- Citigroup has predicted that blockchain technology is nearing its “‘ChatGPT’ Moment,” signaling a coming surge in mainstream adoption
- The bank has forecasted that the stablecoin market could grow to $1.6 trillion by 2030, potentially reaching $3.7 trillion in a bullish case
- Stablecoin issuers could hold up to $1 trillion in U.S. Treasuries by 2030, while governments ramp up blockchain adoption for transparency and accountability
Citigroup’s latest report suggests blockchain is poised for a breakout moment similar to the rapid rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Analysts project stablecoins could become a trillion-dollar asset class by 2030, with major implications for global financial markets, helping blockchain achieve its “‘ChatGPT’ Moment.” The bank also points to the fact that governments are increasingly turning to blockchain technology to modernize public finance and improve transparency as another sign of its wider adoption.
Stablecoins: A New Power in Financial Markets
In their report, ‘Digital Dollars’, Citigroup’s analysts argue that blockchain technology is nearing a mass adoption phase akin to the surge of artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT. “Blockchain is nearing an inflection point,” the report says, pointing to growing interest across the financial and public sectors. Much like generative AI transformed public expectations almost overnight, blockchain could soon shift from niche infrastructure to a mainstream backbone of digital finance and governance.
The report places a major focus on stablecoins — digital currencies pegged to traditional assets like the U.S. dollar — as the leading driver of blockchain’s rise. Citigroup projects that the stablecoin market could swell to $1.6 trillion by 2030 in its base scenario, or even $3.7 trillion in a high-adoption case. One particularly striking prediction: stablecoin issuers could collectively hold as much as $1 trillion in U.S. Treasuries by the end of the decade. This would make them major players in global debt markets, a development that “could impact Treasury market dynamics and liquidity,” according to the report.
Governments Turn to Blockchain for Transparency
Blockchain’s momentum isn’t limited to finance. Citigroup also highlights accelerating adoption in the public sector, as governments seek to rebuild trust by making spending more transparent. Blockchain could be used to track public subsidies, modernize property registries, and streamline welfare distribution — replacing often outdated, paper-based systems. “Public sector blockchain adoption is not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when,’” the report asserts, noting that many pilot projects are already underway globally.
