Tether stablecoin USDt has become the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization as Ether fell to a yearly low on Friday.
Ether’s market capitalization dropped below $185 billion following a 5.2% price crash over 24 hours, sending the asset tumbling to $1,510 on Coinbase, according to TradingView. This allowed USDt, with a $186 billion market capitalization, to surpass the cryptocurrency.
“[The] stablecoin overtake really highlights how the market still favors stability over ETH’s volatility right now,” Andri Fauzan Adziima, research lead at Bitrue Research Institute, told Cointelegraph.
The development reflects accelerating stablecoin growth, which currently represents almost 15% of the entire crypto market capitalization. Stablecoin supply retracted more than 30% in the last bear market, but they’re hitting record highs this time, wrote 21Shares on Thursday, adding:
“To us, that is the strongest evidence yet that stablecoins are one of crypto’s defining use cases – demand that no longer depends on the cycle.”
USDt flips ETH in market capitalization. Source: CoinGecko
Alvin Kan, chief operating officer of Bitget Wallet, told Cointelegraph that the flip is a “notable milestone that highlights the explosive growth and dominance of stablecoins in today’s crypto ecosystem.”
“It demonstrates strong demand for reliable, liquid on- and off-ramps during periods of volatility, while serving as a reminder that ETH must continue delivering compelling utility and narrative momentum to maintain its position.”
Kan said the development is positive for the broader market, as deeper stablecoin liquidity supports higher trading volumes and ecosystem innovation.
Related: Sharplink buys ETH after 8-month pause as token hits 2026 low
ETH prices are currently back at crucial support levels last visited in October 2023 and April 2025.
The Ethereum ecosystem has been under pressure recently following staff cuts at the Ethereum Foundation, with an executive exodus and a 20% workforce reduction.
However, a new non-profit organization called Ethlabs was launched this week by key EF developers and researchers and backed by Ether treasuries Bitmine and Sharplink.
ETH prices are at a critical long-term support level. Source: TradingView
Not all are bearish
Some have taken Ether’s decline as an opportunity.
Ether treasury company Sharplink bought the dip, making its first purchase in eight months, scooping up 5,000 ETH on Thursday. Tom Lee’s Bitmine has also been accumulating at these low prices, adding a further 76,881 ETH last week.
Meanwhile, Circle’s USDC (USDC) also flipped Ripple’s XRP (XRP) in market capitalization as XRP fell back towards $1, its lowest level since November 2024, resulting in a market capitalization decline to $64 billion compared to USDC at $73.6 billion.
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