Stablecoin Payments Surge as Fintechs Lag: BVNK Utility Report 2026

• Stablecoins are increasingly used for payroll, commerce, and cross-border payments, according to a global survey of 4,600 crypto users across 15 countries.
• 77% of stablecoin holders would open a wallet within their primary fintech or banking app, and 71% want a linked debit card.
• Demand to spend stablecoins exceeds actual usage, signaling a gap in merchant acceptance, UX design, and consumer protections.

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Stablecoins are rapidly moving beyond crypto-native trading activity and into everyday financial use, according to a new global study released Tuesday by stablecoin infrastructure provider BVNK. But while consumer adoption is accelerating, fintech platforms and banks risk missing the moment.

The Stablecoin Utility Report, based on a YouGov survey of 4,600 cryptocurrency users and prospective users across 15 countries, finds that stablecoins are increasingly being used for payroll, commerce, and cross-border payments. The research was conducted on behalf of BVNK in association with Coinbase and Artemis.

The data suggests that stablecoins are evolving into practical financial tools rather than speculative assets. Respondents reported using stablecoins to get paid, make purchases, and transfer money internationally, particularly in cases where traditional financial systems are perceived as slow, costly, or unreliable.

At the same time, the study highlights a widening gap between user demand and platform availability.

According to the survey, 77% of stablecoin holders said they would open a stablecoin wallet with their primary fintech or banking provider if one were offered. Additionally, 71% expressed interest in using a debit card linked to their stablecoin balance for everyday spending.

Chris Harmse, co-founder of BVNK, said the report aims to shift the focus from macro-level market statistics to practical usage.

“When we talk about stablecoins, we hear the macro numbers: hundreds of billions in market cap, trillions in annual transaction volume,” Harmse said. “But how are people actually using them? And how can platforms embrace this?”

He added that the findings show stablecoins are already facilitating real-world payments, especially in regions where traditional payment rails fall short. However, user expectations remain high.

The report found that while interest in spending stablecoins is strong, actual spending still trails intent. Respondents indicated that broader merchant acceptance, simplified user experience, security assurances, and consumer protections would be necessary before stablecoins become a mainstream payment method.

This gap presents both a challenge and an opportunity for financial platforms. The research suggests that users want stablecoin payments to mirror traditional payment experiences in terms of usability and reliability. If fintech firms and banks fail to integrate stablecoin functionality into their apps and services, they may cede ground to crypto-native platforms that do.

The findings arrive at a time when regulatory clarity around stablecoins continues to develop in multiple jurisdictions, and as payment providers explore tokenized settlement systems. Stablecoins, which are typically pegged to fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar, are designed to offer price stability while enabling faster and potentially lower-cost transfers across borders.

The survey’s global scope, covering 15 countries, underscores that this trend is not confined to a single market. Instead, it reflects a broader shift in how digital assets are being used for payments rather than solely for trading or investment.

The report positions stablecoins as infrastructure rather than innovation hype. With millions of users signaling readiness to adopt integrated stablecoin wallets and debit functionality, financial platforms face a strategic decision: build the rails now or risk losing relevance in digital payments.

As Harmse noted, stablecoins are already moving real money. The next phase may depend on whether mainstream financial providers decide to move with them.

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Editorial Note: This news article has been written with assistance from AI. Edited & fact-checked by the Editorial Team.

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