A new report from Australian crypto exchange Swyftx suggests that AI-enabled microbusinesses and freelancers could become a major catalyst for stablecoin adoption, potentially driving $262 billion in stablecoin transaction volumes by 2033. The analysis highlights how the convergence of artificial intelligence, the gig economy, and cryptocurrency payments could reshape cross-border remittances and freelance settlements.
According to Swyftx’s second-quarter industry report, the global gig and freelance payments market is projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2033, with AI-native workers accounting for $775 billion of that total. The exchange’s base-case model estimates that approximately $262 billion of the AI-native cohort’s payment volume could be settled using stablecoins, assuming an adoption rate of roughly 33 percent.
Pav Hundal, lead market analyst at Swyftx, told Cointelegraph that the economics of stablecoin payments are becoming increasingly compelling. “We see the vibe-coding and AI economy as a significant potential tailwind for stablecoin use,” Hundal said. “Adoption doesn’t happen just because the technology exists. It happens when the economics are compelling, and the rules are clear. For stablecoins, both of those conditions are now falling into place.”
Stablecoins have demonstrated strong momentum in recent years, doubling in market cap over the past two years and hitting a record $1.79 trillion in transaction volume in June. This growth reflects increasing demand for payment utility in the crypto ecosystem, particularly among users seeking alternatives to traditional banking infrastructure.
See also: Stablecoin Market Shrinks $10B Since May Peak, Largest Drop Since 2022 Crypto Winter
The shift toward AI adoption is happening fastest among the smallest firms, those with fewer than five employees, according to Swyftx. This trend has created a new class of solo entrepreneurs who operate across borders, invoice frequently, and settle payments in amounts that conventional banking systems were not designed to handle efficiently. These solo workers currently number between 6 and 10 million globally but are projected to grow to 17 million over the next decade.
These independent workers are particularly sensitive to remittance and transaction fees, making them ideal candidates for stablecoin adoption. “A lot of these solo founders are going to be sensitive to remittance and transaction fees. It’s a potentially chunky market for stablecoins,” Hundal explained. Using stablecoins can save thousands of dollars in annual transfer fees compared to traditional payment methods.
Traditional cross-border payment rails charge high fees, impose multiday settlement windows, and exclude users in more than 50 countries. In contrast, stablecoin transfers using Ethereum layer-2 networks can reduce fees by 80 to 90 percent. According to Swyftx’s analysis, this could save the average freelancer approximately 86 percent per year in transfer fees. This follows a pattern seen in recent institutional stablecoin developments that are expanding payment infrastructure options.
See also: Sony Bank Clears OCC Approval for Dollar Stablecoin Launch
Beyond individual freelancers, Swyftx identified another significant driver of stablecoin volume: agentic AI payments. AI agents cannot obtain traditional bank accounts, so they will likely rely on crypto assets for payments and settlements. This emerging use case could unlock entirely new transaction volumes as autonomous AI systems become more prevalent in business operations.
The institutional infrastructure supporting these payments could also capture substantial revenue. Swyftx estimates that the institutional settlement layer beneath AI-native payments, including over-the-counter liquidity, custody, and yield services for platforms routing these payments, could generate as much as $1.3 billion in revenue by 2033. This calculation assumes total transaction, liquidity, and custody costs of 0.5 percent.
The convergence of AI adoption, freelance work, and stablecoin infrastructure represents a significant opportunity for the crypto industry. As more workers operate independently across borders and AI systems require payment mechanisms outside traditional banking, stablecoins are positioned to capture a meaningful portion of this emerging market. The timing appears favorable, with regulatory clarity improving and economic incentives aligning to drive adoption among both human and artificial intelligence-powered economic participants.
More Reads:
Bitcoin Leaders Saylor and Back Reject BIP-110 Ordinals Proposal Over Network Risk Concerns
Stablecoin Market Shrinks $10B Since May Peak, Largest Drop Since 2022 Crypto Winter
If you’re reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there, by joining the…
Dipprofit’s private Telegram community
Discover more from Dipprofit
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
