Stablecoin Payments Gain Interest but Face Trust Barriers
A Visa-commissioned survey of 14,250 consumers across 14 Asia-Pacific markets found rising interest in stablecoin payments, alongside significant gaps in understanding and trust. Although 66% had heard of stablecoins, only 6% understood how they work. Some 46% said they were likely to use stablecoins within five years, while 16% had used them in the previous 12 months. Misconceptions remain common: 41% thought stablecoins always rise in value, and 49% of those familiar with them believed they were only for crypto trading.
Cross-border transfers could be a key growth area: 49% expect stablecoins to become a common way to move money internationally within five years. But fraud and scam concerns, cited by 38% of aware non-users, and a lack of understanding, cited by 36%, may limit adoption. Respondents placed most trust in government- or central-bank-linked providers and regulated financial institutions. Awareness was highest in Hong Kong, India and Thailand, while India and Vietnam led in adoption intent at 67% each.
Visa says it is expanding its stablecoin settlement network and working with banks and payment partners on services to issue, transfer and manage stablecoins. Partner Reap is preparing local-currency stablecoins for round-the-clock foreign-exchange settlement, potentially including Hong Kong dollars, won and yen. The survey points to long-term potential for stablecoin payments in Asia-Pacific, but consumer education, trust and protection will be central to wider adoption.
Neutral
The findings are broadly neutral for stablecoin prices and the wider crypto market. They point to potential long-term growth in payment use, particularly for cross-border transfers, and Visa’s settlement expansion and Reap’s planned local-currency stablecoins could support greater real-world usage. However, the survey reports consumer intentions and perceptions, not actual transaction growth or new demand for a specific token. No particular stablecoin or crypto asset is identified, so there is no clear direct price catalyst.
In the short term, traders may view the adoption figures as supportive of the stablecoin payments narrative, but the limited comprehension and concerns about fraud are likely to temper any market reaction. Historically, adoption surveys and corporate announcements tend to have less immediate price impact than launches, transaction data, regulatory decisions or concrete investment commitments. Over the longer term, clearer consumer protections, regulated payment services and increased settlement volumes could strengthen stablecoin utility and ecosystem activity. The survey alone, however, does not establish that those developments will occur, so the expected direct impact on any cryptocurrency’s price remains neutral.