A comprehensive global study released by payments platform BVNK, conducted in partnership with YouGov, Coinbase, and Artemis, reveals that stablecoins are rapidly transitioning from a niche crypto product to a mainstream tool for real-world financial transactions. The Stablecoin Utility Report surveyed over 4,600 early adopters and crypto-natives across 15 countries, uncovering significant adoption trends.
The data shows stablecoins are being used as everyday money. Key findings indicate that 39% of respondents receive payment in stablecoins, which represents about 35% of their annual earnings. Among those paid in stablecoins, 75% report an increased ability to conduct international business, and marketplace sellers saw a 76% improvement in sales volume. Users saved an average of 40% on fees compared to traditional remittance methods.
Furthermore, 27% of stablecoin holders use them for everyday payments, maintaining an average wallet balance of $200 for transactional purposes rather than savings. A striking 52% of crypto holders have made a purchase specifically because a merchant accepted stablecoins, a figure that rises to 60% in emerging markets.
Demand for stablecoin integration is high. The top reasons for using stablecoins are lower fees (30%), security (28%), and global access (27%). However, demand currently outpaces spending opportunities: 42% of consumers want to spend crypto and stablecoins on major purchases, but only 28% currently do. A significant 77% would open a stablecoin wallet if their personal bank or fintech app offered one, and 71% are interested in using a linked debit card to spend their stablecoins.
Adoption is driven by necessity in emerging markets and convenience in developed ones. The trend is particularly strong in South America, Asia, and Africa, where traditional money movement is often slow, expensive, or restricted. In Africa, 79% of crypto-native respondents hold stablecoins. In these regions, stablecoins serve as a vital tool for financial stability and inclusion.
Developed economies are also recognizing their potential. Close to 45% of cryptocurrency users in high-income economies hold stablecoins, with average holdings around $1,000 (compared to $85 in emerging markets). Regulatory frameworks in the US, UK, and Europe are evolving to enable this mainstream adoption.
"Stablecoins are being used in the real world because they solve real-world problems," said BVNK co-founder Chris Harmse. "People are already getting paid and spending stablecoins, especially where traditional payments are slow, expensive, or unreliable." John Turner, group product manager for stablecoins at Coinbase, noted the shift: "In many emerging economies, people have adopted stablecoins out of necessity. What’s changing now is that people in developed markets are starting to feel the same frustrations with money movement." Anthony Yim, co-founder and CEO of Artemis, highlighted the scale of growth, stating stablecoin supply has increased 500% over the past five years, signaling a tipping point for global adoption.
