Visa, the global digital payments giant, has published survey data showing that consumers across Asia Pacific are warming to stablecoins for practical purposes, though poor understanding and trust concerns still threaten to stall wider uptake.

The research found that 46% of consumers in the region expect to use stablecoins within five years, far above the 16% who report having used them over the last year. Appetite stretches to online shopping, travel and purchases made abroad, suggesting the asset class could find a role outside speculation and crypto trading.

Almost half (49%) of respondents also think stablecoins could become a mainstream method of sending money internationally within five years, a signal of potential relevance for remittances and other cross-border payment needs.

Knowledge, however, lags behind enthusiasm. Some 49% of consumers who know about stablecoins assume their only function is trading other cryptocurrencies. While 66% of respondents across Asia Pacific have heard of stablecoins, a mere 6% could accurately explain how they work, and 41% wrongly assume their value always rises.

At market level, Hong Kong led on awareness at 84%, followed by India at 80% and Thailand at 77%. Vietnam and India each recorded 67% intent to use stablecoins over the coming five years, the highest in the region.

Trust remains a significant hurdle. Among consumers who know about stablecoins but have not used them, 38% are worried about fraud or scams and 36% say they lack sufficient understanding. Respondents favour regulated providers, ranking government or central bank-linked bodies (27%) and banks or regulated financial institutions (26%) as the most trustworthy sources.

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