Crypto's $300 billion stablecoin supply is increasingly used as 'everyday money,' global study finds

Stablecoins are shifting from a crypto trading tool to an everyday financial instrument, with users allocating a growing share of their savings and income to dollar-pegged tokens, according to a new global study from BVNK conducted in partnership with Coinbase and Artemis.

Findings from The Stablecoin Utility Report 2026, based on a YouGov survey of 4,658 adults across 15 countries, posits that more than $300 billion in stablecoin market capitalization is increasingly used for payments, payroll, and savings alongside trading activity.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, typically by being pegged 1:1 to fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar and backed by reserves or other collateral. These dollar-tied tokens have a circulating supply of around $300 billion, led by Tether's (USDT) and Circle's (USDC), according to The Block's data dashboard.

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Savings

More than half of respondents said they have held stablecoins in the past 12 months, and 56% intend to acquire more over the next year. Among non-owners, 13% plan to start. Momentum also appears on the rise as half of the current holders increased their balances over the past year.

Stablecoins are capturing a more meaningful slice of personal balance sheets, too. On average, holders said they allocate roughly one-third of their total savings to crypto and stablecoins combined.
Moreover, people in places with more volatile local currencies or less reliable cross-border payment services are more incentivized to use stablecoins. The mean allocation was higher in low- and middle-income economies than in high-income markets, according to the study.

Ownership rates in the survey were also higher in low- and middle-income economies than in high-income ones, with Africa leading. Indeed, the region recorded the strongest forward intent to acquire more stablecoins. The data echoes a report from Standard Chartered, which estimated that as much as $1 trillion could ultimately migrate out of emerging market bank deposits into U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins.

Spending and cross-border finance

Spending behavior reinforces the idea that stablecoins are circulating rather than sitting idle. Among holders, 27% said they spend directly on goods and services, while 45% convert to local currency. More than a quarter convert or spend within days, and roughly two-thirds do so within a few months.

Demand for merchant acceptance appears to be outpacing supply. 52%t of holders said they have made a purchase specifically because a business accepted stablecoins. At the same time, desired spending exceeds current spending across every major category surveyed, including everyday purchases and large lifestyle expenses.

For cross-border workers, stablecoins are not marginal. Among freelancers, gig workers, and marketplace sellers who receive payments in stablecoins, the tokens account for about 35% of annual earnings on average. Nearly three-quarters said stablecoins have improved their ability to work with international clients, and three-quarters of marketplace sellers reported higher sales volumes or expanded customer bases.

Cost savings are a key driver. Respondents who receive payments or remittances in crypto, including stablecoins, reported saving an average of 40% in fees compared with traditional payment and remittance services. Lower transaction fees, better security, and the ability to transact internationally ranked as the top motivations for using stablecoins over other methods.

Roadblocks

Still, the report highlights friction points that still kneecap the next phase of adoption.

The most common frustrations include irreversible payments and risk of losing funds, too many steps to complete transactions, and confusion around blockchain selection and wallet management.

Users said they want stablecoin payments to mirror mainstream payment systems, with universal acceptance, clear fees, and stronger consumer protections.

If that connective layer materializes, stablecoins may increasingly function less like crypto assets and more like digital cash — programmable, borderless, and, for a growing cohort of users, simply money.

Regulatory advance

The findings arrive as regulatory clarity expands in several markets, especially in the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration.

After signing the GENIUS ACT into law, policymakers are negotiating a final federal framework for the crypto market that includes dollar-backed tokens. Disagreements around stablecoin yields abound, with industry sources saying the "clock is ticking" to get rules over the line before the midterm elections.