Nearly Half of APAC Consumers Open to Stablecoin Use Within Five Years

Nearly half of consumers across 14 Asia-Pacific markets said they may use stablecoins within five years, showing interest in applying digital assets to payments, transfers and everyday purchases.

The study covered 14,250 consumers ages 18 to 65, with fieldwork conducted in June and July 2026. Forty-six percent said they were likely to use stablecoins during the period, compared with 16% who had used them in the previous 12 months.

Another 49% said stablecoins could become a common way to move money across borders within five years. Respondents identified uses ranging from e-commerce and spending while traveling to international purchases and money transfers.

Interest exceeded understanding. While 66% of respondents said they were aware of stablecoins, only 6% accurately understood how they work. Among respondents who knew about stablecoins, 49% believed they could be used only to buy or sell other cryptocurrencies.

Fraud and scams were the most frequently cited barrier among aware respondents who had never used stablecoins, at 38%. Another 36% pointed to a lack of understanding.

Government or central-bank-linked entities were the most trusted potential providers, selected by 27% of respondents. Banks and regulated financial institutions followed at 26%.

Awareness was highest in Hong Kong at 84%, followed by India at 80% and Thailand at 77%. Intent to use stablecoins was highest in Vietnam and India, where 67% of respondents in each market said they were likely to use them.

“We’re seeing a meaningful shift in how consumers across Asia Pacific think about stablecoins,” said Nischint Sanghavi, Visa’s head of digital currencies for Asia Pacific.

“Consumers want stablecoins to feel like a natural part of the payments they already trust, not a separate system,” Sanghavi said.