Stablecoins are rapidly transforming from transactional tools into essential components of global financial infrastructure, according to a16z's analysis. The GENIUS Act in the U.S. and the MiCA regulation in Europe have accelerated stablecoin market growth, with U.S. stablecoin trading volumes reaching $4.5 trillion in Q1 2026. Meanwhile, non-U.S. dollar stablecoins have surged, driven by regulatory changes and increased demand. The use of stablecoins for commercial payments is expanding, particularly in peer-to-peer and peer-to-merchant transactions, which saw a 128% increase in 2025. Stablecoin payment card infrastructure is also growing, with monthly collateral deposits exceeding $300 million by early 2026. Despite their global nature, stablecoins are becoming more localized, with significant adoption in Asia and emerging markets like Brazil, where the BRLA stablecoin has integrated with the PIX payment network. While stablecoins were initially seen as cross-border tools, their domestic use has increased, with domestic transactions rising to 70% by early 2026. This shift indicates stablecoins are evolving into everyday payment tools, challenging previous assumptions about their primary value being in cross-border transfers.