AI tokens and stablecoins outperform in 2026 slump as USDC hits $78B supply

AI-focused tokens and stablecoins have been more resilient than most crypto sectors in 2026, even as Bitcoin is down 18.5% and the total market falls to $2.42 trillion. In Q1/2026, the AI sector had the smallest decline at 14%, while stablecoin market cap reached a record $320 billion on March 23 and monthly volumes hit $1.8 trillion in February. Data also shows USDC supply at $78 billion and AI usage metrics such as ChatGPT weekly active users rising to 900 million in March 2026.