Visa Study Shows Strong Stablecoin Interest in Asia Pacific

Visa's latest research reveals a growing interest in stablecoins among consumers in the Asia Pacific region. Nearly half of the consumers surveyed (46%) expressed a likelihood of using stablecoins within the next five years, compared to just 16% who have used them in the past year. The study highlights potential use cases beyond crypto trading, such as everyday online purchases, travel spending, and cross-border transfers.

Despite this rising interest, misconceptions about stablecoins remain widespread. Close to half of the respondents (49%) still believe that stablecoins can only be used to buy or sell other cryptocurrencies. Additionally, 41% incorrectly assume that stablecoins always increase in value. Nischint Sanghavi, Head of Digital Currencies at Visa Asia Pacific, emphasized the need to make stablecoins more understandable and accessible through trusted payment experiences.

Stablecoin awareness is now mainstream, with 66% of consumers in the region aware of them. However, only 6% demonstrate an accurate understanding of how stablecoins work. Trust issues persist, with 38% of aware but non-using consumers citing concerns about fraud or scams, and 36% pointing to a lack of understanding. The study found that consumers prefer regulated institutions, such as government-linked entities or banks, as the most trusted providers of stablecoin services.

Visa is actively working with banks and regulated financial institutions to integrate stablecoin capabilities into familiar payment systems. The Visa Stablecoin Platform, for instance, helps clients mint, move, and manage stablecoins securely. According to Nischint Sanghavi, the goal is to connect emerging stablecoin technology with the secure, familiar payment experiences consumers rely on every day.