Stablecoin retail, record August: $5.84 billion in micro-transfers. BNB Chain surpasses Tron

In August 2025, transfers in stablecoin under 250 dollars reached 5.84 billion dollars, according to a report CoinDesk cited by various market analyses. In the retail segment, the balance is being reshaped: BNB Chain consolidates its position, Tron retreats, and Ethereum returns to growth thanks to the decrease in fees.

Industry analysts we collaborate with confirm that the increase is primarily driven by micropayments and mobile on-ramp in emerging markets. From the intersection of on-chain metrics and public reports, it is clear that the share of BNB Chain and the recovery of Ethereum are cross-cutting among different liquidity providers; the data is updated as of September 7, 2025.

Key Data: Transfers Under $250 in August 2025

Total retail volume (under $250): 5.84 billion dollars (August 2025, CoinDesk).

The $250 threshold serves as a discriminator for micropayments and small remittances.

In 2025, the period up to August alone has already surpassed the cumulative retail volume of the entire 2024.

| Network | Retail volume share | Recent change | Observations | | ———————————————— | ————————————– | —————————————————————— | ———————————————————————————————————————————————————- | | BNB Chain | ≈ 40% of retail activity | Transaction counts +75%; volumes +67% | Migration of micro-transactions due to low costs. | | Ethereum (mainnet + L2) | Over 20% of volumes; 31% of counts | Mainnet: volumes +81%; tx number +184% | Recovery favored by the drop in fees. | | Tron | Decreasing | Losses of about 1.3 million monthly tx | Loss of share in the retail segment under $250 |

Distribution and dynamics of retail stablecoin volumes by network (August 2025). Data sourced from the report by Chainalysis and third-party analysis.

Causes of the increase in retail stablecoins in 2025

The growth of transfers in stablecoin reflects a mix of lower network costs, a more refined wallet user experience, and greater integration with local on-ramps. In this scenario, micropayments and international remittances are more convenient than traditional channels; the difference is especially noticeable on low-amount routes.

Commissions decreasing on mainnets and L2s;

Greater liquidity availability across different networks.

Simpler wallet UX and extensive mobile coverage (e.g., integration with wallets like MetaMask).

Dominant Networks and Retail Market Shifts

BNB Chain consolidates its role in the sub‑$250 segment, while Ethereum (mainnet + L2) regains ground on the micro‑transactions front. Tron, which in previous years had excelled in low-value payments, is experiencing a gradual decline. Indeed, the competition between networks is increasingly focused on cost and usability.

In detail, the data indicates a 75% increase in counts and a 67% increase in volumes on BSC. On the Ethereum mainnet, transfers under $250 have grown by 81% in volume and 184% in number; Tron, on the other hand, is losing – according to some analyses – about 1.3 million monthly transactions in the retail segment.

Who uses transfers under $250 and for what reasons

A survey conducted on over 2,600 consumers in Nigeria, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Indonesia highlights common motivations in the adoption of stablecoins for small amounts. The findings show a daily use oriented towards quick payments, predictable costs, and mobile access. In this context, reduced friction becomes an important driver.

Reduction of banking costs and fees for traditional remittances.

Faster settlement times compared to banking corridors (see global remittance data from the World Bank).

Accessibility via smartphone and spread of non-custodial services.

Almost 70% of respondents report using stablecoins more frequently compared to the previous year; over three-quarters expect further growth in the coming months.

Declining Commissions: Real Effects on Retail

According to the report, the average fees on Ethereum have decreased by over 70% year-on-year. The effect is twofold: on one hand, micropayments on the mainnet become sustainable again, on the other, competition among networks to attract retail flows increases. That said, price sensitivity remains high in the lower amount brackets.

Implications for Companies and Financial Services

Opening of new wallets and local exchanges specialized in remittances and payments.

Pressure on banking systems to reduce the time and costs of international transfers.

Increasing demand for compliance solutions and regulated fiat on-ramps.

Looking ahead, what some call the “fee war” between networks could accentuate the migration of volumes, rewarding those who ensure cost stability and broad interoperability. It must be said that the ability to maintain predictable costs will be central to retaining retail users.

Limits and Data Transparency

The reported numbers are derived from a report by CEX.io and external analyses; they have not been independently verified by our editorial team.

Possible discrepancies may depend on the identification of wallets (multi-sig, exchange, bridging) and the coverage of the stablecoin tokens considered.

Network fees may vary in relation to congestion and fee volatility.

The survey of 2,600 users does not provide details on sampling and margin of error; the results should be interpreted with caution.

Outlook for the Rest of 2025

With four calendar months still remaining, trends could consolidate if fees remain low and retail liquidity continues to expand. Critical factors remain the choices of stablecoin issuers and regulatory developments in major payment corridors. In other words, regulation and pricing will determine the pace of adoption.

Role of stablecoins in transfers under 250 dollars

In the small amounts segment, stablecoins enable low-friction cross-border payments, reduce settlement times, and make the final cost more predictable compared to traditional channels. The impact is evident in family remittances, payments for digital work, and micro-purchases, areas where cost certainty and speed have a decisive impact.