Global Study Shows Stablecoins Rising as Payment Tool
A global survey finds dollar-pegged tokens increasingly used for payments, savings, and cross-border income.
Stablecoins are rapidly evolving beyond their role as trading tools, emerging as a practical financial instrument for everyday transactions, savings, and international payments, according to a new global industry study.
The Stablecoin Utility Report 2026, published by BVNK in partnership with Coinbase and Artemis, draws on a YouGov survey of 4,658 adults across 15 countries. It highlights how a market now exceeding $300 billion in total stablecoin supply is increasingly integrated into personal finance and business activity worldwide.
Designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with fiat currencies, most commonly the U.S. dollar, stablecoins such as Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC have grown into a cornerstone of digital payments infrastructure. While trading remains a major use case, the report suggests their role is expanding rapidly into daily financial life.
Stablecoins Move Into Savings and Personal Finance
More than half of survey respondents said they held stablecoins within the past year, and 56% plan to acquire more over the next 12 months. Among non-holders, 13% said they intend to start using them, signaling continued adoption momentum.
The study also found that stablecoins are becoming a meaningful component of personal balance sheets. On average, holders reported allocating roughly one-third of their total savings to crypto and stablecoins combined.
Usage patterns vary significantly by region. Adoption is strongest in low- and middle-income economies, where currency volatility and limited access to efficient cross-border payments make stablecoins particularly attractive. Africa recorded the highest ownership rates and strongest forward intent to increase holdings.
“Stablecoins are being used in the real world because they solve real-world problems. People are already getting paid and spending stablecoins, especially where traditional payments are slow, expensive, or unreliable. They’re using them like everyday money.”
— Chris Harmse, co-founder of BVNK
Spending, Payments, and Merchant Demand
The report indicates that stablecoins are not just being stored—they are actively circulating.
Among holders:
- 27% spend stablecoins directly on goods and services
- 45% convert them into local currency for purchases
- More than one-quarter transact within days, and about two-thirds do so within months
Merchant demand is also growing. 52% of respondents said they made a purchase specifically because a business accepted stablecoins, suggesting consumer interest may be outpacing current merchant infrastructure.
Across spending categories—from everyday purchases to larger lifestyle expenses—desired use exceeded current usage, pointing to unmet demand for wider acceptance.
Cross-Border Workers and Income Streams
For freelancers, gig workers, and online sellers, stablecoins are becoming an essential payment rail rather than a niche tool.
Among respondents receiving payments in stablecoins:
- Tokens accounted for about 35% of annual earnings on average
- Nearly three-quarters said stablecoins improved their ability to work with international clients
- Around 75% of marketplace sellers reported higher sales or expanded customer bases
Cost efficiency remains a central driver. Users receiving crypto payments or remittances reported average fee savings of roughly 40% compared with traditional remittance and payment systems.
Lower transaction costs, improved security, and seamless international transfers ranked as the top reasons for choosing stablecoins over conventional financial services.
“In many emerging economies, people have adopted stablecoins out of necessity,” said John Turner, Group Product Manager for stablecoins at Coinbase. “What’s changing now is that people in developed markets are starting to feel the same frustrations with money movement. They want payments that are instant, global and low-cost. As regulation develops across the US, UK, and Europe, stablecoins are increasingly being seen as a practical upgrade to existing payment systems, rather than a niche crypto product.”
Adoption Barriers Still Persist
Despite accelerating usage, the report identifies several friction points limiting the next phase of adoption.
The most common concerns include:
- Irreversible transactions and risk of losing funds
- Complex transaction processes
- Confusion around blockchain networks and wallet management
Users also expressed a desire for stablecoin payments to resemble mainstream financial tools, including universal merchant acceptance, transparent fees, and stronger consumer protections.
Regulatory Momentum and Market Outlook
The findings arrive as regulatory clarity begins to take shape in key markets, particularly in the United States.
Following the signing of the GENIUS Act, policymakers are working toward a comprehensive federal crypto framework that includes rules for dollar-backed tokens. Industry participants say debates around stablecoin yields and compliance structures remain unresolved, with pressure mounting to finalize regulations ahead of upcoming political milestones.
As legal frameworks evolve and payment infrastructure matures, stablecoins may increasingly shift from speculative assets to everyday financial tools. For many users—especially those navigating costly, slow, or unreliable payment systems—they are already functioning as a digital form of cash: borderless, programmable, and increasingly embedded in daily economic life.
