Tether co-founder Reeve Collins believes the way we use money is about to change forever. He predicts that by 2030, all currency will exist as stablecoin. This means even traditional money like dollars, euros, and yen will move on blockchain rails.
In a recent talk at Token2049 in Singapore, Collins explained his view.
“All currency will be a stablecoin. Even fiat currency will be a stablecoin. It will just be called dollars, euros, or yen,” he said.
He added, “A stablecoin simply is a dollar, euro, or yen that runs on blockchain rails. By 2030, this will be the normal way money moves.”
Why Stablecoins Are the Future
Collins says stablecoins and tokenized assets provide clear advantages.
They move faster than traditional payments, are transparent because transactions are visible on a blockchain and gain more utility and efficiency when tokenized.
He believes once an asset moves on-chain, it becomes more useful. The process adds speed and clarity, and in many cases, it also reduces cost. He says this creates stronger returns compared to the same asset sitting in off-chain systems.
He also pointed to regulatory changes. In his view, the recent shift in the United States toward more open policies on crypto was one of the best things to happen to the industry. The softer stance has allowed banks and major institutions to explore stablecoin products without fear.
Now, large players in finance are rushing in. Collins believes this surge will blur the line between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi). The two worlds will eventually mix into what he calls hybrid finance.
“Applications will move money, issue loans, and allow investment. They will combine both traditional investment tools and DeFi strategies,” Collins explained.
Risks and Challenges Ahead
Collins is optimistic, but he does not ignore risks. He highlighted several key concerns.
Smart contract and bridge flaws
Blockchain bridges are often targeted by hackers. Smart contracts can also contain bugs that expose funds.
User security
Wallets remain a weak point. Phishing scams and hacks can lead to major losses. Many users still lack safe storage habits.
Custody and complexity
Full self-custody of assets can be difficult for everyday users. It requires technical skill. Using custodians is easier, but that introduces counterparty risk.
Collins says these problems will not vanish overnight. Still, he believes the industry is working toward better security. Over time, custodial services and non-custodial tools will improve. People will have safer ways to interact with tokenized money.
What 2030 Might Look Like
Collins argues that by 2030, all fiat money will exist in tokenized form. The dollars you use will still be dollars. The euros you spend will still be euros. The difference is that they will move on blockchain systems instead of legacy payment rails.
He sees banks and institutions already preparing for this future. More of them are creating or investing in stablecoins. They view it as more efficient, more secure, and potentially more profitable.
He also expects stablecoins to overtake traditional payments within the next five years. Once that happens, most global money transfers will likely flow through blockchains.
The separation between centralized finance and decentralized finance may disappear. Instead, financial apps will simply offer services that blend both. Users may not even notice whether a product is more “DeFi” or more “CeFi.” They will only see the result: faster payments, easier loans, and more transparent investments.
What This Means for Regular People
For regular people, Collins’s vision means your money may look the same but behave differently. You will still measure value in your local currency. Yet those dollars or euros might no longer sit inside traditional bank systems. They will exist as digital tokens on a blockchain.
Payments could become instant and borderless. Sending money abroad may be as simple as scanning a code. Banks could shift their role from holding funds to providing services on top of blockchain rails. They might focus on compliance, custody, or specialized financial advice.
The change could also impact governments and regulators. If most money flows through blockchains, authorities will need new rules to balance transparency, privacy, and oversight. Security and resilience will be critical.
Critical Questions and Doubts
Not everyone agrees with Collins. Critics raise several issues.
Central bank control: Some governments may resist letting blockchain become the backbone of money.
Interoperability: Many different blockchains exist. They will need reliable ways to work together.
Privacy concerns: A fully transparent system may expose too much about individual spending.
Scalability: Blockchains must handle huge transaction volumes without delays or high costs.
Regulation: Governments could slow adoption with strict rules.
Collins accepts that these are serious challenges. Yet he believes technology will improve enough to overcome them. He argues that the benefits of speed, security, and transparency make this shift unstoppable.
Final Takeaway
Reeve Collins paints a bold picture. In his view, by 2030, every major currency will live on blockchains as a stablecoin. People will still use familiar names like dollars and euros, but the way those currencies work under the hood will be very different.
He sees tokenization as the next step in the evolution of money. Stablecoins will provide efficiency, trust, and flexibility that older systems cannot match. The transition may not be smooth. Hackers, regulators, and banks all play roles in shaping the outcome.
Still, Collins is betting on progress. He believes the incentives are too strong and the advantages too great. By the end of this decade, money itself may feel the same in your hand, but its foundation could be completely digital and blockchain based.
