A global survey conducted by YouGov across 15 countries among 4, 658 crypto users found that stablecoins are no longer confined to trading desks and crypto-native users and are increasingly being used to earn income and cover everyday expenses.

The survey, commissioned by the payments infrastructure provider, BVNK, in partnership with Coinbase and Artemis, in order to examine stablecoin usage patterns among existing and prospective crypto users, revealed that a growing number of respondents said they receive part or all of their income in stablecoins, reflecting a shift from speculative use cases toward practical financial activity.

The report indicates that stablecoins are becoming embedded in:

  • payroll flows,

  • cross-border contractor payments and

  • business settlements.

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The survey highlights that many users are not simply holding stablecoins as a hedge against volatility but are actively spending them. Respondents reported using stablecoins for routine purchases, bills and peer-to-peer transfers, signaling broader mainstream adoption.

  • 1 in 4 (28%) convert or spend stablecoins within days.

  • 23% convert or spend within 1-3 weeks

  • 16% convert or spend within 1-2 months

The survey also found that:

  • 77% would open a stablecoin wallet with a primary bank or fintech provider if offered

  • 3 in 4 (71%) are interested in using a stablecoin-linked debit card

BVNK’s data points to particular momentum in regions where local currencies face volatility or where access to traditional banking rails is limited or expensive. In such markets, stablecoins offer faster settlement, lower transaction costs and easier access to US dollar–denominated value.

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The firm noted that businesses are also integrating stablecoins into their payment stacks to streamline cross-border operations. By leveraging blockchain-based settlement, companies can reduce reliance on correspondent banking networks and shorten payment timelines from days to minutes.

The report found that,

  • For those who receive income in virtual assets, ~35% of their annual earnings are in stablecoins.

  • For those using stablecoins for cross-border transfers, ~40% report fee savings compared to traditional remittance methods.

  • Half of crypto holders have made a stablecoin purchase specifically because a merchant accepts stables while 60% in emerging markets did so.

  • 28% have used stables for a major or lifestyle purchase while 42% want to do so.

  • 60% of respondents in middle-and-lower-income economies hold stablecoins compared to 45% in high-income economies.

  • Africa (Nigeria and South Africa) recorded the highest stablecoin ownership rate at 79% and the strongest forward intent at 76%

In terms of preferences,

  • Respondents tend to hold a range of dollar and Euro-pegged stablecoins over relying on one issuer suggesting balance maintenance across multiple tokens

  • 46% prefer managing stablecoins on selected exchange platforms

  • 40% prefer to manage their stables on payment apps with crypto features like Venmo or PayPal

  • 39% prefer to use crypto wallet apps for stablecoin management

  • Only 13% prefer to hold stablecoins on a hardware wallet

  • Low and middle income economies tilt slightly more toward payment apps and mobile crypto wallets, but exchanges still lead

While trading and DeFi activity remain significant drivers of stablecoin volume, the survey underscores a noticeable expansion into real-world use cases. Payroll, remittances and merchant payments are emerging as key growth areas.

BVNK said the findings reflect a broader maturation of the stablecoin ecosystem where digital dollars are increasingly functioning as a payment rail rather than just a trading instrument.

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