Stablecoins move from crypto curiosity to everyday currency, global survey shows

Stablecoins are evolving beyond trading tools and becoming a practical form of money for daily life.

The Stablecoin Utility Report, based on a YouGov survey of more than 4,600 current and prospective cryptocurrency users across 15 countries, points to a growing number of people receiving income and making purchases with cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a 1:1 value with traditional currency.

According to the survey, 39% of respondents said they now receive income in stablecoins, whether through employment, freelance work or cross-border payments. For those individuals, stablecoins represent about 35% of their annual earnings, suggesting that digital dollars are playing a meaningful role in household finances rather than serving as a speculative side asset.

“That's what we've set out to answer with this report. Stablecoins are being used in the real world because they solve real-world problems,” said Chris Harmse, co-founder of BVNK.

Spending activity is also on the rise. The report found that 27% of stablecoin holders use them for routine purchases, with users holding roughly $200 on average in their digital wallets for transactions. More than half of crypto users surveyed said they have made a purchase specifically because a merchant accepted stablecoins.

Interest in integrating stablecoins with traditional financial services is strong. Seventy seven percent of respondents said they would open a stablecoin wallet if it were offered by their primary bank or fintech provider, while 71% indicated they would like a debit card tied to their stablecoin balance.

Respondents cited lower transaction costs, enhanced security and global accessibility as leading reasons for using stablecoins. The findings suggest that for many users, the appeal lies less in ideology and more in efficiency — particularly in regions or use cases where conventional payment systems are costly or slow.

Taken together, the survey signals that stablecoins are increasingly functioning as everyday money, moving from the margins of the crypto ecosystem into mainstream financial behavior.