Asia-Pacific Consumers Show Growing Interest in Stablecoins for Everyday Use

Consumer interest in stablecoins is rising across the Asia-Pacific region, according to a recent survey by Visa. The survey, conducted between June and July 2026, polled 14,250 consumers across 14 markets, revealing that awareness and practical use of stablecoins are growing in areas like everyday spending, travel, and cross-border money transfers.

Despite this growing interest, misconceptions remain widespread. Nearly half of the respondents believe stablecoins are only useful for buying or selling other cryptocurrencies. To turn this interest into everyday utility, the survey suggests making stablecoins easier to understand and use through trusted, regulated payment experiences. Currently, only 6% of consumers demonstrate an accurate understanding of how stablecoins work.

Interest in using stablecoins for everyday purchases, travel spending, and overseas shopping is on the rise. The survey found that 46% of consumers are likely to use stablecoins within the next five years, up from 16% who have used them in the past 12 months. Cross-border money movement is another potential area of growth, with 49% believing stablecoins could become a common way to move money across borders within five years.

Market-level findings show that Hong Kong (84%), India (80%), and Thailand (77%) have the highest awareness of stablecoins, while Vietnam (67%) and India (67%) show the strongest intent to use them within the next five years. The survey highlights the importance of making stablecoins available through secure payment experiences that consumers already recognize and trust.

Trust and understanding remain significant barriers. Among those aware of stablecoins but have never used them, 38% cite concerns about fraud or scams, and 36% point to a lack of understanding. Consumers show the strongest preference for regulated institutions, with government or central bank-linked entities (27%) and banks or regulated financial institutions (26%) ranking as the most trusted providers.