Nearly half of consumers in the Asia-Pacific region plan to use stablecoins within the next five years, according to research cited by Visa. The same findings show that 41% of surveyed consumers believe stablecoins always increase in value — a view that conflicts with the basic design of most dollar-pegged tokens.

The results point to growing consumer interest in digital currencies built to hold a stable value, particularly as people explore alternatives to traditional payment systems. At the same time, they reveal a significant knowledge gap around how these assets actually work.

Asia-Pacific is home to some of the world's most active digital payment markets, which gives the findings relevance well beyond the region.

Strong Interest in Stable-Value Digital Currencies

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies typically pegged to assets such as the US dollar. Their purpose is generally to provide more predictable value than volatile digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. These tokens can support everyday payments, international transfers and other financial transactions. Dollar-pegged tokens such as Tether's USDT and Circle's USDC are among the most widely used examples.

The reported interest suggests that stablecoin adoption in Asia-Pacific could expand as digital payment services become more accessible. Established payment networks are paying attention: Visa began piloting stablecoin settlement in USDC in 2021.

Visa Research Finds 41% Misunderstand Stablecoin Prices

According to the research, 41% of surveyed consumers believe stablecoins always go up in value. That belief conflicts with the basic purpose of most stablecoins.

Unlike Bitcoin, which can experience substantial price swings, a dollar-pegged stablecoin is generally designed to trade close to $1. Its main function is to maintain a relatively stable price, not to deliver profits through continuous appreciation.

Stablecoins can still fluctuate in value, and some have lost their pegs during periods of market stress. TerraUSD's collapse in 2022 and the temporary loss of USDC's dollar peg in March 2023 are widely documented examples of pegs coming under pressure. The misconception identified in Visa's research raises questions about whether consumers fully understand the products they are considering, and it highlights why financial education could become increasingly important as more people explore stablecoin payments.
The findings were highlighted in a post on X by Cointelegraph:

BIG: Nearly half of Asia-Pacific consumers plan to use stablecoins within five years, yet 41% think they always go up in value, per Visa. pic.twitter.com/kMchRzuO6D
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) October 10, 2026

What Rising Stablecoin Adoption in Asia-Pacific Could Mean

The contrast between consumer interest and financial understanding is one of the most important takeaways from the findings. While nearly half of surveyed consumers express an intention to use stablecoins, that does not mean the same proportion will become active users. Actual adoption will depend on factors including regulatory clarity, access to reliable services, transaction costs and consumer trust.

Regulatory clarity is already developing in parts of the region: Singapore introduced a stablecoin regulatory framework in 2023, Hong Kong enacted a dedicated stablecoin ordinance in 2025, and Japan has permitted fiat-backed stablecoins under revised payment services rules since 2023. How these frameworks evolve, and how firms align with them, is likely to shape the stablecoin services available to consumers across Asia-Pacific.

The finding that 41% misunderstand stablecoin price behavior also suggests that awareness campaigns may need to focus on basic concepts such as pegging, reserves and depegging risks.

For banks, payment providers and crypto platforms, the research points to potential demand for stablecoin-based services. But adoption in the region will require more than consumer enthusiasm; understanding how these digital assets work is equally important.

Visa's findings underline a striking reality: interest in stablecoins is growing, even as misconceptions about their value remain widespread.