Visa surveyed 14,250 individuals aged 18 to 65 across 14 Asia-Pacific markets between June and July 2026. The Visa Consumer 360 survey found that 46% of respondents plan to use stablecoins over the next five years. However, this adoption enthusiasm comes alongside a stark financial literacy gap.
Although 66% of respondents stated they were aware of stablecoins, only 6% demonstrated an accurate understanding of how they work. Further data showed that 41% of respondents mistakenly believe stablecoin values always rise - an assumption that undermines their core function as a fiat-pegged store of value.
The gap between interest and practice is also apparent in actual adoption: only 16% of respondents have used stablecoins in the past 12 months.
Fear Remains the Primary Barrier
Among respondents who are aware of stablecoins but have yet to try them, 38% opted out of transacting due to fears of falling victim to fraud or scams. Meanwhile, 36% admitted they do not understand how to use the technology.
The highest awareness levels were concentrated in three markets. Hong Kong led at 84%, followed by India at 80% and Thailand at 77%. In terms of future adoption potential, Vietnam and India showed the strongest interest, with 67% of respondents in both countries preparing to use stablecoins in the next five years.
The Visa survey also highlighted cross-border remittances as a key draw, with 49% of respondents expecting stablecoins to become a standard method for international transfers within the next five years.
Visa’s Institutional Focus
Anticipating market momentum, Visa launched the Visa Stablecoin Platform in July. This institutional-grade service enables entities such as banks, fintech firms, and crypto businesses to mint, hold, transfer, and redeem their own stablecoins.
The new infrastructure boosted the company’s payments performance, lifting stablecoin-linked card transaction volume by nearly 200% year-over-year. Across fiscal year 2026, the commercial and business segment accounted for 17% of Visa’s total stablecoin card volume.
Visa’s stablecoin settlement rate also expanded rapidly, surpassing the $20 billion annualized run rate mark as of September.
The Uphill Battle of Market Education
The Asia-Pacific market boasts strong momentum for shifting toward crypto payments. However, as long as the public continues to mistake stablecoins for speculative assets that will continually appreciate, fears of fraud will keep the majority of prospective users on the sidelines.
Reported via crypto.news.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
