Catenaa, Wednesday, February 18, 2026- Stablecoins are increasingly being used as everyday financial instruments rather than solely for trading, with global holdings surpassing $300 billion, a new study shows.
The 2026 Stablecoin Utility Report, conducted by BVNK with Coinbase and Artemis, surveyed 4,658 adults across 15 countries.
Findings indicate that more than half of respondents held stablecoins in the past year, and 56% plan to acquire more.
Among non-owners, 13% intend to start holding the tokens. Users in low- and middle-income economies, particularly Africa, show the strongest adoption and intent to increase holdings.
Stablecoins are capturing a meaningful portion of personal balances, with holders allocating roughly one-third of savings to crypto and stablecoins combined.
Spending patterns show that 27% of users pay directly for goods and services with stablecoins, while 45% convert them into local currency.
Merchant acceptance drives demand, with over half of holders making purchases because stablecoins were accepted.
Freelancers and gig workers reported that stablecoins account for about 35% of annual earnings, with nearly 75% noting increased access to international clients and larger marketplaces.
Users also cited savings of around 40% on transaction fees compared with traditional remittance services.
Despite growth, friction points remain, including irreversible payments, complex transactions, and wallet management confusion.
Users expressed the need for stablecoins to operate more like conventional payment systems, with universal acceptance, transparent fees, and stronger consumer protections.
The findings coincide with the Trump administration’s push for regulatory clarity following the GENIUS ACT, as policymakers negotiate frameworks for dollar-backed tokens while debating stablecoin yield rules ahead of the midterms.
