Survey Reveals 39% of Users Now Earn in Stablecoins
A global study released on February 17, 2026, by payments firm BVNK shows a fundamental shift in how cryptocurrency users interact with stablecoins. According to the Stablecoin Utility Report, which surveyed 4,600 users across 15 countries, 39% of respondents now receive income in stablecoins. This includes salaries, freelance payments, and cross-border remittances. For this group, stablecoin income represents a substantial one-third (35%) of their total annual earnings. The report highlights that this adoption is driven by practical benefits, as users paid in stablecoins reported an average fee saving of 40% compared to traditional remittance methods.
Stablecoins are being used in the real world because they solve real-world problems. People are already getting paid and spending stablecoins, especially where traditional payments are slow, expensive, or unreliable.
— Chris Harmse, co-founder of BVNK.
Emerging Markets Lead Adoption as 77% of Users Demand Bank Integration
The trend is most pronounced in emerging economies, where 60% of crypto-native respondents hold stablecoins, a figure that climbs to 79% in Africa. This adoption is largely driven by necessity, providing a hedge against local currency volatility and circumventing inefficient financial infrastructure. In contrast, 45% of users in high-income economies hold stablecoins, though their average holding is significantly larger at around $1,000 compared to $85 in emerging markets. This data, coupled with a 500% increase in stablecoin supply over the past five years, points to a behavioral tipping point.
Crucially, the demand for better usability and integration is universal. The survey found that 77% of all users would open a stablecoin wallet if their primary bank or fintech app offered one, and 71% are interested in a debit card linked to their stablecoin balance. This signals a clear opportunity for traditional financial institutions to meet existing consumer demand. John Turner, Group Product Manager at Coinbase, noted that frustrations with slow and costly legacy payment systems are no longer confined to developing nations, suggesting stablecoins are positioned to become a practical upgrade for global payment infrastructure.
