Stablecoin A7A5: $140 billion in circulation and 2,000 transactions daily — a new record for the ruble market
The ruble stablecoin A7A5 continues to demonstrate impressive momentum, evolving from an experimental tool into a system-forming element of non-bank settlements. The cumulative turnover of the A7 platform since its launch has reached nearly $140 billion, with the network's throughput capacity reaching up to 2,000 payments per day. These figures confirm: we are dealing not with a niche product, but with a full-fledged settlement infrastructure operating bypassing traditional channels.
In my estimation, such volumes place A7A5 on par with the largest non-dollar stablecoins in the global market. Notably, the number of permanent corporate clients using the A7 ecosystem exceeds 15,000 companies—ranging from small businesses to mid-sized enterprises. This indicates broad penetration of the product into the real sector of the economy.
It is important to emphasize: this is not about isolated transactions or one-off transfers. The platform demonstrates a steady flow of operations driven by a diverse client base. Contrary to assumptions that large export contracts are artificially split into smaller payments, the statistics show the opposite. The average transaction size varies, but the turnover structure points to natural demand from businesses and individuals.
Who pays through A7A5 and why
An analysis of the client structure reveals an interesting picture. In addition to the corporate sector, active users include citizens paying for vacations, medical treatment, and education abroad via the stablecoin. This is a fundamentally important point: the system covers not only foreign trade operations but also everyday financial needs that were previously inaccessible due to restrictions on cross-border transfers.
The platform's versatility explains the range of amounts in the statistics. A flow of numerous small transfers from individuals and small companies is organically complemented by large transactions, creating a balanced ecosystem. In essence, A7A5 performs functions that traditional banking channels cannot fulfill under current conditions.
Notably, the Bank of Russia continues to remain silent regarding the project, even though the scale of operations has long exceeded the pilot phase. Attempts are already emerging in the market to launch alternative ruble stablecoins seeking to occupy A7A5's niche, yet the latter's leadership remains undisputed for now.
My conclusion: The growth of A7A5 reflects a fundamental shift in the structure of international settlements, where crypto assets are becoming a bridge for operations inaccessible through the classical financial system. However, regulatory uncertainty remains a key risk: if the Central Bank decides to intervene, it could radically change the balance of power in the ruble stablecoin market.