Stablecoin Payments Continued to Rise in March
The February result did not stand alone. Artemis data for March showed stablecoin volume rising to $7.5 trillion. That figure matched the ACH network over the same 30 day period.
The broader data also showed stablecoin payments growing steadily relative to other major financial systems in recent years. The article pointed to Visa and PayPal as part of that comparison. This showed that the stablecoin market has been expanding its role in payments.
Alex Obchakevich commented on the trend in an X post on Friday. He wrote,
“Stablecoins are quietly becoming the foundational infrastructure for global payments: no banks, no weekends, no borders.”
His remark followed the new Artemis data comparing stablecoins with ACH.
Stablecoin Supply Reached $315 Billion in Q1 2026
Growth also appeared in issuance. In the first quarter of 2026, total stablecoin supply reached $315 billion, according to CEX.IO. That was $8 billion higher than in the first quarter of 2025.
At the same time, stablecoins accounted for 75% of total crypto trading volume in the quarter. The article said this was the highest level on record. This added another sign that stablecoins now hold a larger role across the broader crypto market.
The rise in stablecoin supply helps explain the rise in stablecoin volume. As more stablecoins circulate, more value can move through transfers, settlement, and trading. Therefore, supply growth and payment growth have been moving in the same direction.
Stablecoin Market Growth Draws Institutional and Regulatory Focus
The article linked the rise in the stablecoin market to stronger institutional adoption and a warmer regulatory climate in the United States. This has become a key part of the stablecoin story as more financial firms watch the sector.
Analysts at Standard Chartered said the total stablecoin market could reach $2 trillion by 2028. That would mean growth of more than 530% from current levels. The forecast pointed to expectations of further expansion in stablecoin supply and use.
Frank Chaparro, content head at trading firm GSR, also commented on the trend in a post on Tuesday. He said banks or fintech firms are “toast” if they ignore the sector’s growth. He also wrote, “The signals are everywhere,” while pointing to the increase in stablecoin supply from less than $30 billion in 2020 to more than $300 billion since then. Chaparro added that the GENIUS Act helped unlock institutional adoption.
Disclosure:This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
Kriptoworld.com accepts no liability for any errors in the articles or for any financial loss resulting from incorrect information.
Tatevik Avetisyan is an editor at Kriptoworld who covers emerging crypto trends, blockchain innovation, and altcoin developments. She is passionate about breaking down complex stories for a global audience and making digital finance more accessible.
📅 Published: April 3, 2026 • 🕓 Last updated: April 3, 2026
