A new survey conducted by BVNK and research group YouGov found that 39% of cryptocurrency users receive income in stablecoins, while 27% use them for everyday payments. The primary reasons cited were low transaction fees and fast cross-border transfers.
The survey included 4,658 respondents across 15 countries and was conducted in September–October 2025. Participants were adults who either already own cryptocurrencies or plan to acquire them.
Globally, stablecoin users hold an average balance of around $200. In high-income countries, that figure rises to approximately $1,000. Among those who receive wages in stablecoins, such assets account for roughly 35% of their annual income.
Using stablecoins for cross-border transfers can reduce costs by approximately 40% compared to traditional remittance services. More than half of respondents said they made a purchase specifically because a merchant accepted stablecoins. In developing economies, that figure climbs to 60%.
Meanwhile, 42% of respondents expressed interest in using stablecoins for large or lifestyle purchases, compared to 28% who currently do so.
Emerging Markets Lead Stablecoin Adoption
Stablecoin ownership is significantly higher in middle- and low-income countries, where 60% of respondents reported holding them, compared to 45% in high-income economies. Africa recorded the highest ownership rate at 79%, along with the strongest year-over-year growth.
A spokesperson for BVNK noted that the study focused on understanding usage patterns among existing and prospective crypto users, rather than measuring adoption at the general population level.
Respondents typically hold multiple stablecoins pegged to the U.S. dollar or the euro, suggesting diversification across issuers rather than reliance on a single provider.
Banks And Exchanges Compete For Stablecoin Users
The survey found that 77% of respondents would open a stablecoin wallet with their primary bank or fintech provider if such services were available. Additionally, 71% showed interest in using a debit card linked to stablecoin balances.
When choosing where to manage their assets, 46% preferred crypto exchanges, 40% favored payment apps with crypto features such as PayPal or Venmo, and 39% selected mobile crypto wallets. Only 13% said they would store stablecoins on a hardware wallet.
London-based BVNK, founded in 2021, operates as a payment infrastructure provider focused on stablecoins. In June, the company partnered with San Francisco–based Highnote to integrate stablecoin-based financing into embedded finance card programs.
Stablecoins are typically pegged 1:1 to fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar or euro, helping maintain price stability compared to more volatile cryptocurrencies.
According to DefiLlama, the stablecoin market is currently valued at $307.8 billion, up from $260.4 billion in July, reflecting continued expansion as both payments and wage use cases gain traction.
Perspective
From a macro-financial standpoint, the rise of stablecoin-based wages introduces structural shifts in how money circulates. Companies paying in stablecoins effectively rely on private issuers rather than traditional banks, echoing elements of historical free banking systems.
At the same time, the dominance of dollar-pegged stablecoins may reinforce the U.S. dollar’s global role, particularly in emerging markets. Whether stablecoins ultimately complement central bank digital currencies or compete with them remains one of the defining financial questions of the coming decade.
